strawberry

Strawberry Irrigation Solutions

NAIYAD Strawberry Irrigation — Precision for High-Value Crops

Strawberries are among the most profitable — and most water-sensitive — specialty crops in North America. They require precise, shallow-root irrigation and careful fertigation to maintain consistent fruit size, sweetness, and yield throughout the season. NAIYAD provides irrigation systems designed specifically for the unique physiology of strawberries, whether grown in open fields, plasticulture beds, or high-tunnels. Our systems balance water efficiency, disease prevention, and nutrient precision, ensuring growers can meet the demands of fresh market and processing buyers.

Why Precision Irrigation Matters for Strawberries

• Shallow root system: Most active roots are in the top 6–8 inches of soil, which means even short water deficits can stress plants.
• Yield & quality sensitivity: Moisture fluctuations can lead to irregular fruit size, poor firmness, and reduced shelf life.
• Disease risk: Over-irrigation or leaf wetting increases risk of crown rot, fruit rot, and mildew — a costly problem in high-value strawberry production.
• Nutrient leaching: Without controlled fertigation, soluble nutrients (especially nitrogen) can leach beyond the shallow root zone.

Recommended Irrigation Methods (NAIYAD Guidance)

1. Surface Drip Irrigation (Preferred): Drip lines or drip tape laid under plastic mulch are the standard in modern strawberry production.
   Advantages: Delivers water directly to the root zone, reduces weed pressure between rows, minimizes evaporation, and supports daily or multiple irrigations per day during peak demand.
   NAIYAD DripPro™ is available in thin-wall seasonal tape or durable multi-season tubing for multi-year plantings.
2. Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI): Installed 4–6 inches below the bed surface, SDI keeps the surface dry, reduces disease pressure, and allows easy access for harvest crews without disturbing the irrigation lines.
3. Micro-Sprinklers (Targeted Use): Used for pre-plant soil moisture conditioning, frost protection, or in nurseries. While effective for certain tasks, they are less efficient for in-season irrigation compared to drip.

Fertigation & Nutrient Management

• Daily or split applications via drip maximize nutrient uptake efficiency and minimize leaching.
• Key nutrients for strawberries — N, K, Ca, and micronutrients — should be supplied in smaller, more frequent doses.
• NAIYAD Fertigate™ allows precise dosing with EC and pH monitoring to protect against nutrient lock-up and salt stress.

Filtration, Pressure Regulation & Maintenance

• Use disc or screen filters matched to emitter specs; flush laterals regularly to prevent emitter clogging.
• Install pressure regulators to keep all beds irrigated evenly, especially in sloped fields.
• Maintain filters and flush lines weekly during peak season for consistent system performance.

Proven Benefits of NAIYAD Drip for Strawberries

• Uniform fruit size & quality — consistent water and nutrients improve market pack-out rates.
• Reduced disease pressure — by keeping foliage dry and preventing standing water.
• Higher water use efficiency — proven savings over sprinkler or furrow methods.
• Better nutrient efficiency — less leaching and more yield per unit of fertilizer applied.

NAIYAD Product & Service Highlights

• NAIYAD DripPro™ Tape & Tubing: Emitter spacing options to match any bed design.
• NAIYAD PC Inline Emitters: Pressure-compensating for uniform application across the block.
• NAIYAD Filtration Systems: Modular filtration solutions for well, surface, or reclaimed water sources.
• NAIYAD Fertigate™: Automated fertigation skid with remote monitoring.
• SoilSense™ + Cloud Control: Integrates soil moisture sensors and automation for precision scheduling.
• Custom Design & ROI Reporting: Engineered for maximum uniformity and tracked cost savings season after season.

Installation & Maintenance Quick Tips

• Always pre-flush new drip lines before planting.
• Check pressure at the farthest point to ensure uniform flow.
• Schedule preventive maintenance to avoid mid-season breakdowns.
• Winterize lines in frost-prone regions by draining and storing seasonal tape.