About Irrigation and Fertigation , specially in polyhouse crops, Fertilizer Schedule

1. Modern Irrigation & Fertigation
Technologies
By: NIKHIL AMBISH MEHTA
Horticulture Development Officer
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

2. Efficient use of every drop of water
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

3. Flood / Furrow Irrigation
Evaporation
Percolation
Distribution
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

4. Sprinkler Irrigation
Improved Control Over Flood and Furrow Irrigation
Sensitive to wind
Evaporation from soil and plant canopy
Leaf-disease or Leaf-burns
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

5. Drip Irrigation
Sub-Surface
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur
Drip Irrigation with Laterals

6. Indo – Israel Project

7. Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

8. Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

9. Drip Irrigation Principles
 Drip irrigation opens new opportunities for improved
irrigation management.
 With its high water use efficiency, it generates remarkable
production increases even under marginal conditions of soil
and water.
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

10. The uniqueness of the drip system is :
Ensuring that every drop of water is supplied directly to the
root system of each and every plant in the field with
minimum water losses.
The unique characteristic of drip irrigation is the partial
wetting of the soil surface. Droplets of water flow out from
the dripper directly to the soil surface and infiltrate into the
soil.
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

11. Difference of Single & Double laterals on Raised Bed
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

12. In order to get very low flow rate, we need
to have a very small outlet diameter.
However, if it is of a small diameter, it can
be easily clogged by the suspended particles
in the water.
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

13. Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

14. Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

15. Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

16. Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

17. Irrigation Designs
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

18. Different types of Filters
Disc Filters
Hydro-cyclone Filter
Screen Fliter
Sand Filter
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

19. Different Types of Dripers
1) Inline Dripers
2) Online Dripers
3) PC Driper
4) Non PC Dripers
21
Indo – Israel Project

20. Tensiometer
Soil Water Tension
To Measure the Amount of Irrigation
To Measure The Interval of Irrigation
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

21. Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

22. Control Panel
Filtration System
Fertilizer Tanks Ferti-Mix
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

23. Fertigation
 Minimum nutrient losses
 Improving nutrients’
availability to plants
 Saving labor of fertilizer
broadcasting
 Saving fertilizers
 Improve Fertilizer Use
Efficiency
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

24. Management of Crop Demand
Exact application of nutrients and water based
on crop demands
An appropriate application for every stage of
plant growth
Application may be modified for controlling
crop production and quality
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

25. Soil Sampling
20 c.m.
Places of pits The pit
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

26. Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

27. EC Meter & pH Meter
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

28. EC & pH Requirements
• Soil Testing and Water Testing is very important.
• In soil testing, Check- EC, pH, Organic matter,
Major and Micro nutrients.
• Irrigation water should have EC <1 and pH should
be 6.5 to 7.0
• Fertigation water should have EC = 1.5 and pH
should be 6.25.
• Soil EC should be <0.8 and pH should be 5.5 to
7.5.
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

29. Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

30. Main functions of plant nutrients
Nutrient Functions
Nitrogen (N) Synthesis of proteins (growth and yield).
Phosphorus (P) Cellular division and formation of energetic structures.
Potassium (K) Transport of sugars, stomata control, cofactor of many enzymes, reduces
susceptibility to plant diseases.
Calcium (Ca) A major building block in cell walls, and reduces susceptibility to diseases.
Sulphur (S) Synthesis of essential amino acids cystin and methionine.
Magnesium (Mg) Central part of chlorophyll molecule.
Iron (Fe) Chlorophyll synthesis.
Manganese (Mn) Necessary in the photosynthesis process.
Boron (B) Formation of cell wall. Germination and elongation of pollen tube.
Participates in the metabolism and transport of sugars.
Zinc (Zn) Auxins synthesis.
Copper (Cu) Influences in the metabolism of nitrogen and carbohydrates.
Molybdenum
(Mo)
Component of nitrate-reductase and nitrogenase enzymes.
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

31. Mobile and Immobile Elements
• Mobile: N, P, K, Mg
Deficiency is shown in the older parts of
the plant, or in the plant as a whole
• Immobile: S, Ca, B, Fe, Zn, Mn, Mo, Cu
Deficiency is shown in the younger parts
of the plant.
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

32. Nutrient Influence Each Other
• Antagonism:
High levels of one specific
element reduce the uptake of
an other element
In : K with effect on Mg
In Ca with effect on K & Mg
• Synergism:
High levels of one specific
element increase the uptake
of an other element
K in relation to Fe + Mn
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

33. Nutrients Supplied Nutrient Source Nutrient Content of Source (%)
Nitrogen (N) Ammonium nitrate 33.5
Calcium Nitrate 15.5
Potassium nitrate 13
Nitric Acid Varies
Phosphorus (p) Monopotassium phosphate 23
Phosphoric Acid Varies
Pottasium (K) Potassium chloroide 50
Potassium nitrate 36.5
Potassium magnesium sulphate 18.3
Monopotassium phosphate 28
Potassium sulphate 43
Calcium (ca) Calcium Nitrate 19
Calcium Chloride 36
Magnesium (Mg) Magnesium Sulphate 10
Potassium magnesium sulphate 11
Source of Nutrients from Different Fertilizers
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

34. Sulphur (S) Magnesium Sulphate 14
Potassium magnesium sulphate 22
Sulphuric acid Varies
Potassium sulphate 18
Boron (B) Sodium Octa - borate 20
Boric Acid 17
Copper (Cu) Cupric Chloride 17
Copper sulphate 25
Zinc (Zn) Zinc Sulphate 36
Iron (Fe) Chelated iron (EDTA, DTPA) 5-12
Managanese (Mn) Manganese chloride 44
Manganese sulphate 28
Molybdenum (Mo) Ammonium molydate 54
Sodium molybdate 39
Chloride (Cl) Potassium Chloride 52
Calcium Chloride 64
Nutrients Supplied Nutrient Source Nutrient Content of Source (%)
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

35. Water Soluble Fertilizer
Sr.
No
N : P : K For pH Control Other Fertilizer Micronutrient
1 19 : 19 : 19 Phosphoric Acid Calcium Nitrate Zinc Sulfate
2 13 : 0 : 45 Nitric Acid Magnesium Sulfate Fe Sulfate
3 0 : 0 : 50 Sulphuric Acid Ammonium Sulfate Manganese Sulfate
4 12 : 61 : 0 Magnesium Nitrate Boron
5 0 : 52 : 34 Ammonium Molibedate Copper Sulfate
6 18 : 18 : 18 Ammonium Nitrate Chelates - EDTA
7 20 : 20 : 20
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

36. Fertilizer Solution in ppm
Fertilizer Salts
Element
supplied
Grams of fertilizer needed per 1000 liters of
water to provide 1 mg/l (ppm) of the nutrient
specified
Boric Acid [H3BO3] B 5.64
Calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2·4H2O] (15.5-0-0) N 6.45
Ca 4.70
Cupric chloride [CuCl2·2H2O] Cu 2.68
Copper sulfate [Cu(SO4)·5H2O] Cu 3.91
Chelated iron (9%) Fe 11.10
Ferrous sulfate [FeSO4] Fe 5.54
Magnesium sulfate [MgSO4·7H2O] (Epsom salts) Mg 10.75
Manganese chloride [MnCl2·4H2O] Mn 3.60
Manganese sulfate [MnSO4·4H2O] Mn 4.05
Molybdenum trioxide [MoO3] Mo 1.50
Monopotassium phosphate [KH2PO4] (0-22.5-28) K 3.53
P 4.45
Potassium chloride [KCl] (0-0-49.8) K 2.05
Potassium nitrate [KNO3] (13.75-0-36.9) N 7.30
K 2.70
Potassium sulfate [K2SO4] (0-0-43.3) K 2.50
Zinc sulfate [ZnSO4·7H2O] Zn 4.42
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

37. Fertilizer Compatibility Chart
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

38. Fertilizer solutions
Fertilizer product Maximum
amount (kg)
dissolved in 100
Liter at 20°C
Time to
dissolve
(minutes)
pH of the
solution
Insolubles
(%)
Comments
Urea 105 20 9.5 negligible Solution cools as urea dissolves.
Ammonium nitrate
[Nitram® NH4NO3]
195 20 5.62 Corrosive to galvanised iron and
brass. Solution cools as product
dissolves.
Sulfate of ammonia
[(NH4)2SO4]
43 15 4.5 0.5 Corrosive to mild steel.
Mono-ammonium
phosphate [MAP]
40 20 4.5 11 Corrosive to carbon steel.
Di-ammonium phosphate
[DAP]
60 20 7.6 15 Corrosive to carbon steel.
Muriate of potash [KCl] 34 5 7.0–9.0 0.5 Corrosive to brass and mild steel.
Sulfate of potash [K2SO4] 11 5 8.5–9.5 0.4–4 Corrosive to mild steel concrete.
K-spray [K2SO4] 11 1 8.5–9.5 0.4–4 Corrosive to mild steel concrete.
Potassium nitrate [KNO3] 31 3 10.8 0.1 Solution cools as product
dissolves. Corrosive to metals.

39. Micronutrient with pH
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

40. Fertigation With Mulching
• Water Use Efficiency
• Fertilizer Use Efficiency
• Less Weeds & Less Weedicide
• No Hoeing require
• Reduce Labor cost & Inputs
• Maintain Soil Temperature
• Less Insect-Pest attack & Less pesticide
• Less Fruit Rooting &
• High Yield with Better Quality
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

42. Decrease of Weed Growth
The limited wetted area around the dripper
significantly decreases the development of
weeds
The surface area between the drip lines is dry
and free of weeds
Saving the cost for spraying or cultivation
against weeds
More water and nutrients are left in the soil
for plant growth
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

44. Fertigation Schedule:
Coloured Capsicum
With 15 minute of
Irrigation
Fertilizers (kg/ acre) on weekly basis
Stages
Duration
(Days)
NPK
19:19:19
NPK
12:61:0
Calcium
Nitrate
NPK
0:52:34
NPK
13:0:45
Ammonium.
Sulphate
Magnesium
Sulfate
After
Planting 0-30 1.5 1.5 2.5 - 2
-
2
Flowering
Setting 31-65 2 2 5 - 4 2
4
First Harvest
66-95 2 - 5 2 4 2
4
Upto end of
Harvest 96-300 2 - 5 2 4 1.5
4
Also apply
•where pH is more than 8, apply EDTA form of Calcium and Magnesium
•Foliar spray of Micronutrient like Mn Sulfate @ 2 gm per litre and
• Boron @ 1 gm per litre once in a week
•in case of deficiency Foliar spray of Fe- EDTA + Zn- EDTA @ 100gm each per acre
•Once in a week give plain Irrigation
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

45. Fertigation Schedule: Cucumber
With 15 minute of
Irrigation
Fertilizers (kg/ acre) on Weekly basis
Stages
Duration
(Days)
NPK
19:19:19
NPK
12:61:0
Calcium
Nitrate
NPK
0:52:34
NPK
13:0:45
Ammonium
Sulphate
Magnesium
Sulfate
After
Planting 0-15 1 1 2.5 - 1 -
2
Growth
Flowering 15-45 2 1.5 5 - 2 2.5
4
Harvesting 45-75 2
-
5 2 3 2.5
4
upto end of
Harvest 75-100 2 - 5 2 3 2
4
Also apply
•where pH is more than 8, apply EDTA form of Calcium and Magnesium
•Foliar spray of Micronutrient like Mn Sulfate @ 2 gm per litre and
• Boron @ 1 gm per litre once in a week
•in case of deficiency Foliar spray of Fe- EDTA + Zn- EDTA @ 100gm each per acre
•Once in a week give plain Irrigation
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

46. Fertigation Schedule:
Tomato & Cherry Tomato
With 15 minute of
Irrigation
Fertilizers (kg/ acre) on weekly basis
Stages
Duration
(Days)
NPK
19:19:19
NPK
12:61:0
Calcium
Nitrate
NPK
0:52:34
NPK
13:0:45
Ammonium.
Sulphate
Magnesium
Sulfate
After
Planting 0-30 1 1.5 2.5 - 2
-
2
Flowering
Setting 31-90 2 2 5 - 4 2
4
Fruit Set to
Fist Harvest 91-120 2 - 5 2 4 2
4
Upto end of
Harvest 121-300 2 - 5 2 4 1.5
4
Also apply
•where pH is more than 8, apply EDTA form of Calcium and Magnesium
•Foliar spray of Micronutrient like Mn Sulfate @ 2 gm per litre and
• Boron @ 1 gm per litre once in a week
•in case of deficiency Foliar spray of Fe- EDTA + Zn- EDTA @ 100gm each per acre
•Once in a week give plain Irrigation
Indo – Israel Project
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur

47. Points of Making Fertigation Schedule
• Fertigation schedule in table should be followed
on weekly basis in Polyhouse / Green house /
Walk in tunnel / Net house.
• Fertigation schedule can be adjusted according to
the soil test report i.e. status of soil (PH & EC) and
soil type (sandy /loam / clay)
• Irrigation frequency should be according to
– Soil type i.e. more in sandy soil.
– Season (winter – less, summer – more)
Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur
Indo – Israel Project

48. FUTURE

49. FUTURE