Innovations in fertigation

July 19, 2024

By Janet Kanters

In the vast expanse of modern agriculture, where every innovation holds the promise of greater efficiency and yield, fertigation emerges as both a beacon of hope and a realm of challenges.

Jackson Stansell, founder and CEO of Sentinel Fertigation and a leading voice in the field, sheds light on the evolving landscape of fertigation. “Fertigation is such a niche market that very few people pay attention to it,” he observes. “Some of the biggest work being done in fertigation right now can be divided into two areas: broadacre and specialty crop fertigation.”

Jackson Stansell (pictured) says specialty crop fertigation is witnessing a surge of innovation focused on automation and precision. Photo: Jacob Schlick, Saturn’s Lens

Specialty crop fertigation, primarily conducted through drip systems, is witnessing a surge of innovation focused on automation and precision. Stansell emphasizes, “A lot of the innovation in specialty crop fertigation revolves around automation and increasing resolution. Instead of applying fertilizers in large blocks, we’re now targeting smaller zones with valve automation, enabling precise nutrient delivery.”

The concept of higher precision fertigation extends beyond specialty crops to encompass broadacre row and vegetable crops. Recent advancements, such as IoT-connected fertigation pumps, allow real-time monitoring and adjustment of flow rates and injection. Stansell highlights the significance of these technologies, stating, “There’s an entire IoT component to fertigation now, revolutionizing how we manage and optimize nutrient application.”

Moreover, there’s a shift towards increased resolution in fertigation practices. Traditionally applied uniformly across entire fields, fertigation is now moving towards sector-based or even individual sprinkler-level control. This nuanced approach optimizes nutrient delivery, maximizing crop yields while minimizing waste.

Despite its potential, fertigation remains a largely untapped resource, with adoption primarily concentrated in specific regions. Stansell explains, “We primarily focus on Nebraska, where 85 percent of our business lies. Nebraska serves as the capital of fertigated corn, with roughly one-third of fertigated corn in the U.S. grown here.”

Fertigation is now moving towards sector-based or individual sprinkler-level control. Photo: Matt Sherman, Three Pillars Media

Fertigation pros – and cons
The advantages of fertigation are many, with its ability to offer a precise application window and timely nutrient delivery standing out as key benefits. Stansell elaborates, “Fertigation is the only practice that consistently allows farmers, especially corn farmers, to access the crop throughout its entire nitrogen use cycle. This ensures optimal nutrient availability from planting through the mid-reproductive growth stages.”

Moreover, fertigation offers immediate incorporation of nutrients into the soil, providing plants with immediate access to essential elements. This contrasts with traditional fertilization methods, where nutrients may take time to become plant available.

Stansell says the most common formulations used in fertigation practices for commodity row crops (e.g., corn, wheat, cotton) are 32% UAN, 28% UAN, 28-0-0-5, 30-0-0-3, 25-0-0-8 and 12-0-0-26 (the fourth numbers in these analyses are percentages of sulphur). Specialty crops often use more unique formulations.

Fertigation is not without its challenges. High capital costs, labour and logistics pose significant hurdles for adoption. Stansell acknowledges these concerns: “Capital costs are a major complaint, along with labour and equipment degradation risks. However, these challenges can be mitigated with proper management and investment in newer irrigation systems.”

Despite these challenges, fertigation is experiencing steady growth, driven by the promise of efficiency gains, profitability and agronomic benefits. Indeed, USDA statistics reveal an 18 percent growth in grain corn fertigation between 2013 and 2018, indicating a rising trend across various crops.

When it comes to crop selection, fertigation benefits a wide range of crops, particularly nitrogen-intensive and specialty crops. Stansell emphasizes, “Any crop can benefit from fertigation, depending on the nutrient applied. However, nitrogen-intensive crops and specialty crops that require consistent dosing stand to benefit the most.”

Fertigation benefits a wide range of crops, particularly nitrogen-intensive and specialty crops. Photo: Sentinel Fertigation

The future of fertigation
Looking ahead, Stansell foresees fertigation playing a pivotal role in global agriculture. From Europe to Brazil, South Africa to New Zealand, fertigation is gaining traction in regions with coarse-textured soils and increasing irrigation needs. Moreover, emerging markets like Mexico and parts of the U.S. Corn Belt are witnessing significant adoption, driven by the need for efficient nutrient delivery systems.

As the world grapples with increasing drought areas, fertigation emerges as a viable solution, particularly in regions with high water availability and supplemental irrigation needs. Stansell explains, “Fertigation offers a practical solution to nutrient delivery in areas with high water availability but varying irrigation needs. It allows for precise nutrient application, maximizing efficiency while conserving water resources.”

In conclusion, fertigation represents a paradigm shift in modern agriculture, offering a pathway to sustainable and efficient nutrient management. With continued innovation and adoption, fertigation holds the key to unlocking higher yields, profitability and environmental stewardship in the agricultural landscape of tomorrow.

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