What are the advantages of fertigation in agriculture?

1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible.

2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible.

3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible.

4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct option is 1, 3 and 4 only.

1. Controlling the alkalinity of irrigation water is possible:
Fertigation allows the direct addition of acidic fertilizers or specific acids (such as phosphoric acid, nitric acid, or sulfuric acid) to the irrigation system. This chemical introduction helps in neutralizing or adjusting the pH (alkalinity) of the irrigation water, preventing nozzle clogging and maintaining optimal soil pH conditions for crops.

2. Efficient application of Rock Phosphate and all other phosphatic fertilizers is possible (Incorrect statement):
Rock phosphate is insoluble in water and cannot be used in fertigation systems because it would clog the drip emitters and pipes. While some highly water-soluble phosphatic fertilizers (like Monoammonium Phosphate or Monopotassium Phosphate) can be used, it is incorrect to state that "all other phosphatic fertilizers" and especially "Rock Phosphate" can be efficiently applied through fertigation.

3. Increased availability of nutrients to plants is possible:
Since nutrients are dissolved directly in the irrigation water, they are delivered straight to the active root zone in a readily absorbable, liquid form. This targeted delivery significantly increases the nutrient uptake efficiency and availability to the plants compared to traditional broadcast methods.

4. Reduction in the leaching of chemical nutrients is possible:
Fertigation enables spoon-feeding of nutrients, meaning fertilizers are applied in small, controlled quantities matching the precise growth stages and demand of the crop. Because water and nutrients are supplied directly to the root zone without excessive deep watering, the deep percolation and leaching of mobile chemical nutrients (like nitrates) into the groundwater are minimized.