Published 2017-05-15
Abstract
Container plant irrigation run times should be adjusted daily to match plant water needs. However, this is difficult without the use of irrigation management tools such as CIRRIG (Container Irrigation) a web-based program that uses plant parameters and onsite weather to output daily irrigation application amounts. We developed a mobile device irrigation app based on CIRRIG principles; however, the app acquires weather data from FAWN (Florida Automated Weather Network) stations rather than a weather station onsite. Inputs include container size (trade #1 ≈ 2.4 L or trade #3 ≈ 10 L), container diameter, container spacing, spacing arrangement, plant canopy density, irrigation-capture ability, plant width, and irrigation application rate to obtain the irrigation run time, in minutes. Example screenshots are presented along with summary of workshops and irrigation run time determinations from producers of container-grown plants.