Currently, four advanced fertilization technologies exist worldwide. Firstly, simultaneous sowing and fertilization is widely adopted. Secondly, covering soil after fertilization helps improve efficiency. Thirdly, layered fertilization enhances nutrient supply. Lastly, drip irrigation integrates water and fertilizer application. Originally designed to combat drought, this method has evolved significantly. It now stands as one of the most advanced fertilization technologies globally.
1. Which Crops Are Suitable for Drip Irrigation?
To determine if a crop is suitable for drip irrigation, you mainly evaluate two factors: economic feasibility and planting method. Drip irrigation works well for a wide range of crops, including:All row-planted and ridged field crops、Potted plants、Various crops grown on hillsides、Economic forests.
2. Advantages of Drip Irrigation
(1) Integrated fertilizer-water delivery: Drip irrigation carries fertilizers with water, directly transporting the nutrients plants need to their root zones evenly. This significantly improves fertilizer use efficiency.
(2) Uniform water and fertilizer supply: Based on a crop’s nutrient demand pattern, target yield, and the base nutrient content of the soil, you can deliver different fertilizers at any time. This ensures plants get sufficient nutrients for healthy growth—with no waste.
(3) Labor and time savings: Operating drip irrigation is simple: just open the valve, check the power switch, or even control it with a single tap on your phone—making it a prime example of smart agriculture.
(4) Reduced disease risk: Drip irrigation paired with ridged cultivation effectively prevents soil-borne diseases. For greenhouse crops, it lowers humidity inside the shed, reducing the occurrence of fungal and bacterial diseases.
(5) Temperature and humidity control: By regulating water volume, drip irrigation reduces air humidity and raises soil temperature—creating optimal growing conditions.
(6) Higher yield and better quality: Easy access to water ensures plants get adequate water and nutrients at every growth stage. This not only boosts yield but also improves crop quality, helping farmers earn more from their harvests. (This directly answers the question: Yes, drip irrigation increases yield.)
(7) Ridged drip irrigation combined with plastic mulching effectively addresses multiple challenges in open-field crop cultivation. Firstly, this method suppresses weed growth, preventing competition for vital nutrients. Additionally, it avoids soil compaction, which typically restricts healthy root development. During dry periods, the system retains essential soil moisture, while heavy rains trigger efficient drainage to prevent waterlogging. These combined benefits protect crops from both drought stress and excess water damage, which can stunt growth or cause root rot. Ultimately, this approach stabilizes yields by creating optimal growing conditions throughout seasonal fluctuations.
(8) Cost savings and efficiency gains: Drip irrigation cuts fertilizer and pesticide use by over 30%, saves water by more than 50%, reduces labor needs by over 30%, and increases yield by at least 30%.
