Irrigation may also help in the germination of seeds; climate modification (such as providing timely moisture to crops in an arid to semi-arid climate); freeze protection by water application increasing soil heat conduction and soil heat storage capacity; fertilizer application as possibly one of the cheapest, most accurate and possibly even the only way (during mid- to late-season in some crops) to apply nutrients; modification of soil temperature (such as soil cooling for better germination of some crops) for better seedling establishment; and, even dust suppression (such as use of overhead irrigation to dusty crops prior to herbicide, insecticide, fungicide or growth regulator application whose efficacy could be compromised) if irrigation is also needed at that plant stage and is economical. For more information, visit Cotton Irrigation.

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