measurement methods of soil, water, plant and fruit, in berry ... - NJF
measurement methods of soil, water, plant and fruit, in berry ... - NJF
measurement methods of soil, water, plant and fruit, in berry ... - NJF
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MONITOR AND EVALUATE FERTIGATION WITH<br />
“FERTIREG” IN FRUIT AND BERRY EXPERIMENTS<br />
Lis Sørensen<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Horticulture<br />
Danish Institute <strong>of</strong> Agricultural Sciences<br />
DK-5792 Aarslev, Denmark<br />
Lis.Sorensen@agrsci.dk<br />
Introduction<br />
Fertigation <strong>in</strong> <strong>fruit</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>berry</strong> experiments needs to be monitored <strong>and</strong> evaluated repeatedly to<br />
control that the planned strategy is achieved. An Excel spreadsheet, “FertiReg” (Fertigation<br />
Registration), was therefore developed to improve monitor<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> evaluation <strong>of</strong> fertigation <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>fruit</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>berry</strong> experiments.<br />
Facilities <strong>in</strong> FertiReg<br />
FertiReg is developed for fertigation with Dosatrons. The program <strong>in</strong>cludes sheets that allow<br />
calculations <strong>of</strong> various fertigation factors. Nutrient concentration <strong>in</strong> the stock solution can be<br />
calculated as well as the sett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> Dosatrons <strong>and</strong> irrigation time. This is based on expected<br />
number <strong>of</strong> days with irrigation comb<strong>in</strong>ed with <strong>water</strong> <strong>and</strong> nutrient dem<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> the <strong>plant</strong>. Only<br />
<strong>water</strong> gauge read<strong>in</strong>gs are entered <strong>in</strong>to FertiReg dur<strong>in</strong>g the fertigation period. All other<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation can be entered prior to the grow<strong>in</strong>g season. Tables <strong>and</strong> graphs <strong>of</strong> <strong>water</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
nutrient supply on weekly <strong>and</strong> monthly basis are automatically generated (figure 1). A direct<br />
comparison between the planned <strong>and</strong> achieved fertigation strategy is presented. When<br />
experimental lots are to receive equal amounts <strong>of</strong> <strong>water</strong>, deviations from this can be<br />
monitored on a weekly basis. Tables with <strong>water</strong> <strong>and</strong> nutrient supply can be used when<br />
report<strong>in</strong>g experimental conditions after completion <strong>of</strong> the experiment.<br />
Results <strong>and</strong> conclusion<br />
The first season us<strong>in</strong>g FertiReg was 2001. Improved control <strong>of</strong> the fertigation was achieved<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g the grow<strong>in</strong>g season. Time was saved as nutrient <strong>and</strong> <strong>water</strong> supply was already<br />
computed for use <strong>in</strong> e.g. lectures or reports. More facilities, e.g. <strong>soil</strong> <strong>water</strong> content, may be<br />
<strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> the future. FertiReg can also be used <strong>in</strong> commercial <strong>fruit</strong> production <strong>and</strong> has been<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduced to Danish growers.<br />
Supplied kg N/ha<br />
20.0<br />
18.0<br />
16.0<br />
14.0<br />
12.0<br />
10.0<br />
8.0<br />
6.0<br />
4.0<br />
2.0<br />
0.0<br />
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45<br />
Week<br />
StrategyA<br />
StrategyB
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