Fertigation

Fertigation is the joint application of nutrients along with irrigation water. It is best suited for high-frequency drip irrigation although it may be adapted to other irrigation methods. Fertigation requires a dosing system and tanks for the stock solution where nutrients are incorporated. The main characteristics to consider for the fertilizers used in fertigation are concentration, purity, solubility, and pH reaction. Irrigation water quality should also be considered, especially the concentration of bicarbonates and calcium. The calculation of stock solutions is based on the total requirements for N, P, and K and total irrigation to be applied. Specific recipes for fertigation solutions have been developed for several species. Complete nutrient solutions (e.g., Hoagland-Arnon) are easy to calculate considering the actual concentration of salts in irrigation water.