Berries in Uruguay

Many growers use sprinkler irrigation on berries and other crops for frost/freeze protection to temperatures as low as 22-degrees Fahrenheit. As the temperature drops below freezing, the water sprayed on the plants starts to freeze. Heat is released as the applied water changes to ice (80 calories of heat energy are released as 1 gram of water freezes). The heat absorbed by the plant can be enough to keep the plant above the freezing point if air temperatures don’t drop too low.

Blueberries in Florida

The application rate must be adequate to provide enough heat to protect the crop. Irrigation should continue until the ice is melting and loose. This usually occurs soon after the morning sun hits the crops.

Xcel-Wobblers

Irrigation for frost protection is usually done with sprinklers mounted above the crop canopy. The Senninger Xcel-Wobbler is ideal for frost protection because it:

  • has only one moving part for durability
  • constant rotary action helps prevent ice build-up
  • delivers a uniform pattern of consistent-sized droplet over a large area instantaneously
  • operates at very low pressure so that large zones can be protected at one time

Sprinkler irrigation is just one means of frost protection. However, success of any frost protection method depends on many factors including temperature, duration of low temperatures, humidity, and wind.

To see a video of the Xcel-Wobbler go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apSBnM5jrcQ&feature=related.

For more information about Xcel-Wobblers, contact Senninger Irrigation at info@senninger.com or visit www.senninger.com.

For additional reading:

“Frost Protection with Sprinkler Irrigation” by Arthur W. Selders, State Extension Specialist Agricultural Engineering, Cooperative Extension Service, West Virginia.

“Frost/Freeze Protection for Horticultural Crop” by Katharine B. Perry, Ph.D., Extension Agricultural Meteorologist, Dept of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, North Carolina State University