What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture
What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture?
- Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.
- Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.
- Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.
- Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: C
Explanation
Fertigation is a process in which fertilizer is dissolved and distributed along with water in your drip or spray irrigation system. There is abundant research available that supports the superiority of fertigation as compared to traditional fertilizing techniques.
Advantageous of fertigation
- Improves efficiency of fertilizer use.
- Increases nutrient availability Hence, statement 3 is correct.
- Saves 20-40% fertilizer without affecting growth and yield.
- Saves labour and energy in application of fertilizer.
- Reduce environmental contamination through fertilizer run-offs.
- Reduces leaching of nutrients. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
- Allows to alter the pH of the irrigation water. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Disadvantages of fertigation
- Uneven nutrient distribution occurs when the irrigation system is faulty. It leads to over fertilization or leaching of nutrients when excess water is applied to crops.
- Chemical reactions of fertilizer with calcium and magnesium, bicarbonates in water, which can lead to chemical clogging.
- Suitable for readily soluble or liquid fertilizers. Phosphatic fertilizer and some micronutrients may precipitate in micro-irrigation system. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
- Corrosion resistant fertigation equipments are needed.
- Potential chemical backflow into the water supply source.
- Exam Year: 2020