Fertigation : definition , advantage & disadvantage

Fertigation definition:

It is the application of soluble fertilizers (plant nutrients) through an irrigation system. It is a process in which fertilizer is dissolved and distributed along with water in your drip or spray irrigation system. Most fertigation systems for residential use require the use of liquid fertilizers since they are unable to soluble (dissolve) higher concentration, water-soluble fertilizers. Most companies that produce fertilizers for fertigation produce liquid fertilizers since that is the only option that their dispensing units can handle.

The drawback of liquids is that when they are manufactured, they must be pre-diluted with water to make them weaker and less concentrated. Producers do this because they must keep the fertilizers in suspension and can only do that when N-P-K are at low concentration levels. Therefore you rarely see a balanced fertilizer’s rating (N-P-K) in a liquid form above 20%.

Advantages of Fertigation:

1. Improves efficiency of fertilizer use
2. Increases nutrient availability
3. Saves 20-40% fertilizer without affecting growth and yield
4. Reduce fertilizer needed by 70-90% which virtually eliminates fertilizer runoff.
5. Save from 20-50% on your water usage.
6. Improve the health and vitality of your landscape,
7. Streamlines the process of applying fertilizer, saving both labor and energy.
8. Reduce environmental contamination
9. Reduces leaching of nutrients

 Limitations :

1. Initial investment is high
2. Chemical reaction occurring in drip system leading to corrosion and precipitation of fertilizer
3. Clogging of emitter

Equipment

1. Ventury
2. Injector
3. Fertilizer tank
4. Fertilizer pump

Advantages :

1. Does not require an external source to operate
2. Its boasts a comparatively lower cost when compared to alternative fertigation devices.
3. Easily connected to computer system

Disadvantages:

1. It’s  pressure loss in main irrigation line or a booster pump
2. Quantitative fertigation is difficult
3. Batch tank system
4. The principle of operation includes a narrow valve causing a portion of the mainline flow to be diverted through a batch tank
5. Fertilizer tanks are available in 80, 120, and 140 liters