TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES OF CHEMIGATION

Question: You've convinced me that fertigation and other chemigation methods can save me money. But do they do as good a job?

Answer: Even better! A lot of ag research stations have investigated the application of chemicals through irrigation systems. Typically they find that fertigation provides the following advantages compared to ground application:

Higher crop yields due to precise application of fertilizer,
Lower total nutrient application rates,
Able to more closely match fertilizer application rates to crop uptake rates,
Ease of changing fertilizer formulation during the season,
Reduced soil compaction because less equipment runs in the field,
No "striping" due to skipping, overlaps, and plug-ups,
Reduced crop damage because less machinery runs in the field,
Reduced run-off of agricultural chemicals,
Lower risk of ground water contamination,
Lower energy requirements.

Question: What about chemicals other than fertilizers?

Answer: Most of the above advantages extend to pesticide injection. In addition, researchers report:

Lower exposure risk to application personnel,
Less difficulty with drift.

Question: How does all this fit together with some of the newer irrigation technologies?

Answer: Two technological advances offer us examples of the perfect fit between injectors and irrigation systems:

Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) heads make pivots even more effective as application devices. LEPA heads are usually arranged to deliver water beneath the crop foliage canopy. Several LEPA head designs have multiple operating modes including the capability to convert between down-spray and up-spray. This feature further improves the flexibility of chemical application by center pivots.

Sub-surface drip irrigation is a technology that couldn't exist without injectors. All crop nutrients are delivered directly to the plant roots through the irrigation lines while the search continues for new systemic pesticides that are well-suited for root uptake. Chemicals must also be injected to keep irrigation lines free of slime that would plug the drip emitters.

This article is reprinted from ChemIndustrial Systems, Inc.; CSI INFO/UPDATE #8 Oct 21, 1994

As you are probably aware, the TRICKL-EEZ Company markets and sells several makes and models of injectors and proportioners. If you are interested in upgrading your system, please feel free to contact one of our offices for more information on how this technology might benefit you directly!