How open fertigation systems in horticulture affects the quality of the soil environment

What is it about?

Fertigation, i.e. fertilization combined with irrigation, is an essential component of modern plant production that can be carried out in an open or closed system. In the open system, an excess of the applied nutrient solution exudes to the soil. In the closed system, the excess of nutrient solution is recirculated and, after disinfection, returns to the fertigation system and therefore it does not directly contaminate the environment. In the open system, there is an uncontrolled leakage of concentrated nutrient solutions to soil, and then to the ground or surface waters. The threat is significant because of usually very large amounts of fertilizers used for vegetable and ornamental plant fertigation in greenhouses. The change from an open system to a closed system saves both fertilizer and water.Moreover, it reduces soil and water pollution.

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Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash

Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The increase of nutrients contents in soil profile during seven years of monitoring was very high: S-SO4 2164%, P 684%, K 666%, Zn 572%, N-NH4 461%, N-NO3 326%, Mg 325%, Ca 283%, Mn 215%, Na 203%. Electrical conductivity also grew (633%). Besides the amount of fertilizers leaking from open fertigation systems, the vertical distribution of nutrients accumulating in the soil profile (mean content in subsequent soil layer), in relation to the duration of greenhouse operation, is also important.

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