Irrigation Water for Greenhouses
Irrigation Water Testing and Analysis
Water quality target parameters include physical, chemical, and microbial properties. Physical properties include suspended solids such as soil particles. Suspended solids such as soil particles are potential problems since these particulates can clog irrigation nozzles and cause abrasion of irrigation equipment. Chemical properties are typically given the most focus when dealing with irrigation water. From the grower’s standpoint, the most critical chemical water quality parameters are soluble salts, hardness, sodium and chloride concentration and pH. In a few cases, elements such as iron, boron and fluoride are also considered critical parameters. Microbial properties of interest include the presence of iron fixing bacteria, plant pathogens or algae.
Analysis Units
Laboratories will report values in different units depending on their protocol. Thus, it is often necessary to convert from one unit of measurement to another. Parts per million (ppm), milligrams per liter (mg/L), and milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) are numerically equivalent and interchangeable. If necessary, use Appendix B, Water Quality Conversion Table, to convert to other units of measure. Another unit which is often reported, milliequivalent weight (mg/meq), is a unit used to compare concentrations of ions with different atomic weights and charges.
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