Fertigation (Water-Fertilizer Integration)

Fertigation combines irrigation and fertilisation, delivering nutrient solution evenly to the root zone through the irrigation network. Results depend on two parameters: EC (electrical conductivity, indicating nutrient concentration) and pH. High EC causes salt stress and root burn while low EC underfeeds the crop; pH outside the right range reduces the availability of iron, manganese and phosphorus and can clog emitters.

Many farms still use venturi injectors or manual mixing, where uptake varies with line pressure and flow, so concentration is unstable. When several stock solutions (NPK, calcium, micronutrients) are mixed in separate tanks, ratios are also set by experience. Greenhouse and field environments are humid with wide temperature swings, so equipment needs suitable protection and corrosion resistance.

Our fertigation configuration combines online EC/pH monitoring, multi-channel metering pumps and irrigation control:

1. Monitoring: EC and pH sensors on the main line after mixing feed the fertigation controller. A bypass installation makes cleaning and calibration easier.

2. Multi-channel proportional dosing: A and B stock solutions and acid are each dosed by a separate solenoid diaphragm metering pump paced by irrigation flow and trimmed by EC and pH deviation, so concentration stays near setpoint regardless of line pressure. Calcium fertilisers should be kept apart from phosphate and sulfate stocks to prevent precipitation.

3. Acid dosing: nitric or phosphoric acid lowers irrigation water pH and helps prevent scaling in drip systems; acid pump heads use acid-resistant materials.

4. Irrigation interlock: the controller works with irrigation valves and pumps by zone and schedule, logging volume, EC and pH for each cycle.

5. Maintenance: filter stock solutions before the pumps to protect check valves, calibrate EC and pH sensors regularly with standards, and flush pumps with clean water before shutdown to avoid crystallisation.

EC and pH targets and fertiliser recipes should be set by agronomists for the crop, growth stage and soil or substrate. We configure equipment to meet them. Please share irrigated area and zones, system flow and pressure, fertiliser types and stock concentrations, and source water quality.

Practical notes: with hard source water, acid dosing both adjusts pH and limits emitter scaling, but avoid overdosing to very low pH. Different stock solutions contribute differently to EC, so re-check the EC-to-concentration relationship after changing recipes.