Fertigation Techniques Research Articles

Optimizing leaf nutrient status, growth, and yield parameters in high-density apple orchards (cv. Super chief) via integrated drip irrigation and fertigation techniques

Nutrients and water are important ecophysiological components for apples' development and productivity. The combination of high-density plantation, drip irrigation, and weekly fertigation not only conserves irrigation water, but also reduces cultivation costs compared to conventional methods. Leaf nutrient analysis provides insight into nutrient levels and assists in determining irrigation and fertigation schedules. We conducted the current research over two years (2021–22 and 2022–23) to evaluate different drip-fertigation effects on leaf nutrient status, vegetative growth, and yield of high-density apples. The experimental study employed a factorial randomised block design, replicating 16 different treatment combinations three times each. Each replication consisted of three plants, and the treatments included four irrigation levels (100 %, 80 %, 60 %, and control) and four fertigation levels (absolute control, 100 %, 75 %, and 50 % of the recommended NPK dosage). Analysis of the leaves indicated that IR1 (Drip irrigation at 100 % ETc) showed notably higher levels of nitrogen at (3.06 %), phosphorus at (0.48 %) and potassium at (2.07 %) compared to other treatments. Regarding fertigation levels, FN1 [100 % (AD) NPK] showed the highest nitrogen (3.12 %), phosphorus (0.50 %), and potassium (2.09 %) content. Parameters related to vegetative growth, including tree height, plant spread in both east-west (EW) and north-south (NS) directions, trunk girth, annual extension growth, and leaf area showed significant increases with higher irrigation and fertigation levels, surpassing conventional irrigation (IR4) by 6.17 percent, 7.78 percent (EW), 8.62 percent (NS), 10.49 percent, 4.53 percent and 1.96 percent, respectively. Among fertigation, FN1- 100 % AD (NPK) registered a maximum increase in growth parameters. Our analysis demonstrated that combining irrigation and fertigation improved leaf nutrient status and vegetative growth characteristics, which are critical determinants of fruit yield.

Subsurface drip irrigation reduces CH4 emissions and ecosystem respiration compared to surface drip irrigation

Sustainable irrigation expansion is pivotal to guarantee global food security. Fertigation techniques with surface or subsurface drip lines are among the most promising irrigation practices. Yet, the effect of surface versus subsurface drip fertigation on ecosystem respiration (CO2) fluxes remains largely unknown while there is not available information regarding CH4 emissions, even though this knowledge is essential to obtain a comprehensive overview of the carbon (C) footprint of these practices. To address this knowledge gap, a field experiment was set up in a maize (Zea mays L.) crop comparing surface and subsurface drip (buried at 30 cm depth) in combination with four fertilization treatments (unfertilized control, calcium nitrate and ammonium sulphate with or without the nitrification inhibitor DMPP). Our results showed that all fertilized treatments (except the unfertilized control) were net CH4 sources (135–208 g C ha−1). Subsurface irrigation reduced cumulative CH4 emissions compared to surface irrigation by 80% (P < 0.05). Moreover, subsurface irrigation also abated ecosystem respiration fluxes (by 41%, P < 0.05) relative to surface irrigation. Emission peaks of both C fluxes were observed after fertigation events. Our results demonstrate that subsurface irrigation is a water-saving strategy that can contribute to decreasing the net greenhouse gas emissions of irrigated croplands through the abatement of CH4 and respiration fluxes.

Kualitas Fungi Mikoriza Arbuskula (FMA) yang Diproduksi dengan Teknik Fortifikasi dan Fertigasi Berbeda pada Pertumbuhan Indigofera zollingeriana

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a fungus that has a symbiotic impact on the plant at the root system level. The research objective was to evaluate the growth of Indigofera zollingeriana produced from inoculation of AMF under different fortification and fertigation techniques at the field scale. A completely randomized design with six treatments and five replication were applied for the study. The treatments were: FD1000, FD2000, FD3000 (AMF fortified with 1000, 2000, and 3000 ppm of AB mix at flat fertigation), FB1000, FB2000, and FB3000 (AMF fortified with 1000, 2000, 3000 ppm of AB mix at graded fertigation). The result shows that the AMF colonization level at the root of was similar (P&gt;0.05) to the upper value of colonization (80.00‒99.00%). The entire products of AMF have similar favorable symbiotic effects on the plant with major growth traits (plant high, stem diameter, number of branches and twigs). A fortification of 2000 ppm of AB mix under graded fertigation technique has produced AMF that significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased the number of leaves with higher green color level (7.5GY 4/6) compared with other treatments. In conclusion, the AMF produced by different fortification and fertigation techniques at the field scale has a similar result on root colonization effectivity and growth performance of I. zollingeriana. In addition, the AMF produced by 2000 ppm of AB mix with graded fertigation technique effectively increased the number of leaves with higher green color intensity. &#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: AMF, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi quality, fertigation, fortification, Indigofera zollingeriana

THE FACTORS INFLUENCING AGROPRENEURS’ INTENTION USING TPB: A STUDY OF FERTIGATION PROGRAMME IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Malaysia has been continuously practicing the fertigation system, which is applying fertiliser solutions with irrigation water, typically through a micro-sprinkler or a drip system. This system has helped numerous small and medium-scale agropreneurs (agriculture entrepreneur) develop constant business. At a larger scale, fertigation is a means to address food security issues. Many small and medium-scale agropreneurs apply fertigation techniques in their crop cultivation. What are the underlying factors that cause them to continue using these techniques in their cultivation practices? To what extent do their intentions in crop production using fertigation techniques measured? This study sought to investigate the factors that affect small and medium-scale agropreneurs’ intention to continue practicing fertigation techniques in their agricultural activities. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study examined 319 small and medium-scale agropreneurs’ intentions and the moderating effect of personality traits under Farmer’s Organization Authority (FOA) agency. The results revealed that the interests of FOA participants were determined significantly by subjective norms and personality traits while attitude, perceived behavioral control did not affect their intentions. Household income, number of household, age and education similarly provides significant effect of the agropreneurs’ intention. The findings of this study lead to the success of the fertigation program conducted and can further maximise the application of this technique to the cultivation of diverse crops. Additionally, the framework used can be adapted in various agricultural subsectors such as crop production, animal production, fisheries and agribusiness .Keywords: Intention, personality traits, small and medium scale agropreneurs, agricultural entrepreneurship, attitude, Theory of Planned Behavior

Biogat-fert technique for maximizing water and fertilizer units productivity for potato crop

Biogat-fert technique ensure to maximizing water and fertilizer unit productivity for potato crop, Two field experiments were carried out during growing seasons 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, at research farm of National Research Centre in Nubaria region, Egypt to study management of biogat-fert technique on potato crop under drip irrigation system in sandy soil conditions. Study factors were fertigation techniques (fertigation, biogat-fert and fertilizers). The following parameters were studied to evaluate the effect of study factors: (1) mineral and biological fertilizers effect of soil, (2) microbial number, (3) NPK ratio, (4) Yield of potato, (5) water use efficiency of potato, (6) Crop water production function. The results conducted that soil fertility was enhanced greatly in bio-fertilizer treatment. The average total N, total P and total K in 0–40 cm soil layers increased to 29.17, 26.67and 36.7% respectively. The average CFU of bacteria in soil layers increased by 15 Time. After drip irrigation, the CFU of bacteria had increased further, and reached more than 7.8× 107 CFU/g dry soil in the 0–40 cm soil layers. The results showed that the application of different bio-fertilizer along with fertilizers revealed significant positive impact on crop yield.

Sustainable water use through multiple cropping systems and precision irrigation

Water resource management is pivotal for sustainable operations, particularly in agriculture, as, for example, the sector accounts for about 70% of the global freshwater exploitation. Specifically, in countries like India, the prevalence of water-intensive cropping systems such as ‘rice – wheat’ in tandem with traditional irrigation methods such as flood irrigation has resulted in alarming water scarcity levels and marginal economic returns. Multiple cropping systems, i.e., cultivating several crops in a growing season over the same land, can offer additional revenue opportunities but would lead to further decline in the water table, currently falling by 0.54 m per year in Punjab, the ‘Breadbasket of India’. Furthermore, smallholder farmers' return-on-investment remains challenged with consequent significant financial and social stress reported. Therefore, it is necessary to generate robust evidence to inform farmers' decision-making process to adopt multiple cropping systems. Multiple cropping systems can help ensure the environmental and economic sustainability of agricultural operations, which, possibly facilitated by precision irrigation, can ultimately improve the livelihood of farmers. In this regard, this research aims to propel the sustainable transition in Indian agriculture via generating real-world evidence that evaluates the environmental and financial viability of multiple cropping systems in Punjab, enabled by subsurface drip irrigation and fertigation techniques. Specifically, yield attributes, water balance, nutrient leaching, water productivity, net returns and benefit-cost ratio are assessed for the ‘summer mungbean – maize – wheat’ system, based on primary data from two growing seasons. The study findings demonstrate that subsurface drip irrigation and fertigation techniques could lead to circa 30% savings in irrigation water due to low drainage losses. In addition, a corresponding increase in farmers' net returns can be achieved compared to the conventionally used flood irrigation method in the ‘summer mungbean – maize – wheat’ cropping system.

Will the Adoption of Early Fertigation Techniques Hinder Famers’ Technology Renewal? Evidence from Fresh Growers in Shaanxi, China

Fertigation technology is key to solve water pollution and inefficient fertilizer use. However, some early techniques cannot adapt to the current situation of labor shortages and large-scale planting. Therefore, it is necessary to consider farmers’ willingness to adopt more adaptive techniques. Specifically, we focus on whether early technology adoption will hinder technology renewal and whether the factors affecting the adoption of early and latest techniques are consistent. Through theoretical analysis and a survey, we find that farmers’ endowments such as income and labor force only affect the adoption intentions to the high-cost technique (Intelligent Irrigation Control System), but not early techniques (Venturi injector and Differential pressure tank), while farmers’ information processing ability and information acquisition channels affect both. Finally, the results of Propensity Score Matching show that early technology adoption will not become an obstacle to technology renewal.

STATISTICAL QUALITY CONTROL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY FOR EVALUATION OF THE UNIFORMITY OF DIFFERENT DRIP FERTIGATION SOLUTIONS

Population growth has led to an intensified search for ways to increase the efficiency of agricultural production, including improvements of irrigation systems. The aim of this work was to evaluate the uniformity of different drip fertigation techniques, as well as their monitoring using electrical conductivity measurements and statistical quality control charts. For this, an experiment was performed according to a fully randomized design, with six treatments: T1) water (control); T2) Forth Frutas fertilizer; T3) Fortgreen fertilizer; T4) water (control); T5) Bio Bokashi liquid fertilizer; and T6) swine production wastewater. Each treatment consisted of 25 assays (replications). For the assays, 16 collection points were selected for measurements of volume, pH, and electrical conductivity. The data were analyzed using the Christiansen uniformity coefficient, the distribution uniformity coefficient, and the coefficient of variation of the total flow, employing Tukey’s test (5% level), together with statistical quality control charts. The results revealed uniformity above 90% for irrigation and fertigation, while statistically better control was obtained for irrigation. It could be concluded that irrigation and fertigation were similar in terms of uniformity, demonstrating the feasibility of using different fertigation solutions, while the control charts enabled efficient monitoring of the uniformity of the systems.

The Effect of Foliar and Ground-Applied Essential Nutrients on Huanglongbing-Affected Mature Citrus Trees.

The fate of foliar and ground-applied essential nutrients is the least studied topic under citrus greening or Huanglongbing (HLB)-affected citrus, which is inherently suffering from severe root decline because of HLB-associated problems. The objective of this study was to evaluate if ground-applied coupled with foliar spray of essential nutrients can reverse the decline in tree growth and understand the fate of the nutrients in the soil-root-tree interfaces. The treatments were arranged in a split-split plot design in which nitrogen (N) was ground-applied in 20 splits biweekly and Mn, Zn, and B were foliar and /or ground-applied in three splits following the spring, summer, and late summer flush seasons. Soil nutrients in three depths (0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm), root, and leaf nutrient concentrations of the essential nutrients, leaf area index (LAI), and tree canopy volume (TCV) data were studied twice (spring and summer) for two years. A significantly higher soil NH4-N and NO3-N concentrations were detected in the topsoil depth than the two lower soil depths (15–30 and 30–45 cm) indicating lesser nutrient leaching as trees received moderate (224 kg ha−1) N rate. Except for soil zinc (Zn) concentration, all the nutrient concentrations were significantly higher in the topsoil (0–15 cm), compared with two lower soil depths indicating that Zn was intricate by changes in soil environmental conditions, root acquisition, and/or leaching to lower soil depth. Leaf N concentration significantly increased over time following seasonal environmental fluctuations, tree growth, and development. Thus, leaf N concentration remained above the optimum nutrient range implying lower N requirement under irrigation scheduling with SmartIrrigation, an App used to determine the daily irrigation duration to meet tree water requirement and split fertigation techniques. Root Manganese (Mn) and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in the root tissues of the treated than the control trees and translocated to the leaves accordingly. Meanwhile, a significantly higher LAI for trees budded on Swingle (Swc) rootstock however, larger TCV for trees budded on Volkameriana (Volk) rootstocks. The trees had significantly larger TCV when the trees received a moderate N rate during early study years and under foliar 9 kg ha−1 coupled with the ground 9 kg ha−1 Mn and Zn treatments during the late study years. Therefore, split ground application of 224 kg ha−1 of N, foliar applied 9 kg ha−1 coupled with ground-applied 9 kg ha−1 Mn and Zn were the suggested rates to sustain the essential leaf nutrient concentration within the optimum ranges and improve the deterioration of vegetative growth associated with HLB-induced problems of citrus trees.

Farklı Fertigasyon Teknikleri ve Su Kısıntısı Koşullarında Domates Bitkisinin Su Verim İlişkilerinin Belirlenmesi

Success of the fertigation techniques on drip irrigation which water and fertilizer are used together depends on fertilizer concentration, distrubition and transmission type to crop in time. Especially, consideration of the adverse effects of the climate changes on water supplies, fertilization with deficit irrigation regimes is more important for plant growth. In this study effects of F1 injection pump, F2 venturi injector and F3 pressure diversity fertigation techniques with I100, I70 and I50 irrigation treatments on tomato was determined. Results of the 2014 experiment year, the highest yield was obtained as 4875 kg da-1 in F1 injection pump and I100 full irrigation treatments. The highest seasonal evapotranspiration was obtained as 584.7 mm in F2 venturi injector and I100 full irrigation treatments while the highest irrigation amount was 397.7 mm on I100 full irrigation treatments.

Fertigation of Maize with Digestate Using Drip Irrigation and Pivot Systems

Digestate is a nutrient-rich fertilizer and appropriate techniques are required for its application during the maize season to reduce losses and increase the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The performance of two different fertigation techniques (drip irrigation and pivot) were assessed using the digestate liquid fraction. A two-year field test was carried out at two different sites in Lombardy, northern Italy. At each site, fertigation with pivot (P-F, site 1) or drip (D-F, site 2) systems was compared to reference fields where the same irrigation techniques without addition of digestate were used. During the two seasons, the performance of the fertigation systems, amount of fertilizers used, soil nitrogen content, yields, and nitrogen content of the harvested plants were monitored. The digestate application averaged 5 m3/ha per fertigation event with P-F and 4.9 m3/ha with D-F corresponding, respectively, to 28 and 23 kg N/ha. Both irrigation systems were suitable for fertigation provided that the digestate was adequately filtrated. Our results suggest that fertigation with digestate, if properly managed, can be applied during the growing season up to the full amount of nitrogen required by the crop.

A Transdisciplinary Design and Implementation of Sustainable Agricultural Principles in the Waikato Region of New Zealand

AbstractThe Ministry of Primary Industries in New Zealand, per the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, prioritised “increased sustainable resource use” as a critical success factor to ensure the wellbeing of New Zealanders. The challenge for a commercial vegetable farming operation is how to embed sustainable agricultural principles in operations to ensure a thriving, financially sustainable business. Of the 17 Sustainability Development Goals, 13 involve soil one way or an‐other and Target 15 (Life on Land) relates to soil health as an integral part of sustainability.A transdisciplinary systems approach was followed in a running agricultural operation to explore links between societal wellbeing, plant health and soil health while maintaining profitability and business resilience. The business used the client and policy‐centred outcomes for the design and implementation of a thriving enterprise. It showed that increased profit is achievable utilising a combination of fertigation techniques and compost applications for onion production.

Development of Integrated EC and pH Sensor for Low-Cost Fertigation System

Nowadays, crop yields within the planting vegetables and fruits in Malaysia using fertigation system has been emerging technology adapted by modern farmer in agriculture practice. Fertigation techniques is one amongst the ways to increasing export and reducing import to urge a precision farming is should have most doable use efficiency of applied inputs particularly for water and fertilizer. Fertilizer got to be monitor and check on a daily basis to make sure the nutrient content was enough for plants. Two (2) vital parameter required to be monitored are water pH and EC (electric conductivity). In normal practice, these parameters need to be check manually and recorded the data for further analysis. This practice takes a lot of time and wastes energy toward the worker or farmer. So, the aim of this projects is to integrate pH and EC sensor module that can monitoring the system automatically beside able to reduce time while not taking the data manually. This wireless agriculture monitoring system uses the Arduino Uno as the processing unit and ESP8266 Wi-Fi module as the communication unit. This sensor module transfers the data to user via mobile application wirelessly.

Productivity and Economics of Drip-Irrigated Banana (Musa Spp.) under Different Planting and Fertigation Techniques in Subtropical India

ABSTRACTBanana is well known to be extremely demanding for water and nutrients, and supplemental application of these resources are prerequisites for higher yield. The study was undertaken to assess the effects of fertigation through drip on the growth, yield, quality, and economics of banana during 2007–2009. The experiment also aimed to find out a suitable method of planting for banana under drip irrigation system. Twelve treatments comprising two fertilizer sources, three fertilizer levels, and two planting systems were attempted. These treatments were compared with surface method of irrigation using conventional fertilizers applied as farmers practice. The results revealed that among the various treatments, 100% dose of water-soluble RDNPK and planting spacing of 1.5 × 1.5 m with drip fertigation recorded better values for growth characteristics. Banana fruit yield was significantly higher in normal planting (82.86 t/ha) than paired row planting (75.75 t/ha). The fruit yield increased significantly in water-soluble fertilizers (81.01 t/ha) as compared with “nitrogen (N)” fertigation (77.59 t/ha) and it also increased significantly with an increase in fertilizer levels (100% fertigation), but high costs of these fertilizers lowered the B:C ratio and net returns as compared with fertigation using conventional fertilizers. The drip irrigation gave 3–14.5% increase in banana fruit yield and 52% water saving over surface irrigation. The quality of banana fruits was not affected significantly due to any of the treatments.

Enhancing the Productivity of Annual Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam. ) var. PKM 1 through High Density Planting and Fertigation Techniques

Experiments on high density planting and fertigation in annual moringa PKM 1 were conducted at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam during 2008 – 2012. Among the twenty four treatment combinations evaluated, adopting high density planting system with a spacing of 1.5 × 1.0 m with two plants per hill and maintaining the plant population of 13,333 ha-1along with application of 135:23:45 g of NPK pit -1 recorded the highest yield of 114.25 tonnes ha-1and BC ratio of 4.96 when compared to control which recorded the yield of 28.63 tonnes ha-1and BC ratio of 1.72.

Effects of Fertigation Duration on the Pollution, Water Consumption, and Productivity of Soilless Vegetable Cultures

The management of water and nutrient ions, such as nitrate, has been studied extensively in recent decades. Increasingly efficient models have been developed for the use of water and nutrients through the automation of fertigation techniques. The application of a fertigation volume for a duration four times longer than applied on the control was evaluated. In Almería (Spain), one pepper crop and two tomato crops—with and without grafting—were grown between Oct. 2013 and June 2014 in a soilless system with a coir substrate. The effects on root growth, plant growth, production, and quality were measured. The following parameters for the fertigation of the nutrient solution and drainage were recorded: % drainage volume, electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution, pH, and concentration of nitrates and potassium. The absorption of potassium and nitrate, and the nitrate emissions of the drainage were estimated. The results showed an increase in the root volume and an improved distribution in the cultivation unit for the treatment application in the pepper crop. Slowing the applied fertigation improved the absorption of water and nitrates, and the production in the ungrafted tomato and pepper crops, while the grafted tomato crop was unaffected. Nitrate emissions were lower in the evaluated treatment of the pepper and ungrafted tomato crops. The fruit quality parameters were unaffected.

Effect of rooting time, pot size and fertigation technique on strawberry plant architecture

BACKGROUND: Flower induction and the reproductive and vegetative behavior of strawberry plants depend on several agronomic and nutritional factors. OBJECTIVE: During propagation in the nursery, several fertigation techniques (nutrient amount and timi

A tecnologia de remoção de fósforo: gerenciamento do elemento em resíduos industriais

As elevadas concentrações de fósforo em águas residuárias industriais é uma das principais causas da eutrofização de corpos hídricos receptores, havendo em virtude disto, uma crescente preocupação com o gerenciamento das cargas de fósforo dos efluentes industriais. Além dos aspectos de contenção ambiental, é estrategicamente desejável que os processos de tratamento permitam a recuperação e o reúso deste elemento que é considerado de elevada demanda biológica. Neste sentido, esta revisão objetiva descrever e analisar criticamente o estado atual das tecnologias de gerenciamento de fósforo em águas residuais industriais, com ênfase no reúso do elemento. As tecnologias consideradas incluem abordagens químicas (precipitação química e adsorção), biológicas (sistemas bacterianos, uso macroalgas e microalgas) além de técnicas de fertirrigação.

Fertigation techniques for use with multiple hydrozones in simultaneous operation

Site-specific delivery of fertilizer is a useful tool to address differences in crop need. Modern systems with wirelessly networked sensors and valves allow multiple hydrozones to be created more easily than traditional wired systems. This allows irrigation and fertigation rates to be varied across small portions of a field. However, fertigation to multiple hydrozones with different fertilizer requirements may be complex if each zone cannot be fertigated in an independent set. Instead, it might be necessary to operate several fertigation zones simultaneously. This raises a concern over the ability to deliver fertilizer uniformly within each zone. Four fertigation strategies were tested. The conventional method was to fertigate multiple hydrozones at different times. Three site-specific strategies were considered, involving overlapping fertigation phases in multiple hydrozones. Fertilizer distribution uniformity tests were conducted with a 64-emitter drip line to determine which strategy gave the most uniform distribution of fertilizer within a hydrozone. All fertigation techniques performed well, with fertilizer distribution uniformities between 0.88 and 0.96. Selection of the optimum site-specific fertigation strategy will depend on crop needs, scheduling limitations, and system design parameters such as emitter type, fluid travel time, and slope. Similar to conventional fertigation, the main factor in fertilizer distribution uniformity for this study was drip emitter variability. In the presence of sloped terrain, the site-specific control strategy that involved a delay between fertilizer injection and flushing had the least uniform fertilizer application.

Transpiração do tomateiro cultivado em substrato e sua influência na fração lixiviada e na condutividade elétrica da solução nutritiva drenada

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of tomato transpiration on the leaching fraction and electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution drained in the sand substrate under greenhouse growing conditions. Two fertigation techniques were used, one denoted by conventional control system and the other by computerized control system. In the conventional control system, the nutrient solution was applied by using fixed time intervals between fertigation events. In the other system, the application occurred according to transpiration estimates, which were performed by the control algorithm of the computerized system. Under cloudy conditions, the EC of the drained nutrient solution decreased in both systems as a result of low transpiration and high leaching fractions, which mitigated substrate salinization. However, under high values of solar radiation, EC increased due to low leaching fractions. The results demonstrated that, under cloudy conditions, the computerized control system reduced effluent volumes by 54% as compared to the conventional control system and, simultaneously, prevented substrate salinization by maintaining mean EC values of the drained solution in the range from 2.9 to 3.5 dS m-1.