In partnership with Técnicas Sanjorge, AZUD has implemented a highly efficient drip irrigation solution for hydroponic strawberry cultivation at Frutas Esther, a leading farm in Cartaya, in the Spanish province of Huelva. 95% of the acreage has been converted already, with plans to reach 100% in the 2025/26 season.
Water efficiency and durability in demanding conditions
"The conversion has been possible thanks to the installation of AZUD Geniun 16/1L 0.63 mm 20 cm self-compensating drip irrigation pipes, a solution designed for demanding hydroponic environments. This technology has enabled the grower to move from traditional tape irrigation to a robust, more efficient and sustainable solution," said the company.
According to Manuel Rubio, AZUD's sales manager in Andalusia, "the switch to AZUD Geniun has been a quantum leap forward. Not only has water, fertilizer and energy consumption been reduced, but the system now ensures a more uniform application and is also more durable."
"Thanks to the dripper's self-compensating features, the system guarantees a constant flow even on uneven plots, ensuring uniform distribution of water and nutrients, which is key in crops such as strawberries, where fruit quality depends largely on the uniformity of irrigation," he says.
The choice of a pipe system over tape irrigation is based on both technical and financial criteria. "Irrigation tapes are more prone to clogging, require frequent replacement and generate more plastic waste. With AZUD Geniun, the system has a longer shelf life and can be reused for several seasons," says Rubio.
"This aspect is particularly important on a farm that manages large areas and needs solutions that combine efficiency with sustainability. Furthermore, the system's sturdiness has significantly reduced the need for maintenance, freeing up resources for other productive areas."
"To ensure the proper functioning of the irrigation system and protect the installation from possible obstructions, the farm now also features AZUD Helix Automatic self-cleaning disc filtration equipment. This technology allows for efficient self-cleaning with minimal water and energy consumption, maintaining high operational efficiency at all times and reducing maintenance costs."
Agronomic and management improvements
The implementation of drip irrigation in hydroponics has facilitated an increase in planting density, which has translated into higher fruit production per hectare. "The ability to adjust nutrition and irrigation with extremely high precision is an outstanding factor which has led to an increase in fruit quality and quantity," says Rubén Ortiz, commercial director at Técnicas Sanjorge.
"Another highlight has been the improvement in working conditions for field staff. By working with elevated structures, harvesting is carried out in a more ergonomic way, reducing fatigue and increasing productivity."
"Moreover, the need for soil disinfection has been significantly reduced, as have the costs associated with dismantling and reassembling the greenhouses at the end of each season." In the words of Ortiz, "many operations have been simplified by the system. The farm has gained in agility, control and profitability."
"Frutas Esther's experience with the AZUD Geniun drip irrigation pipes installed by Técnicas Sanjorge confirms that the combination of technology, precision and sustainability is the way forward to meet the current challenges of the berry sector."
AZUD and Técnicas Sanjorge will be present at the 10th Berry Congress of Huelva on June 18 and 19.
For more information:
Sistema AZUD, S.A.
Avenida de las Américas P.6/6 – Apdo 147
Polígono Industrial Oeste, 30820 Alcantarilla, Murcia, Spain
Tel.: +34 968 808 402
[email protected]
www.azud.com