Update on Fertigation Management Practices Provides Fruitful Intel for Farmers
May 15, 2023 Representatives of three fertigation management companies — Aerobotics, Phytech, and WiseConn Engineering — address having to adjust to California’s wet winter and taking advantage of fertilizer prices that, despite falling in the last year, are still at near-record levels.
Here is a short Q&A that gives their take on the situation.
The water issue in California has turned 180 degrees in just a few months. How is this affecting the fertigation game plan for the state’s growers?
Guillermo Valenzuela, Vice President of Sales and Marketing (WiseConn Engineering): “As a result of wet soils and rainy spring, there is less need for irrigation. Therefore, the fertigation period has shortened. Growers and suppliers need to shift their game plan to identify priorities and focus on executing fertigation on those products. Since the fertigation window is shorter, precise fertigation injection and distribution throughout the field will be necessary. High-frequency irrigation events with high concentrations will enable more product to be put in in less time and more evenly through blocks. The agronomic challenge here will be to inject as fast as possible while considering the limit of what the crops can intake, so fertilizers and their prices are
not wasted.”
Ziv Attia, Head of Agronomy (Phytech): “Growers will need to devise efficient application methods between rain events to ensure effective fertilizer penetration in the tree’s active root zone, while also preventing costly leaching to deeper soil profiles. Plant-, soil-, and fertilizer application-monitoring solutions will be essential tools in the grower’s arsenal to make data-driven decisions to determine the right time, right amount, and right place of fertilizer application. Moreover, unfavorable conditions during key phenological stages will have a detrimental impact on yield. For example, in the almond industry, heavy rains and cold temperatures have affected successful bee flights and pollination efficiency. Therefore, growers will need to revisit their nutritional plan due to the reduced forecasted yield.”
The effects of a blocked line on tree canopies in an almond orchard.
Photo courtesy of Aerobotics
Liaan Janse van Vuuren, Chief Agronomist (Aerobotics): “With exceptional rainfall exceeding 2022 rainfall already, California might seem to be out of the woods regarding rainfall. However, more than 70% of California is still seen as exceptionally dry according to other seasons. The recent rainfall also poses a new risk of flooding in some areas. Growers will need to continuously adjust their fertigation strategy based on the unique situation of individual blocks. Precision agriculture poses an opportunity for growers to tailor their solutions by accurately identifying areas where either too much or too little water might have an effect on the overall yield.”
How have fertilizer prices influenced the practice of fertigation since rising dramatically in May 2020?
Van Vuuren (Aerobotics): “Three years later, it has never been more important to manage your nutritional and irrigation programs with the utmost care. Growers are having to reconsider application in general and at times re-evaluate strategies on certain crop types, depending on returns expected. Irrigation hardware-related issues during the season will become non-negotiable, considering the financial implications caused by these events, and nutritional programs will need to be dialed in and executed with great attention to detail. This means evaluating and understanding the efficiency of your irrigation system is paramount in regard to high fertilizer prices, as low efficiency will affect the ability of the crop to receive proper nutrition.”
Mark Sherfy, Customer Success Manager and Project Manager (Phytech): “Plant and soil monitoring tools, together with precision fertigation technologies, such as fertigation flow meters, have become common tools for determining how fertilizers should be applied in accordance with the 4Rs of nutrient application. Additionally, many growers now stick to the ‘basics’ by applying only the minimum necessary amount of fertilizer, increasing the frequency of tissue and soil samples to adjust their fertigation strategies, and optimizing the use of other water or soil inputs. Lastly, the rising cost of fertilizers has also sparked increased interest in alternative technologies that can reduce fertilizer usage and improve nutrient management. These may include soil health management practices, such as the use of cover crops, compost, or other organic amendments.”
Valenzuela (WiseConn): “Overall, the rise in fertilizer prices has led to increased awareness and adoption of more efficient and targeted fertigation practices. As a result, the correct use of technologies to optimize their fertigation practices has become more relevant. This includes using sensors and automation to monitor soil moisture levels and nutrient levels, as well as to automate the fertigation process to ensure precise and timely application of fertilizers. The next few seasons are when growers will be required to use whatever is available in ground and manage the most cost-effective way to fertigate.”
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