Nutrigation™ is an increasingly expanding technique, which is used for a wide range of soil grown crops.
The application of nutrients through irrigation systems is referred to as Nutrigation™ or Fertigation. The incorporation of soluble fertilizers into the irrigation water is facilitated the integration and harmonization between the application of water and plant nutrients. Using Nutrigation™, an adequate supply of nutrients and water can be directed towards the plant root zone to satisfy plant demands during the various growth stages.
Monitoring of soil nutrients is essential to ensure maximum crop productivity and quality.
Monitoring of Nutrigation™ in soil grown crops.
Although generally (in most situations) a well managed Nutrigation™ supplies adequate nutrition, monitoring of the nutrients status, electrical conductivity and pH in the soil solution during the growing season is essential to ensure maximum crop productivity and quality.
The soil solution is the water that is held within the soil porous structure and interacts with the plant's roots. Analyzing the soil solution can help identify excessive nutrients and salinity levels in the soil and nutrients leaching beneath the root zone.
Soil solution extractors
The capture / extraction of the soil solution is done by using an extractor (suction lysimeter), which is a ceramic cup that is inserted into the soil at various depths (40 -120 cm). This suction lysimeter draws water out of the surrounding soil, into a tube, through negative air pressure (vacuum) that is applied within the ceramic cup (as demonstrated in the photo).
Soil solution analyzing devices
A wide range of devices for analysing soil solution properties are available. Some of these are suitable for an immediate and quick test, which is performed in the field / on spot. Such techniques are typically less accurate compared with laboratory analysis.
Interpretation of results
The appropriate concentration ranges and thresholds for elements in soil are known from references, but the growing conditions are unique to each site and vary from place to place. The adjustments of the fertilization program must be done based on a series of tests (sampling and analyzing).
