A few chemigation and irrigation fertigation systems have expanded in scope to the point where farmers can utilize them for substances like gypsum, soil polymers, ground limestone, micronutrients, growth regulation and an ever-expanding range of chemical applications.
(PRWEB) October 26, 2005 -- Farmers have been using fertigation for years to apply fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides to their fields through irrigation. This approach gives them far more control over where, when and how the substance is applied, while reducing labor and raw material costs, and increasing crop yields.
Gypsum, for example, is one of the many materials that can be distributed using chemigation and irrigation fertigation systems. Gypsum has three major usages – as a soil amendment, a conditioner and a fertilizer. As gypsum is not water soluble, most pumps and irrigation systems are unable to deal with it.
For example, a system from companies like Agri-Inject Inc (www.agri-inject.com), which uses sealed Milton-Roy diaphragm pumps, don’t allow any chemical or substance to come into contact with the working parts of the pump. This makes it possible for gypsum to be prepared as slurry and for it to be efficiently sent out to the fields for such functions as correcting soil alkalinity, lowering or raising pH, leaching out harmful sodium through ionic exchange and restoring a balanced soil condition following prolonged use of acid fertilizers.
In addition, gypsum permits water to penetrate soil without forming puddles or water logging, thereby conserving water by stretching intervals between irrigations. According to researchers, farmland treated with gypsum requires up to 33 percent less water than other soils.
“It used to be that you never really knew what amount of a chemical went out into the fields,” says Christopher Glaze, who works at the Irrigation Research Foundation’s farm in Yuma, Colorado. “Chemigation is much more accurate than using a sprayer as you get uniform coverage. It saves us a lot in fuel and labor costs and improves our yields dramatically.”
Soil polymers are also finding broader distribution via existing irrigation lines. Aquadiamonds, for example, is a polymer that can absorb hundreds of times its weight in water and last for years. Such super-absorbent soil polymers are used by farmers and orchard growers for seed germination, soil conditioning and water management. Essentially, these are long-lasting gels that release water as the soil dries, making it possible to stretch the time between waterings by curbing evaporative water loss from the soil.
Ground limestone is another substance that is easily spread using the Agri-Inject-type irrigation fertigation systems. Lime reduces soil acidity (increases pH) and adds calcium and magnesium. The problem is that limestone is relatively insoluble in water so must be very finely ground. This type of specialized irrigation systems eases the problem of limestone distribution while ensuring maximum contact with the soil.
Using this technology, farmers also spread chemicals such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, boron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper and potash. In addition, they harness the system to deliver herbicides, insecticides and a host of other applications.
“We use the Agri-Inject fertigation system to apply a wide range of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides to our fields through the irrigation system,” says Joe Newton, a farmer from Eckley, CO. “The system offers accuracy, simplicity and flexibility.”
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