Water in Rust Farming
Plants drink from their planter’s soil, which holds up to 8000 saturation. Keep saturation near 60% for the best growth-quality bonus — over-watering past that point actually lowers quality.
Sprinklers and pumps
A Water Pump placed in water outputs about 1.5 ml per second (30 ml every 20 seconds) and draws 5 rW of power. Sprinklers (3 metre radius, 2 rW each) spread that water over nearby planters automatically, so a pump feeding a line of sprinklers keeps a whole farm watered hands-free.
The optimal 60%
A planter’s soil saturation maxes at 8000, and the sweet spot is 60% (about 4800). Below that, water quality scales up with saturation; above it, quality actually falls off. Aim to hold planters around 60% rather than drowning them.
The W gene tradeoff
Each Water Requirement (W) gene increases a plant’s water consumption by 10%. W is a red gene with no upside, so you want to breed it out — a thirstier plant just needs more infrastructure for no benefit. Plan your pump and sprinkler count from your planter total with the farm calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water does a water pump make in Rust?
About 1.5 ml per second (30 ml every 20 seconds) while drawing 5 rW of power.
What is the best soil saturation for Rust farming?
Around 60% of the 8000 maximum. Below it, quality rises with water; above it, quality drops.
