Fertigation - An Overview

Many farmers use slow-release and water-soluble fertilisers in their irrigation systems. Fertigation is the process of running a combination of nutrients into the plants through an irrigation system.

This method also reduces water consumption and soil erosion by controlling fertiliser usage.

Students preparing for the IAS or UPSC exam should know the fertigation process and its benefits. The following article explains the fertigation meaning and methods in detail.

What is Fertigation?

The fertigation method combines irrigation and fertilisation techniques. Ideally, plants require a specific amount of nutrients for healthy growth present in fertilisers. Farmers dissolve these fertilisers in irrigation channels or store them in tanks to deliver them into the soil.

The nutrients like diammonium phosphate, urea, ammonia, mono-ammonium, ammonium nitrate and phosphate are transferred to the soil.

There are two fertigation approaches. These are as follows:

• Proportional fertigation: In this approach, a farmer injects a pre-defined quantity of fertiliser stock solution into each water unit of the irrigation system.
• Quantitative fertigation: In this method, a farmer decides the fertiliser amount needed, and then proceeds with the fertigation technique.

Some farmers also use bypass fertiliser tanks where the concentration of nutrients is higher than the irrigation water. However, there is a traditional approach like putting fertiliser in a tank and facilitating fertigation with gravity.

Individuals can set fertigation units in their lawns to fertilise their plants 4-5 times per year. They have to apply fertiliser when the grass is actively growing. In winters, fertigation should be done twice with nitrogen-rich fertilisers.

Apart from learning the meaning of fertigation, UPSC 2022 aspirants should check its benefits. This will help them answer the short questions and current affairs confidently.

Also, refer to the following links:

How does Fertigation Benefit the Farmers and Environment?

Fertigation can be beneficial for farmers and the environment in the following ways:

• This process helps in the accurate application of fertilisers.
• Farmers can maintain fertilisers and apply them to specific areas. This removes the issue of fertiliser wastage.
• Fertigation facilitates water and nutrient supply in the active root zone. This method improves the absorption levels of crops.
• It minimises fertiliser usage and reduces nutrient losses. Through this method, nearly 80-90% efficiency can be maintained. Fertigation helps in saving up to 25% of nutrients.
• Farmers can efficiently save water and help plants develop healthy roots.
• Fertigation reduces soil erosion and water usage.
• According to the World Economic Forum, the number of hungry people worldwide will be 840 million by 2030. This issue is manageable by implementing sustainable farming techniques like fertigation.
• This advanced method reduces labour costs and saves time.
• Nearly 25-50% of higher yields as fertiliser and water are supplied to crops evenly.

Students should know that every technology comes with certain limitations.

What are the Disadvantages of Fertigation?

Following are some disadvantages that fertigation can pose:

• Uneven distribution of nutrients occurs when there are faults in the irrigation system. This can lead to nutrients leaking when excess water is applied to crops.
• Wastage of fertilisers due to leaking can lead to soil and water pollution. This can damage flora and fauna.
• There can be a risk of chemical reaction of fertilisers. For instance, calcium and magnesium react with fertilisers and form bicarbonates in the water. This leads to severe chemical clogging.
• Some micronutrients and phosphatic fertilisers may precipitate in micro-irrigation systems.
• Farmers have to invest in expensive corrosion-resistant fertigation equipment.
• There are chances of chemical backflow into the water supply.

The following data will help students answer the fertigation UPSC questions and prepare notes.

Individuals can also check news articles and educational portals to find a detailed guide on fertigation techniques.