10.Types of Fertilizers Compatible with Drip Systems
Any water-soluble chemical fertilizers can be applied via drip irrigation. Water-soluble compound fertilizers are preferred due to their high solubility, rich nutrient content, and balanced composition. Organic fertilizers like chicken or pig manure require pre-treatment—they must be composted into liquid form, filtered, and then applied.
11. Can Organic Fertilizers (e.g., Manure) Be Used in Drip Irrigation?
Since drip systems operate under liquid pressure, solid organic fertilizers cannot be directly applied. However, fermented biogas slurry or filtered composted manure (e.g., chicken/pig manure) can be used after rigorous filtration:
Filtration process: 20-mesh stainless steel → 80-mesh → 120-mesh disc filters.
This method avoids the drawbacks of chemical fertilizers while ensuring even nutrient distribution and labor efficiency.
12. Common Fertilization Methods for Drip Systems
Multiple techniques are available based on system design:
Gravity-fed fertilization: Utilizes natural pressure from elevated reservoirs.
Pump-based methods: Includes suction, injection, or bypass tank systems.
Venturi or proportional pumps: Precisely mix fertilizers with irrigation water.
13. Critical Precautions for Drip Fertigation
Avoid over-irrigation: Excessive watering wastes resources and leaches nutrients (especially nitrogen) beyond root zones, causing yellowing leaves and stunted growth.
System flushing: Post-fertilization, flush pipes with clean water for 30 minutes to prevent clogging from residual algae or microbes. Monitor flushing duration with conductivity meters.
14. How to Prevent Over-Irrigation?
Check root zone moisture manually with a shovel.
Install tensiometers to monitor soil moisture levels in real time.
15. Fertilizing During Rainy Seasons
Even if soil is moist, apply fertilizers post-rainfall or during slight dryness. Complete fertilization within 30 minutes, and delay pipe flushing until sunny weather resumes. Conductivity meters help optimize timing to prevent nutrient leaching.
