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In this high-tech era, more and more growers are embracing greenhouse crops. Roses are one of the leading greenhouse crops in Israel, grown hydroponically on volcanic rock or rockwool. NaanDanJain has installed systems that exploit recycled water for irrigation of greenhouse crops as well as nearby fields, orchards and plantations.
One of the recycling projects designed, supplied and installed by NaanDanJain is at Moshav Renen, in southern Israel. Runoff water from its greenhouses is recycled to irrigate the greenhouse roses, saving precious water and liquid fertilizers. The system also prevents puddles, weeds and other problems created by surplus water that has been left to waste. The growers of Moshav Renen, have saved a lot of money by recycling both water and fertilizers that were not absorbed by the plants in the first irrigation.
Under the hydroponic system, water and nutrients are absorbed directly by the roots during irrigation. Surplus water and fertilizer do not accumulate in the soilless substrate, creating a runoff of up to 40%. The crops are irrigated up to 5 to 6 times a day, reaching 1.2 m3/ha, thereby creating a surplus of about 0.4 m3/ha.
NaanDanJain recommends construction of a small tank at the end of the greenhouse, wherever possible. Runoff is collected in this tank, and a pump returns water and nutrients to the greenhouse, or pushes them out into drip laterals which irrigate vineyards, plantations or any other nearby crop.
The water that is pumped from the tank is continuously tested by sensors to examine the water's salinity and pH. The recycled water quality is relayed to a special computer that reads the test results and dilutes the run-off with fresh water accordingly. |
