The document discusses irrigation for lettuce and green leaf crops. It notes that lettuce has a shallow root system and requires strict moisture management. Insufficient irrigation can negatively impact yields and quality, while too much irrigation can also reduce quality. The NaanDan Jain IrriStand system is highlighted as optimizing irrigation by simulating light rain with low flow sprinklers and uniform distribution to meet crop needs. It maintains soil aeration while providing water and nutrients specifically tailored to the shallow root system of lettuce.

1. I R R I G A T I O N
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2. 2
About Lettuce and Green-leave Crops
• Lettuce is one of the most common crops, grown in many
areas and in a variety of species, shapes and sizes.
• Lettuce, like other green-leave crops, is characterized by
a shallow root system that requires strict irrigation regime
and control.
• Moisture management throughout the growing season is
a critical factor for the production of commercial quality
lettuce and green leaves. Even relatively short periods of
inadequate soil moisture can adversely affect the crop.
• Lettuce yields can reach up to 50-70 ton/hectare, depending
on the type of species, number of growth cycles and soil
conditions.
• Duration of growth on soil: in the autumn - 60-90 days,
in the summer - 21-30 days.
Climate control
• The lettuce plant is most suitable to climate conditions
with a moderate temperature of 13-16 C˚.
• During germination, it requires temperature of 7-24 C˚.
• Short days are ideal for growing lettuce. A day that lasts
over 12 hours causes the lettuce to bloom.
Soil
• Neutral light soil (PH-7) or acidic soil characteristics are
preferable, but commercial yields can be achieved also in
heavy soil conditions.
• The lettuce is sensitive to cold and salinity. Water with an
EC of 1.3 or less should be used for irrigation.
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3. 3
Irrigation of Lettuce and Green Leaves
Irrigation aims to avoid water stress especially during
the formation of the harvest plant part.
Crop water stress can occur when the soil moisture is
excessive, or when it’s deficient. When O2 concentration
levels in the soil atmosphere are lowered due to
displacement by water for an extended period of time,
severe damage to the root system can occur.
Lettuce and green-leave plants are especially susceptible
to water stress due to their shallow root systems.
Water stress can lead to two main symptoms:
• Poor yields and poor product quality (in terms of firmness,
head size, color) due to damage caused to the head lettuce.
• Rot at the base of the roots.
Moisture deficiencies occurring early in the crop cycle may
delay maturity season and reduce yields.
Shortages later in the season often lower quality as well
as yields. However, irrigation surplus, especially late in the
season, can reduce quality and post harvest life of the crop.
Uneven or surplus irrigation, above the amount required
to replace evapotranspiration, cause N leaching below the
root system and crop recoveries of N decreased.
Efficient water use, meaning: irrigation scheduling,
high water distribution uniformity and light precipitation
rate that will help avoiding stress conditions.
Irrigation scheduling
• An irrigation threshold of 20-30% soil water deficit should
be targeted to avoid water stress. If using tensiometers,
10 to 25 centibars should be used to trigger irrigation
according to soil type.
• Otherwise, irrigate every 1-3 days.
• During hot weather it is preferable to pulse irrigate in order
to preserve high humidity
Water requirement calculation:
Water requirement = daily ET (Evapotranspiration) x crop factor.
Range of crop factor is 0.25-0.9
The crop factor is related to canopy coverage:
Canopy coverage = Ca x Cb
Ca= coverage between plants (%)
Cb= coverage between rows (%)
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Typical curve of water consumption vs. growing stage
4.0
harvest
3.5
3.0
Daily water use mm
2.5
2.0 beginning
of head
1.5
1.0 5 cm
0.5
0
0 4 8 12 16
Date
Lettuce head size Vs. water quantity
16
15
14
Head size (cm)
13
12
11
10
0.65 0.70 0.75 0.80 0.85 0.90
Water application depth (ml/ha)
Irrigated performance and potential agronomic gains through
improved uniformity*
Crop Irrigation Region AE Measured Seasonal Potential
system DU irrigation agronomic gain
ML/ha/yr if DU > 90%
Lettuce solid set Lockyer Valley 80-100% 70% 1.1 13%
*Source: Scott A. Barber, Steven R. Raine and Evan J. Howard
Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Ltd. Brisbane, Australia.
National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, USQ, Toowoomba, Australia
Fertilizers
Potash and Phosphate recommended at season start
Nitrate during the growing season
The fertilizers based on Nitrate help to minimize tip burn.
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5. 5
NaanDan Jain Irrigation Systems
High investment costs are associated with producing green-
leave crops. The selection of the most suitable irrigation
system and its management is crucial for success. NaanDan
Jain offers two main systems for optimal irrigation: IrriStand
and Amirit.
IrriStand system
The IrriStand system for lettuce and green leaves is a low-
flow sprinkler that simulates light rain. Based on a flexible
in-and-out solid-set PE system, the system successfully
meets all crop development stages and requirements:
• Germination
• Uniform irrigation
(while maintaining soil aeration conditions)
• Continuous application of nitrogen
• Micro-climate
• Soil erosion prevention
• Frost protection
Main system advantages
• Low precipitation rate
• High efficiency and uniform water
distribution
• Full control over wetted profile
• Availability of optimal moisture and nutrients
IrriStand laying operation
for the root system
• Increase of lettuce production up to
70 ton/ha, according to the different varieties
and season
High distribution uniformity and low application rate,
at frequent irrigation cycles, provide maximum control
and monitoring of the wetted and aerated soil profile,
which is essential for the lettuce shallow root system.
• Low application rate (3-5 mm/h): allows optimal
absorption of water into the soil, no run-off even on slopes.
• Low droplet impact: preserves soil structure and prevents
crust formation to allow perfect germination and
development.
• Short irrigation cycles: prevents stress caused by water
surplus; provides optimal growing conditions with highly
accessible moisture and nutrients in a controlled wetted
and aerated soil profile; no nitrate leaches below the root
zone and leakage into the groundwater.
Amirit system
Based on the IrriStand concept, Amirit is a solid-set system
including 50 mm PE pipes with 10-12 meter segments. The
system is flexible, portable and easy to operate.
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6. 6
Sprinklers for IrriStand and Amirit
Systems
NaanDan Jain developed a wide range of sprinklers
for the irrigation of lettuce and green leaves.
Characterized by their sturdy construction, corrosion
resistance and extremely high water distribution,
they respond to the specific field conditions.
Super 10 Amirit system installation
• Compact ball-driven sealed mechanism
for spacing up to 12m
• Available with flow regulator
5022-U
• Impact sprinkler for spacing up to 12m
• Reliable at low-pressure conditions
• Available with flow regulator
Maestro
• Sprinkler for wide spacing of up to 15m.
• Based on Variable Trajectory Drive for maximal
uniform coverage and close-in watering.
• Designed to operate under windy conditions
(up to 2.0 m/sec, 7.2 km/h). Under stronger wind
conditions reduced spacing is recommended.
• Is used with PVC risers and Amirit system.
Non-drainage System
The addition of a “check valve” (PRC 4040)
to IrriStand & Amirit systems will result in
increased performance and avoid water
logging in low areas.
5022-U Super 10
5022 Super 10
assembled assembled Maestro
on on on Amirit
PRC 4040 PRC 4040
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7. 7
Agro-technical Considerations
Pesticide control
The IrriStand solid-set system enables complete flexibility
of irrigation timing and spraying.
In some cases, the sprinkler system can be used for
chemigation.
Temperature damage
During hot days season the CA++ uptake by the plant
decreases. Overhead irrigation with IrriStand helps to
minimize tipburn.
Fertigation
The high water distribution uniformity of the IrriStand
system ensures accurate application of fertilizers to
each square meter in the field.
System Comparison
IrriStand system vs. traditional sprinkler system and drip system
Traditional overhead Drip system IrriStand
sprinklers system NaanDan Jain
system
Precipitation rate (mm/hr) 12-15 8-10 (2-3 lateral per bed) 3-5
Droplet size medium not relevant small
Evaporative cooling effect medium none very effective
Soil crust happens often none none
Herbicide activation yes no yes
Germination 80-90% very difficult 100%
Fertilizers application metal component successful successful with
corrosion and leaks complete P.E. setup
N leaching common not common controlled and avoided
Oxygen status average to low average maximal
Blowing sand damage limited problematic none
Cost solid set - expensive expensive cheaper than drip
Portable - economical and aluminum solid set
Income and profit moderate good increased
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8. The NaanDan Jain IrriStand
1007 Studio NaanDan Jain P110902
system has revolutionized the
traditional sprinkler market.
Lettuce and green-leave
growers will achieve immediate
benefits from the system.
Contact your dealer or our
office for further information.
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THE IRRIGATION ASSOCIATION
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NaanDan Jain Irrigation (C.S.) Ltd.
Head Office: Post Naan 76829, Israel
Tel: 972-8-9442180 Fax: 972-8-9442190
E-mail: mkt@naandanjain.com
Dan site: Post Dan 12245, Israel
Tel: 972-4-6953811 Fax: 972-4-6953855
E-mail: export@naandanjain.com
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