Fertigation offers ease and efficiency

Fertigation is the practice of applying soluble fertilisers dissolved in water through an irrigation system. Depending on the irrigation system used, an optimised nutrient programme can be designed to account for key factors such as crop growth stage, soil type and soil pH.

Of all freshwater used globally, agriculture takes 70 percent. “Therefore it is of great importance that we continually implement processes that improve the efficiency of water consumption in our agricultural and horticultural practices,” says David Spencer, Yara NZ Agronomy Manager.

“Fertigation is an efficient, high-performing, flexible nutrition practice that enables nutrients to be applied to match the changing plant demands through the growing season and yield expectations to maximise productivity. It helps growers to minimise any wastage of water and nutrient products.”

The YaraTera range of fertigation products are specifically designed for field fertigation and include the water-soluble Kristalon NPK product formulations which have several nutrient ratios for use at different growth stages.

In Marlborough, 30 ha of Sauvignon Blanc vines were planted in 2017 at Five Oaks Vineyard, with the grapes being sold under contract to a large, local winery.

Vineyard manager Jason Neal says, from the beginning, the plan was to do the best by the plants and give them everything they needed to grow.

“We came up with a fertigation plan including Kristalon products from that first season and saw great results in terms of vine growth vigour and trunk diameter. The vineyard is situated on river flats and has varying soil types, silty loam soils and river gravels, which makes it tough to manage. By having the capability to apply nutrients through fertigation, we can supply the right nutrients at the right time in the right place. It means we can deliver highquality grapes and consistently high yields year on year. We often see magnesium deficiencies in blocks, particularly where the soil is lighter, so with fertigation we can supplement more magnesium where it is needed during the season, and therefore maintain a healthy canopy."

Nick Kininmonth, Technical Horticultural Representative for Fruitfed Supplies Blenheim, is an advocate for fertigation. “I see a lot of vineyards across the region. Where fertigation is used, the vines look strong with good healthy canopies. Having the ability to react or act in advance of a particular growth period or weather event by applying the nutrients when the vines need them is a great tool.

This was particularly evident last season being so dry. Vineyards using fertigation maintain a healthy canopy whereas many other vineyards came under stress.”

Benefits of fertigation

» Nutrients applied directly to the root zone via drippers, sprinklers
or pivots.

» Smaller amounts of fertiliser are applied little and often.

» Ability to apply precisely controlled nutrients at any time during the growing season based on crop needs.

» Highly mobile nutrients, such as nitrogen, can be carefully managed to ensure rapid crop uptake.

» Reduced tractor operations, saving fuel, wear, and labour.

» Well-designed injection systems are simple to use, suit automation and are easy to monitor.

» Reduced loss of fertiliser due to unseasonal weather.

» When properly formulated and applied, there is a very low chance of over-fertilisation and resultant salt injury.

Working with the Fruitfed Supplies team, Yara’s agronomists can draw on their deep knowledge of plant nutrient requirements and expansive product portfolio to provide customised programmes for any commercially grown crop in New Zealand.

Talk with your local Fruitfed Supplies Technical Horticultural Representative for more details on Yara fertigation solutions for your horticultural crop.