Unit

4 Irrigation and
Fertigation in
Greenhouses

Introduction
An efficient irrigation system, preferably micro irrigation,
combined with fertigation system is required for any
type of greenhouse cultivation. The quality of water is
an important parameter to be considered when micro
irrigation systems are used. Poor quality water may
clog the emitting points of micro irrigation systems.
In micro irrigation systems, less quantity of water is
used precisely to meet the crop water requirement. In
this Unit, quality and the quantity of irrigation water
required, the types of micro irrigation systems, types
of fertiliser and fertigation methods are discussed with
reference to flower cultivation under greenhouses.
Besides, processes for cleaning and maintenance of
fertigation equipment have also been discussed.

Session 1: Micro Irrigation Systems and

their Application

Quality and Quantity of Water required for

Irrigation in Greenhouse
Water quality can be defined as the quality that
influences its suitability for specific use, i.e., whether
the quality is suitable for drinking, irrigation, industrial

Chapter -4.indd 45 17-03-2021 15:03:13

 use, etc. For successful flower crop production in a
EC: the electrical greenhouse, attention must be given to the quality of
conductivity of water water. Drip fertigation requires good quality water, i.e.,
estimates the total
it should be free of suspended particulates, solids or
amount of solids
dissolved in water, micro-organisms that can possibly choke small openings
i.e., TDS, which (orifices) of the emitters. For cultivation of flowers in
stands for Total a controlled environment, water quality plays a pivotal
Dissolved Solids. role in the production of cut flowers for its colour, stem
TDS is measured in length and bud size along with climatic conditions.
ppm (parts per million) Normally, a pH between 6.5–7 is recommended for
or in mg/l.
irrigation, and electrical conductivity (EC) should be
less than 0.7ds/m. In such a case, after addition of
fertilisers, the pH goes up, EC goes more than 1 ds/m
pH: it is a measure
of how acidic or basic
and we have to maintain the uptake of fertilisers.
water is. The range Generally, the requirement of water is based on the
goes from 0–14, following factors.
with 7 being neutral. (i) Plant spacing
A pH of less than (ii) Canopy (covering) area
7 indicates acidity, (iii) Rate of evaporation and transpiration
whereas a pH greater (iv) Soil type
than 7 indicates a (v) Age of plants (growth stage) and fertiliser requirement
basicity. pH is really
(vi) Stage of plants: vegetative growth and harvesting
a measure of the
relative amount of stage
free hydrogen and (vii) Season
hydroxyl ions in Table 4.1: The general quality of irrigation water
the water. and water requirement for flower cultivation
S. Description Rose Gerbera Carnation
No.
1. Number of 6 6 20
plants per sq m
2. Spacing 30 × 37.5 cm 30 × 37.5 cm 15 × 15 cm
3. Water pH 6.5–7.0 6.5–7.0 6.5–7.0
4. Electrical <0.7 <0.7 <0.7
Conductivity
(EC)
5. Life-cycle 50–60 30–36 24 months
months months
6. Water 3–4 litres sq 3–4 litres sq 3–5 litres sq
requirement per m/day m/day m/day
day

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 Depending upon the peak water requirement of
the plant and the number of plants, a storage tank
or source of the desired capacity is made available for
proper irrigation.

Micro Irrigation Systems and their Application

The selection of irrigation systems with a fertigation
arrangement is important for protected cultivation.
The selection of drip system depends on the following
factors.
(i) Crop spacing
(ii) Crop water requirement
(iii) Soil type
(iv) Growing media
(v) Where to grow: beds/trough/pots
(vi) Discharge rate of emitter
(vii) Distances of emitters on drip line
(viii) Bed size
(ix) Water quality
(x) Electricity availability
(xi) Fertigation requirements of crop
Benefits of Drip System
(i) More efficient water use.
(ii) More efficient use of fertilisers.
(iii) Less pumping cost.
(iv) Less chemical usage.
(v) Less labour required.
(vi) Significantly higher yield.
Fig. 4.1: Drip Irrigation System
(vii) Better crop quality.
(viii) Better uniformity of application.
The drip system should be easily serviceable,
economical, user-friendly with higher emission
uniformity and lower coefficient of variation, to maintain
optimum moisture level in the soil. For different crops,
different discharge and spacing options available in the
market can be used. The diameters of laterals depend
on the total discharge in specific length and frictional
loss. Though there are different diameters available in
the market, the most common are 12 mm and 16 mm.
The discharge for closed spacing crop should be lower,

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 like for carnation: 1 litre per hour (LPH)/2 LPH @ 20
cm spacing. Generally, for rose and gerbera, a 16 mm
diameter 2 LPH @ 20 cm/30 cm spacing inline drippers
are used. For potted plants, stake drippers of 1 LPH for
each pot are used.
There are various type of drip systems available in
the market based on land topography and usage. These
systems are used for performing the following functions.
(i) Non Pressure Compensating (NPC)
(ii) Pressure Compensating (PC)
(iii) Pressure Compensating cum Non-Leaking (PCCNL)/
Pressure Compensating with Anti-leak

Fig. 4.2: Accessories of drip line

(1) Start connecter
1 4 (2) Rubber grommet
8 (3) Lateral control valve
(4) Lateral end plug
(5) End Cap
2 5 (6) Start connecter
(7) Tee
9
(8) Elbow
9) Mini sprinkler

3 7 6

(a) (b)
(a) Fig. 4.3: NPC Dripper

(b)
Fig. 4.4: PC Dripper

Fig. 4.5: PCCNL Dripper Fig. 4.6: PCCNL Dripper with Stake

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 Sprinkler System
This system is more popular for nurseries like seedling
units where the spacing remains very close, plants are
too small and density is very high. Nowadays, overhead,
anti-leak sprinklers (hanging like foggers) are more
popular in India because they have several advantages
as being overhead it facilitates better working space.
Moreover, since it is anti-leak, cyclic use and greater
uniformity of application is possible.
Also, nowadays people are using sprinklers at the
roof of greenhouse/polyhouse because due to dust
formation at roof, the transparency of light remains
lower and it helps to clean the roof. Please note that
this operation should be done at night so that during
sunshine, the film remains dry, otherwise there may be Fig. 4.7: Water sprinkler
algae formation.

Activity 1: Identify components of drip irrigation system.

Material required: notebook, pen, etc.
Procedure
• Visit a drip irrigation unit
• Observe the types of drip system
• Note down the different components of the unit
• Identify different types of valves, drippers, lateral, etc
• Write the functions of different components

Activity 2: Visit a greenhouse and note down plant spacing

of different flower plants.
Material required: pen, pad, measuring tape, etc.
Procedure
• Note down the flower crop grown in protected structure.
• Observe the flower plantation/spacing.
• Measure at three different places and take average of plant-
to-plant and row-to-row distance.
• Calculate the total number of plants per sq. metre and total
number of plants in protected structure.

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 Notes Check Your Progress

A. Fill in the blanks

1. Commonly available diameter of laterals in India is
__________ and _________ mm.
2. For potted plants stake drippers of discharge ______ LPH
for each pot is used.
3. Sprinklers used on the top of greenhouse helps in
______________.
4. Normally pH of irrigation water should range between
______________.
5. Normally, in greenhouse the number of carnation plants
per sq m is ___________.
6. Water requirement of rose plants is ______________ per sq
m/day.

B. Mark the correct answers

1. A method of irrigation in which use of less water precisely
to the crop is ___________.
(a) Flood irrigation
(b) Macro irrigation
(c) Basin irrigation
(d) Micro irrigation
2. Which of the following can adjust pressure but not
control leakage?
(a) NPC dripper
(b) PC dripper
(c) PCCNL dripper
(d) None of these

C. Descriptive questions
1. What is quality of water?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. What is drip irrigation system? Write some of its benefits.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. Write in brief
1. Micro irrigation system and its application
2. Sprinkler system

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 D. Match the columns Notes
A B
1. Drip irrigation (a) Nozzles and dripper
2. Emitters (b) pH and EC
3. Water quality (c) Trickle irrigation
4. Sprinkler (d) Water let out

Session 2: Types of Fertilisers and their

Scheduling
Most greenhouse operations apply soluble fertilisers
through irrigation systems, thus the use of the term
‘fertigation’. This is accomplished by drip (pipes) where
soluble fertilisers are injected using injectors at a
calculated quantity of concentrated solution (stock
solution) into the irrigation line so that the water from
the hose (dilute solution) carries as much fertiliser as
planned. Fertigation provides not only greater resource
optimisation, but also better adaptability for suitable
placement and delivery of inputs, thereby increasing
nutrient uptake efficiency, predictability, precision as per
the requirement of the plant or the media formulations.
The fertigation method varies depending on the type of
crop, irrigation required and the size and technological
status of the greenhouse. The simplest method is to
combine soluble fertiliser in a watering container or use
a hose injector or sprinkler to water plants by hand.
This method is tedious and time-consuming but may
be best when growing a variety of species with different
fertiliser needs in small area. Therefore, fertiliser injector
is relevant for use where fertiliser requirements of large
number of plants are nearly uniform.

Fertigation
Fertigation is a precise, controlled and tested method of
applying fertilisers, nutrients and other water-soluble
products through drip lines and sometimes by micro-
sprinkler irrigation systems as per crop requirements,
its stage, canopy size, soil or season, etc.

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 Notes Advantages of Fertigation
(i) Helps supply both water and fertiliser
simultaneously.
(ii) Increases yield by 25–30 per cent.
(iii) Saving in fertilisers by 25–30 per cent.
(iv) Application and distribution of fertilisers uniformly
and accurately.
(v) Modifications in nutrient requirement as per crop.
(vi) Lower pH can help in avoiding clogging of drippers.
(vii) Major and micro nutrients can be supplied together
with irrigation.
(viii) Requisite amount of fertilisers can be injected in
concentration.
(ix) Saves time, labour and energy.

Points to remember for adopting Fertigation

Gravitational fertiliser tank or injection pump such as
venturi (a short piece of narrow tube between wider
sections for measuring flow rate or exerting suction) are
utilised to inject the fertiliser as per plant requirements.
(i) Pressure compensating drippers or inline drippers
instead of micro tubes may be used for precision.
(ii) Feeding frequency depends on crop, its stage of
growth and season.
(iii) Stock solution should preferably not be above
10 per cent.
(iv) The fertiliser solution should be compatible with
other ingredients detailed in subsequent session.
Compatibility means mixing ability without
precipitation.
(v) Do not inject fertilisers in combination with
pesticides or chlorine.
(vi) The time taken by fertiliser supply should not
exceed the time given for water supply.
Avoid excess water supply, which may cause the
leaching (drain away from soil) of fertilisers.

Fertilisers Suitable for Fertigation

There are a number of soluble fertilisers specifically
developed for fertigation. Some of the soluble fertilisers
have characteristics that are suitable to specific soil

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 conditions, while others can be used in general for Notes
different types of soils. For example, certain soils have
over abundance of sulphur, yet may require other
nutrients like potassium, calcium and/or magnesium.
However, acidic soils require potassium, calcium and
magnesium and hence may restrict the use of acidifying
fertilisers.
Nitrogen Sources
Nitrogen is the predominant element used in any kind of
fertigation, including the ones used in greenhouses, as
plants require it in large quantities besides being highly
mobile across different phases of biogeochemical cycles.
Nitrogen is used in fertigation from various sources and
in different forms. Urea and urea ammonium nitrate
solutions are considered the most predominant forms
of nitrogen used as fertilisers. Nowadays soluble urea
phosphate has also become available in the market.
Fertigation through drip or sprinklers should avoid
the use of free or anhydrous ammonia (compound
containing no water).
Major sources of nitrogen, along with information on
their use in fertigation are given below.
Ammonium Phosphate
It may lead to lowering of pH and soil acidification. High
calcium or magnesium in the water for irrigation causes
precipitate formations and it can choke the drip emitters
and drip lines.
Ammonium Sulphate
It is a commonly used fertiliser. It is an inorganic soil
supplement that benefits especially in alkaline soils.
The active ingredients in it are nitrogen and sulphur. It
dissolves readily in water, and is convenient to use for
fertigation. It tends to be acid forming, which could be a
disadvantage if greenhouse media is acidic.
Ammonium Thio-sulphate
It is used both as a fertiliser and as an acidulating (which
makes it slightly acidic) agent. When ammonium thio-
sulphate is applied to the soil through fertigation, the

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 Notes sulphur-oxidising bacteria, Thiobacillus spp., oxidises
free sulphur to form sulphuric acid. The sulphuric acid
dissolves lime in the soil and forms gypsum. The gypsum
makes it easier and helps maintain good porosity and
aeration.
Calcium Ammonium Nitrate
It is high in fast acting nitrate-nitrogen, low in lasting
ammonium nitrogen, and supplies calcium. Calcium
ammonium nitrate may be combined with ammonium
nitrate, magnesium nitrate, potassium nitrate and
potassium chloride.
Calcium Nitrate
It is soluble in water and causes only a slight shift
in the soil or water pH. However, if the water is high
in bicarbonate, the calcium content may lead to
precipitation of calcium carbonate (lime).
Urea Ammonium Nitrate
Nitrogen is available in three forms — nitrate nitrogen,
urea nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen. The nitrate
portion is immediately available as soon as it reaches
the root zone. The urea portion moves freely with the
soil water until it is hydrolysed by the urease enzyme
responsible for the formation of ammonium nitrogen.
Urea Sulphuric Acid
It is well suited for fertigation. Urea sulphuric acid is
an acidic fertiliser, which combines urea and sulphuric
acid. The nitrogen and sulphuric acid contents of these
products vary depending on their specific formulation.
The advantage of this combination eliminates disadvan-
tages of their use singly. The sulphuric acid decreases
losses of ammonia from soil due to volatilisation.
Phosphorus Sources
Monoammonium phosphate, di-ammonium phosphate,
monobasic potassium phosphate, ammonium
polyphosphate, urea phosphate and phosphoric acid
are some of the most common phosphate carrying
water-soluble fertilisers. But if applied with high

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 calcium or magnesium concentrations, they can cause Notes
precipitation and choking of drip pipes or emitters. The
precipitates so formed in drip pipes are fairly stubborn
and do not dissolve easily. In order to clean such drip
pipes and remove precipitates, the use of phosphoric
acid injection is required, which also lowers the pH
of the irrigation water. Its use may be advisable only
when the pH of the fertiliser-irrigation water mixture
remains low. But when the pH is high (due to dilution
with the irrigation water) the phosphate may precipitate
due to the presence of calcium and magnesium. One
approach that is sometimes successful is to supplement
the phosphoric acid injections with sulphuric or urea
sulphuric acid to assure that the pH of the irrigation
water remains low.
Ammonium Nitrate
It is a liquid fertiliser mainly used as a source of nitrogen
in greenhouses. It is available in two forms of nitrogen
— the nitrate-nitrogen form (mobile and instantly
available) and ammonium-nitrogen (the longer lasting,
as micro-organisms convert it to the nitrate form).
The major phosphorus sources along with information
on their use in fertigation are as follows.
Ammonium Polyphosphate
It can be used as a fertiliser only by low injection rates.
If the water being used has high buffering capacity (high
carbonate/bicarbonate content generally with high pH,
i.e., > 8.0) along with a high calcium and/or magnesium
content, possibilities of precipitation in drips becomes
very high.
Diammonium Phosphate (DAP)
It is one of the most popular fertilisers as a source of
phosphorus and it is completely soluble in water. DAP
is a boon under situations of high alkalinity and indeed
many greenhouses face this problem.
Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (MAP)
It is also completely soluble in water and is a good
source of phosphorus along with some nitrogen for the

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 Notes plants. It provides nitrogen in ammonia forms that is
taken up by the plants readily.
Monobasic Potassium Phosphate
Also known as monopotassium phosphate, it provides
good quantity of phosphorus along with potassium.
Phosphoric Acid
It can be used in many formulations of nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium mixtures. But it cannot be
mixed with any fertiliser with high calcium. Being a good
source of phosphorus, it provides additional advantage
of keeping the pH of input injections low and helps in
avoiding precipitation.
Urea Phosphate
It is a good source of both phosphorus as well as nitrogen.
It provides nitrogen in the form of urea. It is basically
acidic in nature and highly suitable for acidifying water
and soil.
Potassium Sources
Most potassium fertilisers are water soluble, and
application of potassium through drip irrigation systems
has been very successful. The most common constraint
is that potassium injection leads to the formation of solid
precipitants in the supply tank when potassium is mixed
with other fertilisers. The potassium sources most often
used in drip irrigation systems are potassium chloride
(KCl) and potassium nitrate (KNO3). Potassium phosphates
are avoided for injection into drip irrigation systems.
Major sources of potassium sources along with their
uses in fertigation are given below.
Potassium Chloride
Potassium is supplemented by using potassium chloride
as it is highly soluble and inexpensive.
Potassium Nitrate
It is costly, but provides both nitrogen and potassium
simultaneously. Potassium nitrate is advisable to use
with irrigation water where salinity problems exist as it
has a low salt index.

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 Potassium Sulphate Notes
It can easily be used in place of potassium chloride
in high-saline areas and simultaneously presents a
source of sulphur, if that is required in fertility or soil
management programme.
Potassium Thio-sulphate (KTS)
Two grades of potassium thio-sulphate are available
and are neutral to basic, chloride-free, clear liquid
solution. It is blended with other fertilisers, but KTS
mixed should not be acidified below pH 6.0. The correct
order of mixing it is to first pour water, then pesticide (if
any), and then KTS and/or other fertiliser.
Table 4.2: Composition of major nutrients
in different fertilisers commonly
recommended for fertigation
S. No. Fertiliser N-P-K
1. Urea 46-0-0
2. Ammonium Nitrate 34-0-0
3. Ammonium Sulphate 21-0-0
4. Calcium Nitrate 16-0-0
5. Magnesium Nitrate 11-0-0
6. Urea Ammonium Nitrate 32-0-0
7. Potassium Nitrate 13-0-46
8. Mono-Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) 12-61-0
9. Potassium Chloride 0-0-60
10. Potassium Nitrate 13-0-46
11. Potassium Sulphate 0-0-50
12. Potassium Thiosulphate 0-0-25
13. Monobasic Potassium Phosphate (MKP) 0-52-0
14. Phosphoric Acid 0-52-0
15. NPK 19-19-19
20-20-20

Table 4.3: Solubility of Nitrogenous Fertilisers

S. No. Types of fertiliser Nitrogen Solubility
content (%) (gm/litre)
1. Ammonium Sulphate 21 750
2. Urea 46 1100

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 Notes 3. Ammonium Nitrate 34 1920
4. Calcium Nitrate 15.5 1290

Table 4.4: Solubility of Potassic Fertilisers

S. Fertiliser K content (%) Solubility
No. (gm/litre)
1. Potassium Sulphate 50 110
2. Potassium Chloride 60 340
3. Potassium Nitrate 44 133

Table 4.5: Solubility of Micronutrient Fertilisers

S. Fertilisers Content (%) Fertiliser Solubility
No. (gm/litre)
1. Solubor 20 B 220
2. Copper Sulphate 25 Cu 320
3. Iron Sulphate 20 Fe 160
4. Magnesium 10 710
Sulphate
5. Ammonium 54 430
Molybdate
6. Zinc Sulphate 36 965
7. Manganese 27 1050
Sulphate

Compatibility
Mixing the solutions of two or more water soluble
fertilisers can sometimes result in the formation of
a precipitate. Therefore, their solutions should be
prepared independently in two separate tanks.
Table 4.6: Combined nutrients
S.
Ammonium

Ammonium

Ammonium
Phosphate

Phosphate
Potassium

Potassium
Fertilisers

No.
Sulphate
Calcium
Nitrate

Nitrate

Nitrate
Mono

Mono
Urea

1. Urea C C C C C C
2. Ammonium C C C C C C
Nitrate
3. Ammonium C C LC C C LC
Sulphate

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 4. Calcium C C LC NC NC C
Nitrate
5. Mono C C C NC C C
Ammonium
Phosphate
6. Mono C C C NC C C
Phosphate
Phosphate
7. Potassium C C L C C C
Nitrate
C = Compatible, NC = Not Compatible, LC = Limited Compatible

Other Macronutrients
Sulphur (S), when needed, can also be provided as
ammonium thio-sulphate, ammonium sulphate or
flowable S. It is amenable to use with urea ammonium
nitrate and other soluble fertiliser grades for drip
fertigation. Magnesium sulphate is often used to supply
magnesium and sulphur.
Micronutrients
They can be applied readily through the drip system.
Sulphates of copper, iron, manganese and zinc are
highly water soluble, and move well through the drip
system. They are oxidised or precipitated readily in soil,
and hence their utilisation can be wasteful. Therefore,
it is advisable to use chelated fertilisers which improve
micronutrient utilisation efficiency. Chelate forms of
fertilisers are generally highly water-soluble and do not
choke drips by precipitation.

Fertigation Equipment
Different types of fertiliser
application systems through
drip irrigation are commercially
available. They are venturi,
fertiliser tank and piston
pump. Selection of a particular
fertigation system depends on
the area, flow, investing capacity
and precision needed. Generally,
small cultivators (up to 1008 Fig. 4.8: Fertigation unit

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 sq m) use venturi due to lower cost, the mid size
cultivators (from 1008–4000 sq m) use fertiliser
tanks or piston pumps and the big cultivators
(more than 5 acre) go for electrical or automation
as the initial investment is very high. Further,
manual mistakes can be avoided in electrical or
automation, besides providing ease of operation. In
general, nutrient management is essential during
each irrigation.

Calculation of Crop Water Requirement (CWR)

Water is the most critical input under drip irrigation
system. Knowledge about calculation of water
requirement during crop growth period helps to
increase water use efficiency both under open field and
protected condition.
Important terminology related to drip irrigation
system is as follows.

Pan Evaporation
It is evaporation of water from open surface and
is recorded at meteorological station on a daily
basis and expressed in mm/day. Under protected
cultivation, open field pan evaporation is multiplied
by a conversion factor of 0.45 to know the actual
evaporation inside protected structures.

Pan Factor
It is the factor (0.8) taken to compensate the actual
measurement of pan evaporimeter.

Evapotranspiration (ET)
It is water loss through transpiration from plants
Fig. 4.9: Pan evaporation
canopy and evaporation from soil surface. It is
expressed in mm/day.

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 Crop Factor Notes
It is the ratio between the actual and potential
evapo-transpiration. It varies as per the crop
growth stages.
Crop water requirement for open field and protected
cultivation can be calculated by using the following
formula. Here ET is in mm/day.
Crop water requirement (m3/day/ha) = ET * 10 * 0.5
for open field cultivation Crop
Water requirement (m3/day/1000 m2) = ET * 1 * 0.5
for protected cultivation
Where, ET (mm/day) = Pan evaporation * Kc (where
Kc = crop coefficient)
AVSM (Available soil moisture) or MAD (Management
allowable deficit) = 50%=0.5

Calculation of Fertiliser Solution

Concentration
The concentration of fertiliser solutions is usually
expressed in parts-per million (ppm) of nitrogen. To
determine how much fertiliser material is required
to produce a solution of a desired concentration, the
following formula is used.
Quantity of fertiliser required (grams)

For example, to make a 100 ppm solution of 20-10-

20 fertiliser in a 500 litre tank, the amount of fertiliser
required is

Quantity of fertiliser required (grams) =

(100 × 500)
(10 × 20)
Therefore, the quantity of fertiliser required is
250 grams.

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Chapter -4.indd 62
Table 4.7: Fertigation scheduling in flowers under protected cultivation

62
Crop Spacing Plants Fertigation Dose Total Yield
schedule
Plant Row No./ N P K N P K Stems
to to 1000m2 (No)
plant row Kg/ Kg/ Kg/
(m) (m) 1000m2 1000m2 1000m2
Rose 0.2 0.4 12000 Vegetative Stage: 80 50 60 28 17 25 270000
September–October
Flowering and 100 60 80
harvesting flush:
November–March
Flowering and 80 50 80
harvesting normal:
April–August
Gerbera 0.2 0.3 16000 Vegetative Stage: 70 50 60 17 12 17 650000
September–October
Flowering and 80 60 80
harvesting flush:
November–April
Maintenance dose: 40 24 40
May–August
Chrysanthemum 0.1 0.15 65000 Vegetative Stage: 80 50 60 21 13 19 90000
September–October
Flowering and 90 60 80
harvesting flush:
November–April
Maintenance Dose: 50 30 50
May–August
Lilium 0.15 0.2 32000 Vegetative Stage: 60 36 60 17 11 17 130000
September–October
Flowering and 80 50 80
harvesting flush:
November–March
Maintenance Dose: 50 30 50
April–August

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Chapter -4.indd 63
Carnation 0.15 0.2 32000 Vegetative Stage: 50 30 40 14 08 13 300000
September–October
Flowering and 60 40 60

Irrigation
harvesting flush:

and
November–March
Maintenance Dose: 40 20 40
April–August

Source: Hasan et al (2010). Fertigation Scheduling for Horticultural Crops. Tech Bull. TB-ICN: 80/2010, I.A.R.I., New Delhi. p. 44

Fertigation
in
Table 4.8: Month-wise fertigation scheduling in flowers under protected cultivation (1000m2)
Crops Particulars Month-wise application of water soluble fertilisers (kg/1000m2) and Irrigation (No)
Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total
Rose

Greenhouses
Irrigation 4 6 7 8 8 8 6 6 8 8 6 4 79
Urea 1.5 2.1 3.7 4.5 5.1 5.3 3.4 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.7 1.7 38.8
phosphate
Urea 1.9 2.6 4.5 5.2 6.0 6.2 4.0 3.3 3.4 3.4 3.2 2.1 45.8
Sulphate of 1.8 2.5 4.3 6.4 7.2 7.5 4.8 4.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 2.0 49.8
potash (SOP)
Gerbera
Irrigation 4 6 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 4 79
Urea 1.5 2.1 3.2 4.6 2.1 2.1 1.4 1.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 1.7 27.6
phosphate
Urea 1.4 1.9 2.9 4.2 2.5 2.6 1.7 1.5 2.4 2.5 2.4 1.5 27.5
SOP 1.8 2.5 3.7 5.4 3.0 3.1 2.0 1.7 2.6 2.7 3.1 2.0 33.8
Chrysanthemum
Irrigation 4 6 8 8 8 8 6 6 8 8 6 4 80
Urea 1. 2.1 3.7 4.6 2.6 2.7 1.7 1.5 2.5 2.9 3.0 1.9 30.7
phosphate
Urea 1.6 2.2 3.9 4.9 3.1 3.3 2.1 1.8 2.9 3.4 3.2 2.0 34.5
SOP 1.8 2.5 4.3 5.4 3.8 3.9 2.5 2.2 2.6 3.1 3.5 2.2 37.8

63
Source: Hasan et al (2010). Fertigation Scheduling for Horticultural Crops. Tech Bull. TB-ICN: 80/2010, I.A.R.I., New Delhi, p. 44

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Chapter -4.indd 64
64
Notes

Table 4.9: Month-wise fertigation scheduling in flowers under protected cultivation (1000m2)

Crops Particulars Month-wise application of water soluble fertilisers (kg/1000m2) and Irrigation (No)
Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total
Lilium
Irrigation 4 6 8 6 8 8 6 6 6 8 6 4 76
Urea 1.3 1.7 2.7 2.3 2.6 2.7 1.7 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.2 1.4 24.0
phosphate
Urea 1.5 1.7 2.7 2.3 2.6 2.7 1.7 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.2 1.4 24.0
SOP 1.8 2.5 3.7 3.4 3.8 3.9 2.5 2.2 2.6 3.1 3.1 2.0 34.6
Carnation
Irrigation 4 6 8 6 8 8 6 6 6 8 6 4 76
Urea 1.0 1.4 2.1 1.5 1.7 1.8 1.1 1.0 1.5 1.8 1.8 1.1 17.9
phosphate
Urea 1.1 1.5 2.3 2.4 2.6 2.7 1.8 1.5 1.8 2.2 1.9 1.2 23.0
SOP 1.3 1.8 2.8 2.7 3.0 3.1 2.0 1.7 1.8 2.1 2.3 1.5 26.3

Source: Hasan et al (2010). Fertigation Scheduling for Horticultural Crops. Tech Bull. TB-ICN: 80/2010, I.A.R.I., New Delhi, p. 44

Floriculturist (Protected Cultivation) – Class XI

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 Notes

Activity 1: Visit a greenhouse and observe the operation of

irrigation and fertigation system
Material required: notebook, pen, etc.
Procedure
• Visit a nearby greenhouse.
• Note down the components of irrigation/fertigation system.
• Note down the sequences of different types of drippers.
• Apply irrigation and fertiliser and observe the process.
• Observe difficulties faced during the operation.
• Discuss with the owner/farmers.

Activity 2: Identification of common fertilisers

Material required: notebook, pen, fertilisers and practical file.
Procedure
• Visit a nearby greenhouse/market.
• Identify fertilisers on the basis of appearance.
• Note down the content of each fertiliser.
• Note down the commonly used water soluble fertiliser.
• Discuss with the owner/farmers.

Check Your Progress

A. Fill in the blanks

1. Application of soluble fertilisers through their irrigation
systems is known as _________.
2. The most fertigated element in greenhouses due to high
plant nutritional needs is ______________.
3. A liquid fertiliser widely used as a source of nitrogen in
greenhouses is _______________.
4. Diammonium phosphate (DAP) is one of the major
sources of ___________.

B. Mark the correct answers

1. Which of the following fertilisers may choke the drip due
to precipitation, if water is in high carbonate?
(a) Calcium Nitrate
(b) Ammonium Sulphate
(c) Ammonium Nitrate
(d) Ammonium Thio Suphate

Irrigation and Fertigation in Greenhouses

65

Chapter -4.indd 65 13-08-2018 14:16:38

 Notes 2. Urea sulfuric acid is an ______________ fertiliser.
(a) alkaline
(b) acidic
(b) saline
(d) neutral
3. To avoiding clogging of drippers _________ pH is helpful.
(c) higher
(b) very high
(c) medium
(d) lower
4. Water loss through transpiration from plants canopy
and evaporation from soil surface is called __________.
(a) transpiration
(b) evaporation
(c) evapo-transpiration
(d) respiration

C. Descriptive questions
1. Describe major nitrogen sources and their use in
fertigation.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Write in brief
(a) Micronutrients
(b) Fertigation equipment
(c) Crop water requirement
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

D. Match the columns

A B
1. Source of N and P (a) Ammonium Thio Sulphate
2. Good source of (b) Calcium Ammonium Nitrate
Calcium
3. Lower pH (c) Potassium Nitrate
4. Supplies K (d) Urea Phosphate

Floriculturist (Protected Cultivation) – Class XI

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