What is a common con of automating irrigation to drippers compared to hand watering?

What is a common con of automating irrigation to drippers compared to hand watering?

• A. Higher costs
• B. Less labor-intensive
• C. No expertise required
• D. More effective water application

Answer: (C)

The option indicating that no expertise is required is the correct answer because, while automation does reduce the need for manual labor, it does not eliminate the necessity for understanding and managing irrigation systems. Automated systems, such as drip irrigation, require knowledge for proper installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Growers must be familiar with how to program the timers, understand the specific water needs of their plants, and manage the system to ensure optimal function. In contrast, hand watering can be more intuitive and does not necessarily require technical expertise—just the ability to water the plants adequately. Therefore, relying solely on automation without understanding how it operates can lead to problems such as under- or over-watering, which can undermine crop health.

The option indicating that no expertise is required is the correct answer because, while automation does reduce the need for manual labor, it does not eliminate the necessity for understanding and managing irrigation systems. Automated systems, such as drip irrigation, require knowledge for proper installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Growers must be familiar with how to program the timers, understand the specific water needs of their plants, and manage the system to ensure optimal function.

In contrast, hand watering can be more intuitive and does not necessarily require technical expertise—just the ability to water the plants adequately. Therefore, relying solely on automation without understanding how it operates can lead to problems such as under- or over-watering, which can undermine crop health.