Fertigation, as the name implies, is the process in which fertilizers are being applied with the irrigation water: Fertilization + Irrigation.
Fertigation has many advantages over other fertilization methods, and when properly used, it saves time and labor, fertilizers application is more accurate and uniform, and nutrient uptake by roots is improved.
When using fertigation, fertilizer solutions are prepared in advance in stock tanks and the solution is then injected into the irrigation water.
Fertigation Methods
The most common fertigation methods are the quantitative method and the proportional method.
Quantitative fertigation is commonly used in open fields. In this fertigation approach, the grower first decides how much fertilizer has to be applied per area (e.g. kg/ha, lbs/acre). This quantity of fertilizer is then delivered through the irrigation water.
Proportional fertigation is mostly used in soil-less media and sandy soils. In this fertigation approach, a defined quantity of fertilizer stock solution is injected into each unit of water flowing through the irrigation system (e.g. l/m3, lbs/gal).
Nutrient levels are determined by their concentration in the irrigation water. Most growers who use fertigation, use units of ppm (parts per million) or mmol/l.
Fertigation Systems
Some fertigation controllers allow the grower to directly determine the required injection rate, while other controllers require the input of time and flow parameters (irrigation flow rate, irrigation duration, injector discharge, injection duration).
Effective fertigation requires knowledge and proper management. In fertigation, fertilization is an integral part of the irrigation system and therefore, the irrigation-fertigation system has to be properly designed.
The statement,"...only water soluble fertilizers are appropriate.", leads one to believe that only granular solubles are suitable for fertigation. It should be made clear that liquid fertilizers may also be introduced to the irrigation system, and that they need not be diluted prior to injection.
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