Fertigation, what it is and what it consists of.

Agriculture has adapted to the new times and new concepts have been used for decades, as well as methodologies and technologies to increase production through the efficient use of irrigation water and the use of fertilizers. From this combination arises the concept of fertigation. we tell you what is fertigation and what does it consist of

What is fertigation and what is it based on? 

 

Fertigation is to provide the soil with the necessary nutrients for the crop through irrigation water. The fertigation It is defined as a technique that allows instant mixing of water for irrigation with the use of fertilizers. It has been very successful in the case of localized irrigation.

It is especially useful in RLAF (High Frequency Localized Irrigation) systems to use essential nutrients for plants.

Advantages of fertigation 

 

The use of fertigation has shown its advantages and effect on both productivity and quality. With the fertigation you can ensure that the nutrients are applied exactly and evenly where the active roots are concentrated.

Greater control optimizes fertilization by reducing groundwater contamination caused by fertilizer leaching. In addition, it allows the quantity and concentration of nutrients to be measured according to the demand produced during the crop growth cycle.

This results in high performance and optimum quality of these. Fertigation admits the use of Controlled Deficit Irrigation techniques (in which a controlled water deficit does not significantly affect production and quality).

When we use pressure irrigation methods, either drip irrigation, sprinklers, etc., fertigation is not optional but essential, since it is the only technique for applying fertilizers to irrigated crops.

Likewise, it has the possibility of responding in an agile way to any nutritional deficiency of the crop. The fertigation With good management and knowledge, it allows the use of water of low agronomic quality, that is, an electrical conductivity greater than 3 dS/m.

All this results in a more rational and sustainable use of water, as well as fertilizers with a minimum environmental impact.

Disadvantages of fertigation

 

La fertigation Despite reducing labor costs and increasing the efficiency of the fertilizer, it also has disadvantages such as the following:

• A high investment for the infrastructure (injection system and fertilization control and facilities and equipment)
• Highly qualified personnel with technical knowledge on the subject are required.
• Continuous maintenance, to avoid clogging of the drippers due to the formation of precipitates due to incompatibility between the different fertilizers, with the irrigation water or due to a short dissolution.
• It can produce an excessive increase in the salinity of the irrigation water.

Olive tree fertigation: Why is it so important?

 

The modernization of olive cultivation has brought with it the consolidation of irrigation as a practice that produces an increase in the yield and productivity of the olive tree.

 Thus, localized irrigation has spread, which enables the use of olive fertigation. Fertigation is one of the most suitable fertilization techniques, since the nutrients in combination with the water directly reach the wet bulb of the olive tree, achieving balanced and uniform nutrition, with an immediate effect.

La olive fertigation offers numerous advantages when compared on a scale with traditional methods of fertilizing olive trees. Although it must be taken into account, having a planned strategy that adapts to the needs of the olive tree and always counting on professionals.

Types of fertilizers used in fertigation 

 

Fertilizers used in fertigation must be soluble and emulsifiable in water, taking special care to avoid the deposit of residues in the irrigation system, as well as its possible corrosion. Those fertilizers that are obtained by recrystallization are preferable.

Nitrogen: Thanks to its mobility in soil and the good solubility it shows, it does not have problems of use. Nitrates and urea are more mobile, while ammonium is not as mobile due to its ability to bind to soil.

Match: Many of the phosphorus fertilizers have low solubility and the soluble forms have a high cost, in addition to quickly precipitating blockages in irrigation systems.

Potassium: There are no problems regarding its application in irrigation water because it has adequate solubility.

Magnesium: The most used are magnesium sulfate and products with Mg in the form of a chelate.

Calcium: The application of calcium is dangerous due to the risk of precipitation, it should only be used in skeletal, unbalanced, and acid soils; or soils and waters with a high sodium content. The most common fertilizers include calcium nitrate and calcium chloride, among others.

Conclusion: Who is this type of fertilized irrigation for? 

 

With the fertigation you get your crop to develop in a sustainable and efficient way at an environmental, agronomic, social and, above all, financial level, focusing on performance.

Any questions or queries you have about fertigation, contact with Mundoriego.