Fertigation

1. Soluble fertilizer is dissolved or metered into a mixing or holding tank
2. An injector meters the fertilizer solution into the irrigation line at a set rate
3. The nutrient-and-water mixture is distributed through the same emitters used for irrigation
4. Nutrients are delivered close to the crop root zone alongside irrigation water
5. Application timing and volume are adjusted to match the crop's nutrient uptake pattern

Fertigation allows nutrient timing benefits that are difficult to achieve with a small number of soil-applied doses, particularly for high-value horticultural crops with well-understood nutrient uptake curves.

• Vegetables grown under drip or micro-irrigation
• Orchard and vine crops with established irrigation infrastructure
• Greenhouse production systems with precise nutrient control

• Allows precise timing of nutrient delivery matched to crop demand
• Reduces the labor associated with separate soil-applied fertilizer passes
• Can improve nutrient-use efficiency when doses are well matched to uptake

• Requires compatible, fully soluble fertilizer and reliable injection equipment
• Over-application can still leach nutrients beyond the root zone
• Adds equipment cost and maintenance requirements to the irrigation system

Monitoring water quality and pH helps avoid precipitate formation that can clog emitters. Backflow-prevention devices are also a standard requirement to protect the broader water supply from contamination by injected fertilizer.