Oregon producers, who grow about 85 percent of the nation’s carrot seeds, have cut water use in half by transitioning to drip from overhead sprinklers. Although more studies need to be done, growers also expect drip irrigation will reduce Xanthomonas, a bacterial pathogen that can be spread by sprinklers or splashing water.
Now more than 75 percent of the 4,000 acres of carrot seed in central Oregon is on drip. Plus, growers using drip also receive higher prices for their seed because quality and yield are more consistent than sprinkler-irrigated seed.
Oh, and drip irrigation is good for bees, too! Unlike sprinkler irrigation, drip allows bees to pollinate during irrigation. With sprinklers, splashing water doesn’t allow bees to pollinate during irrigation and you lose precious bee activity time.
Check out the above video to learn more about Oregon State University (OSU) and the benefits of drip irrigation on carrots and bee pollination.
