Fertigation
Analiza U. Miso, Xavier University
Fertigation
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The contents of the SSWM Toolbox reflect the opinions of the respective authors and not necessarily the official opinion of the funding or
supporting partner organisations.
Depending on the initial situations and respective local circumstances, there is no guarantee that single measures described in the toolbox
will make the local water and sanitation system more sustainable. The main aim of the SSWM Toolbox is to be a reference tool to provide
ideas for improving the local water and sanitation situation in a sustainable manner. Results depend largely on the respective situation
and the implementation and combination of the measures described. An in-depth analysis of respective advantages and disadvantages and
the suitability of the measure is necessary in every single case. We do not assume any responsibility for and make no warranty with
respect to the results that may be obtained from the use of the information provided.
Fertigation
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Contents
1. Concept
2. How it can optimize
3. Operation and maintenance
4. Applicability
5. Advantages and disadvantages
6. References
Fertigation
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1. Concept
What is fertigation?
• Fertigation means irrigation plus fertilization which can be done
through buried or surface drip-lines or through sprinklers.
• Recent technological developments in the drip and micro-irrigation
methods have accelerated the adoption of fertigation for a wider
range of crops, including fruit trees.
• “To reduce dependence on freshwater and maintain a constant
source of irrigation water throughout the year, waste waters of
varying qualities can be used in agriculture.
• Generally, only waters that have had secondary treatment (i.e.
physical and biological treatment) should be used to limit the risk
of crop contamination and the health risk to workers.
Fertigation
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1. Concept
Example of fertigation
Source: TILLEY et al. (2008)
Source:
http://www.niab.org.pk/SoilScience_files/fertigation.jpg
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2. How it can optimize SSWM
Implementation and use of Fertigation can help in optimizing your local
water management and sanitation system and make it more sustainable
by:
•Minimizing competition between agriculture and urban areas for high
quality freshwater supplies, particularly in arid, semi-arid and densely
populated regions, will increase the pressure on this resource.
•Providing readily available nutrients found in greywater/wastewater
to the plants
•Providing a relatively safe way of discharging pre-treated wastewater
into the environment
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3. Operation and Maintenance
• Fertigation with the use of irrigating/microirrigating technologies
must be regularly check since they are susceptible to clogging.
• The management of risk is facilitated by conducting an analysis of
the entire production cycle from waste generation to consumption
of the product.
• Knowledge of the system is then used to identify health protection
measures that can reduce health risks at different points, in order
to arrive at the agreed health-based targets.
• Public health policies for interventions should ensure that the most
cost-effective measures are applied in specific contexts.
• Guidelines for the use of excreta and greywater in agriculture exist
from the WHO (2006)
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4. Applicability
• Fertigation does not provide adequate treatment for raw
wastewater and this technology should only be considered for
discharging pre-settled wastewater or greywater as well as
rainwater.
• Fertigation is suitable for both rural and peri-urban areas
• Fertigation is very much suited in areas where fresh water is very
scarce, like urban areas, particularly in arid, semi-arid and densely
populated regions, will increase the pressure on this resource.
Fertigation
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5. Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
• Minimizing soil compaction by
avoiding heavy equipment traffic
through the field to apply
fertilizers
•Fertigation using dripi-irrigation or
micro-irrigation is very sensitive to
clogging
• Reduced energy demand
•May require expert design and
installation
• Reduced labor input careful
regulation and monitoring of
nutrient supply
•Not all parts and materials may be
available locally
• Even distribution of nutrients
throughout the root zone
• application of nutrients matched in
amounts and timing to the plant
nutrient requirements
(BURT et al. 1998)
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6. Reference
BURT, C., O’CONNOR ., K. & RUEHR, T. (1998): Fertigation. Irrigation Training and Research Center. California
Polytechnic State Univ, San Luis Obispo, CA.p. 295.
TILLEY, E., LÜTHI, C., MOREL, A., ZURBRÜGG, C. & SCHERTENLEIB, R. (2008): Compendium of Sanitation Systems and
Technologies, Switzerland, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG) & Water Supply and Sanitation
Collaborative Council
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“Linking up Sustainable Sanitation,
Water Management & Agriculture”
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