EFM Scientific Data

Ebb And Flow Mat Vs. Overhead Irrigation

Irrigation Systems Explained

System	Overhead Irrigation	KISSS EBB and Flow MAT®
Appearance	Sprinkler and Misting Systems can be extremely extensive.	The Ebb and Flow MAT irrigation system is delivered cut to size and ready to connect to external water. This mat may be placed on any level or moderately sloping surface of reasonably even grade, indoors or outdoors.
Water Introduction	Water is delivered at a high rate into individual sprinkler heads.	When connected to external water, the central layer of the mat distributes the water evenly throughout the system. A lower layer of impervious plastic prevents the water from escaping.
Water Delivery	Water is delivered at a high rate from overhead saturating the top layer of potting media and utilizes gravity to pull water down to the root zone.	When pots are placed on the Ebb and Flow MAT, the top layer is brought into contact with the capillary layer, and water is forced up directly under the pot and around the rim of the pot. Water passes through the bottom and/or side drainage holes of the pot into the potting mix and up to the root zone of the plants.
Drainage cycle	After a period of irrigation, saturated potting media rapidly drains excess water.	The mat is tailed off at one end or side to produce a drainage/siphoning effect when irrigation ceases. This drainage method brings pots to a favorable level of air filled porosity.
Irrigation period	Irrigation periods vary depending on sprinkler type and application rate.	Irrigation periods are shorter than with overhead or capillary irrigation. When irrigation ceases, the mat drains gently, leaving pot mix with a good air filled porosity.
Placement	Sprinkler systems are generally installed above surface of pots.	KISSS Ebb and Flow MAT can be placed on any surface that is even and provides reasonable support. It can be placed outside on ground, benches or indoor in any number of configurations.

How KISSS Ebb and Flow MAT is outperforms Overhead Irrigation systems.

	Overhead Irrigation	KISSS Ebb and Flow MAT™
Suitable for:	Greenhouses, Outdoor Nurseries, Retail Nursery's, and Home Owners	Greenhouses, Outdoor Nurseries, Retail Nursery's, and Home Owners
Surface:	Any surface	Works on level and sloping surfaces
Closed or Open system:	Open system. Water application is uncontrolled with high amounts of runoff and over spray.	Growing area can be open on one or more sides, run-off is minimal and controlled.
Investment required:	Large depending on how extensive the system is.	Low relative to overhead, capillary and ebb and flow systems.
Wetting period:	Extended periods of wetting followed by rapid drainage.	Short periods of wetting followed by slow drainage.
Pots/containers used:	May need special pots and media in some situations, but can be flexible.	Any pots with bottom and/or side drainage holes. Successfully used with plug trays to 2-gallon containers and above.
Surface care:	Surface should be kept clean and free of debris, but is not necessary.	Tolerant of debris and careless housekeeping practices. Surface of weed mat is allowed to dry to save water, hardens plants and discourage algal growth.
Saturation:	Potting mix is saterated from the top down. Potting media flooded past its water holding capacity.	Saturated zone is very small ( 2mm), and occurs only during the short period of irrigation. Water is taken up by pot media at its natural capillary rate. Flooding does not occur so air filled porosity is high.
Plant stress:	Hardening of plants possible through management of irrigation/drainage cycle.	Regular, periodic moisture stress allows plants to be hardened slowly over full growing cycle. Water availability can be managed, as required.
Root growth:	Restricted by large saturated and dry areas.	Volume available for root growth is relatively very large due to lack of large saturated portion.
Salts build-up:	Minimal due to high rate of leaching. Some salt build up may form at the surface of pots due to evaporation.	With small periods of gentle irrigation and longer drainage periods (as against constant capillary activity or flooding), salt build-up is minimal.
Water available to side drainage holes of pots:	None.	Free water is visible in a ring around the pot base during irrigation, facilitating capillary action through side drainage holes. Water may also be taken up through bottom holes.
Drainage:	Extensive drainage in nursery's is required for waste water due to factors such as over spray and high rate of drainage from potting media.	Drainage of mat and pots takes place for most of the irrigation cycle (when Irrigation is turned off). In addition, drainage from the mat is constant whenever excess water exists.
Disease exposure:	Extended saturation top portion of pot mix may encourage bacterial and fungal growth etc. Wet foliage encourages disease and bacterial attacks from sensitive plants. Water splashing and runoff encourage the spread of disease, and bacteria.	Minimal drainage losses from pots because less of the medium is wet beyond its natural holding capacity. Water is continuously moving and, together with the lack of organic matter in the capillary mat, this reduces the likelihood of zoospores germinating in the system. A relatively small volume of water is retained in the mat when drained. Much of this water is flushed from the mat in the first part of the next irrigation, eliminating potential contamination.