Innovative Approaches to Water Quality and Conservation in the Greenhouse Industry

Abstract

Most greenhouse operations are inefficient in their use of water and fertilizer. As water conservation and prevention of fertilizer runoff become more important, growers may have to switch to alternative means of watering and fertilizing their plants. There is a variety of more efficient alternatives available. Some of these can be implemented in existing greenhouses with very little investment, while other methods require a significant capital investment. The advantages and disadvantages of the most common watering systems are addressed here. Some promising alternative irrigation methods for commercial greenhouses will be discussed. Because there is a wide variety of greenhouses in Georgia, not all these alternatives will be suitable for all growers. However, virtual all greenhouse operators should be able to reduce their water use and decrease the potential of fertilizer runoff using some of these techniques