Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using a time clock to control an irrigation system?

1. Plants are watered at set times, regardless of need

2. Time clocks are very expensive

3. Time clocks are difficult to set

4. Power outages disrupt the system

The correct answer is: Plants are watered at set times, regardless of need

Using a time clock to control an irrigation system has the significant disadvantage of watering plants at predetermined times, regardless of their actual water needs. This can lead to overwatering or underwatering, depending on weather conditions, plant growth stages, or soil moisture levels. When irrigation is based solely on a timer, it does not account for variations such as rainfall or changes in temperature, which can affect how much water plants require. This inefficiency can lead to issues like increased water usage, waste, and potential damage to plants due to excessive moisture or stress due to inadequate watering. In contrast, other choices might present problems; however, they don't directly relate to the core functionality and environmental impact of a time clock watering system as effectively as the inability to adjust watering based on real-time needs does.