Water

Irrigation and drainage. 8 practices across 8 crops.

Summary of cited sources. TERAknow summarises published guidance from the sources linked on each page. Recommendations are general, not guaranteed: results depend on your soil, climate and variety, so confirm with local extension staff or an agronomist before acting.

Banana · Pisang

Full banana guide
    • Core practice
    • Water
    • Stage: Vegetative growth

    Use drip irrigation and keep roots out of standing water

    Drip is preferred over flooding. Earth up around plants in the rainy season so water drains away from the base.

    Technical detail
    • Stop irrigating about one week before harvest.
    • Give extra water in cool seasons to reduce chill injury.
    • Flood irrigation and surface runoff also move Fusarium spores between plants.
    Regions
    Widely applicable
    Confidence
    High confidence: several institutional sources agree

Chili · Cabai

Full chili guide
    • Core practice
    • Water
    • Stage: Vegetative growth

    Water at the root, early in the day

    Splashing water spreads anthracnose. Use drip or furrow irrigation where possible, and if watering overhead, do it early so leaves dry before evening.

    Technical detail
    • Keep soil evenly moist in hot weather; Sarawak advises watering twice daily in hot spells.
    • Never let beds stand in water.
    Regions
    Widely applicable
    Confidence
    High confidence: several institutional sources agree

Sugarcane · Tebu

Full sugarcane guide
    • Core practice
    • Water
    • Stage: Tillering and elongation

    Keep water available through active growth

    Plan irrigation around crop stage and soil water storage; prolonged water shortage during growth can reduce cane development.

    Technical detail
    • The FAO review describes high water demand during growth and a different response during maturation.
    • Check drainage as well as irrigation so the root zone remains workable.
    Regions
    Widely applicable
    Confidence
    High confidence: several institutional sources agree

Coconut · Kelapa

Full coconut guide
    • Core practice
    • Water
    • Stage: Canopy and root zone

    Place drip water where roots can use it

    Irrigate the palm's active root zone and adjust the schedule to local soil and weather.

    Technical detail
    • TNAU describes placing drippers around, rather than directly against, the trunk.
    • Use that layout as a reference, then adjust design with a local irrigation specialist.
    Regions
    India (Tamil Nadu)
    Confidence
    High confidence: several institutional sources agree

Tomato · Tomat

Full tomato guide
    • Core practice
    • Water
    • Stage: Flowering & fruit set

    Keep soil moisture even

    Irregular watering causes fruit cracking, and uneven moisture is linked to blossom-end rot.

    Technical detail
    • Jambi guide: water 1 to 2 times a day early on, adjusted for weather, and do not let soil dry out.
    • Mulch helps hold moisture steady.
    • Never let beds stand in water, since wet, hot conditions spread bacterial wilt.
    Regions
    Indonesia · Widely applicable
    Confidence
    High confidence: several institutional sources agree

Potato · Kentang

Full potato guide
    • Core practice
    • Water
    • Stage: Vegetative growth & hilling

    Keep moisture even and avoid waterlogging

    Moisture stress during tuber enlargement causes knobby or hollow tubers, while waterlogging favours disease.

    Technical detail
    • UMN Extension: soak the soil once or twice a week; about 2.5 cm of water a week.
    • Drip irrigation keeps leaves dry, which helps against late blight (Pacific Pests & Pathogens).
    • Use ridges and good drainage on wet sites.
    Regions
    Widely applicable
    Confidence
    High confidence: several institutional sources agree

Mango · Mangga

Full mango guide
    • Core practice
    • Water
    • Stage: Fruit growth & harvest

    Water during fruit growth, then taper before harvest

    Mature trees need water while fruit sizes, but too much water causes root rot and poor fruit quality.

    Technical detail
    • Indonesian guide: 70 to 100 L per tree per week from ping-pong ball size, reduced to 40 L two weeks before harvest, and none in the last week.
    • UF/IFAS: trees 4 years and older need water only in long droughts; overwatering causes decline.
    Regions
    Indonesia · Widely applicable
    Confidence
    High confidence: several institutional sources agree

Citrus · Jeruk

Full citrus guide
    • Core practice
    • Water
    • Stage: Bearing tree

    Avoid water stress at flushing, flowering and fruit set

    Water shortage at key stages cuts flowering and fruit set. In Indonesia a dry period after harvest followed by irrigation is used to trigger flowering.

    Technical detail
    • PTKJS: after harvest let the land dry for about 3 months, then irrigate to trigger flowering. Bigger trees and coarser soils need more water.
    • UF/IFAS: HLB-affected trees have smaller root systems; more frequent, smaller irrigations reduce drought stress.
    Regions
    Indonesia · Widely applicable
    Confidence
    High confidence: several institutional sources agree
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