NOVAGRIC Projects
Efficient Irrigation Project for Avocado in Malaga (Spain) 🥑
This project is being developed on a family-run avocado farm, conceived as a new plantation following the producer’s previous experience on other larger farms.
The farm has 16 hectares planted and approximately two and a half years of development, in an area with favorable conditions for the crop, but where irrigation and temperature control are key to ensuring productivity.
Agronomic requirements of avocado cultivation
Avocado is a crop especially sensitive to:
- Low temperatures
- Heat stress in summer
- Irrigation imbalances
- Soil drainage problems
For this reason, the farm design has focused on ensuring: Well-drained soils, Uniform and balanced irrigation and Climate control systems
The predominant variety is Hass, accompanied by pollinator varieties such as Bacon and Zutano, which allow harvesting to be staggered from October to May depending on orientation and the conditions of each area.
Irrigation system and water strategy
Improving water distribution in the soil
One of the key lessons of the project has been adapting the irrigation system to improve tree development. The following measures were implemented:
- A greater number of irrigation lines per tree
- Lower-flow emitters
- A wider and more uniform distribution of the wetting bulb
This strategy has improved the vegetative performance of the crop and helped move toward a more water-efficient farm.
Water management through reservoir storage
The farm has a storage reservoir that is filled during winter to ensure water availability in summer, thus reducing pressure on water resources during peak demand periods.
Misting system for climate control
The project includes a misting system whose main function is to provide frost protection during cold events, reduce crop temperature in summer, and minimize fruit drop due to thermal stress.
This system helps stabilize the crop’s microclimatic conditions and improve production continuity.
Technical design of the irrigation system
Sectorization according to topography and soil type
The project design starts with a prior topographic survey, analyzing elevation differences, soil texture, and crop requirements.
Based on these parameters, irrigation sectorization is carried out, aiming to achieve the highest possible uniformity.
On this farm, a system has been designed with the capacity to irrigate the entire area simultaneously, which is especially necessary in situations of widespread frost.
Automated irrigation head unit
The head unit integrates automatic fertigation systems, with two technological options:
Xilema fertigation equipment, which allows adjustment of the nutrient composition directly from the system or via remote application.
Dosing pump systems, which are valid but have less automatic adjustment capacity.
The installed system enables remote control via the internet, full automation of irrigation and fertilization, and adjustment of strategies according to crop needs.
Some pictures of our project in Coín (Málaga, SPAIN)
Project details
Type
Localized irrigation system for avocado
Location
Coín (Málaga, SPAIN)
Cultivation
Avocado (mainly Hass variety)
Surface
16 ha
- Localized irrigation system for avocado
- Double irrigation line per tree
- Water storage reservoir
- Anti-frost misting system
- Automated irrigation head unit
- Xilema automatic fertigation system
- Remote system control
- Topographic survey and hydraulic design of the farm
- Hydraulic sectorization according to topography and soil
- Design and implementation of localized irrigation
- Installation of the misting system
- Design and installation of the automated fertigation head unit
- System automation and remote control
- Project management and execution of installation (approx. 2 months)
- Improved vegetative development of avocado thanks to a more uniform irrigation distribution, increasing the number of lines and reducing flow per point.
- Reduction of crop thermal stress through misting, decreasing fruit drop during periods of high temperatures.
- Protection of the crop against frost events, helping stabilize production in an area with thermal variability.
- Optimization of water use through reservoir storage, ensuring summer availability and reducing consumption.
- Irrigation uniformity across the entire surface, even when the system operates simultaneously.
- Greater control and flexibility in fertigation, allowing nutrition to be adapted to crop needs.
- Young project with positive crop evolution, supported by the producer’s previous experience in avocado farms.
How we implement efficient irrigation in avocado projects
On this avocado farm in Coín (Málaga), the producer shares his experience after adapting the irrigation system to improve water distribution and optimize crop development.
We have realized that when irrigation is well balanced, the avocado responds immediately. The tree changes and production improves. With these lower-flow pipes and more watering points, the tree is responding much better. We are using less water and the farm is evolving very well.
Discover how to design an efficient irrigation system for avocado ➡️
Company