One of the many precision farming practices, fertigation is a widely used, adaptable and scalable practice. It simplifies the application of fertilizers and irrigation to plants by combining them into a single waste-averse system. This is one of the most advanced and effective fertilization practice. Even the traditional farmers have recognized this farm practice as efficient and valuable for successful crop production. It is only increasing in efficiency and efficacy as it becomes incorporated with the modern technologies that continue to streamline and also automate the process of fertilizer application in USA.
Understanding Fertigation:
In fertigation, liquid fertilizers are delivered to the plants with irrigation. Compared to conventional fertilization methods, fertigation is more efficient in agriculture. By minimizing fertilizer waste and land contamination and increasing the crop production, fertigation is a win-win for both farmers and the environment.
What does fertigation permit the producer to do? In line with precision farming practices, it enables agriculture producers to save their money by applying fertilizer only where it’s required. Automated fertigation systems make it very simple for farmers to regulate nutrient application rates and schedules.
The most commonly used water-soluble fertilizers for fertigation are ammonium nitrate, urea ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, ammonium thiosulfate, potassium chloride, potassium sulphate, potassium nitrate, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid. In addition to supplying nutrients properly, some fertilizers can perform acidic functions and boost soil properties.
Compared to band or the broadcast methods of fertilizer application, it is considered to be the most accurate and controlled method of application and typically uses a lower volume of fertilizer overall. It is also a common practice in the hydroponic or soil-less cultivation systems, as it is the easiest technique by far for administering the exact doses of the proper nutrition required by plants in these systems.
Source: Freepik
Equipment Needed for Fertigation:
The equipment needed for fertigation is relatively simple and readily available at most irrigation dealers. A chemigation backflow valve protects the water supply from contamination, and an anti-backflow injection valve prevents irrigation water from entering into the fertilizer supply tank if the injection pump halts.
A positive displacement injection pump pushes the fertilizer-calibrated rate through the injector valve into the flow of irrigated water.
Why Use Fertigation?
Fertigation is a fantastic farm practice that will ensure plants’ optimal crop nutrition and boost crop yield while minimizing the environmental pollution level. Other benefits of this farm practice include:
- Rational and very frequent nutrient supply according to the crop’s individual needs
- Efficient plant and nutrient use
- Nutrient application at the active plants root zone
- The ability for plants to employ nutrients immediately after application
- Easy control of the timing, amount, and ratio of the applied nutrients
- The ability to apply the nutrients at any moment, especially when field conditions are unfavourable for standard fertilization practices.
Factors to Consider for Proper Fertigation Management:
Before fertilizing crops through an irrigation system, an agriculturist must consider the following factors, which, if not carried out properly, can negatively impact the crop growth and the entire crop production:
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Fertilizer Selection:
Either the water-soluble or liquid fertilizers can be used in fertigation. When selecting a proper fertilizer, crop growth stages, irrigation system type, and water quality should be considered.
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Fertilizer Solubility:
Mixing two or more fertilizers significantly reduces their solubility, which can be increased with temperature. Fertilizers must be dissolved separately and then added to the water tank.
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Fertilizer Compatibility:
Fertilizer compatibility can impact availability and uptake by the plant; therefore, before fertilizer mixing, a farmer should check the compatibility
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Irrigation Water pH:
Water pH significantly affects the availability of residual nutrients in the soil. Hence, irrigation water must be within a pH range of 5.5-7.0. Too high pH may minimize the availability of essential plant nutrients like phosphorus, zinc, and iron. On the other hand, a very low pH may increase the aluminum and manganese concentration in the soil layer, thus negatively affecting the crop growth.
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Fertigation Schedule:
Accurate fertilizer application greatly determines success of fertigation management. A fertigation schedule will also vary based on crop growth stages and soil properties, as well as the irrigation system and climatic conditions.
Fertigation- A Valuable Practice of Precision Agriculture:
Overall, it has proved to be a crucial part of modern agricultural systems. It has and will continue to, play an essential role in spreading the implementation of precision agriculture practices.
Fertigation overcomes the limits of conventional fertilizer applications by creating a higher degree of control over the exact volumes and rates at which the fertilizers are administered to crops. It is done on a precise schedule with high nutrient uptake success and minimal wastage.
Especially when employed in a drip irrigation system, this practice embodies the different foundations of precision agriculture and assists the land managers in making economic and the sustainable decisions about fertilizer applications that boost yields and contribute to the longevity of the farming operation.
For more information on soil information to drive efficient fertilizer application, contact our experts at SoilOptix® now!
