A team of researchers from the University of Almería (UAL) is conducting a research project titled “Optimization of Fertigation in Hydroponic Crops with a Mix of Desalinated and Conventional Water, and Controlled Reuse of Water and Nutrients,” funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation. This project focuses on analyzing the influence of irrigation water quality on substrate-based crops with and without recirculation through an experimental trial with six different irrigation treatments.
The trial is conducted in a greenhouse at the UAL Experimental Farm. For the successful development of the project, precise control of water and fertilizer application to each treatment is crucial, along with the ability to easily modify irrigation variables remotely. It is essential that the volume of water and fertilizers be applied accurately and without interference between treatments. Additionally, it is necessary to disinfect the recovered drainage water before reintroducing it into the irrigation system for the recirculation treatments, using precise dosing of chlorine dioxide for this purpose.
To meet these requirements, the research team has opted for an irrigation system based on advanced ITC dosing pumps, controlled by the Water Controller 3000. The setup includes:
- Water Controller 3000: This advanced controller allows for precise and automated management of fertigation, ensuring accurate dosing of nutrients and water according to the specific needs of each treatment.
- Dosmart AC and Dostec 40 Dosing Pumps: These pumps enable exact dosing of fertilizers and disinfectants, ensuring no interference between treatments and guaranteeing the disinfection of recovered drainage water using chlorine dioxide.
Over a year since the complete installation of the system, the results have been very satisfactory. Notable advantages include:
- Simplicity of the System: The use of dosing pumps is simpler in installations with numerous different irrigation treatments compared to other injection systems, such as Venturi injectors or magnetic drive pumps with pressure compensation columns.
- Precision in Fertilizer Injection: Injection control is much more precise, especially in small-scale irrigation sectors.
- Automatic and Remote Regulation: System regulation is faster and simpler, and can be performed automatically and remotely.
- Versatile Operating Modes: The system offers several operating modes. In particular, the flow-proportional mode, which is not available in other systems, improves upon the set-point based on EC. The accuracy of flow sensors is higher than that of EC sensors, which can be affected by factors such as sensor position, reaction time, calibration, and water flow speed.
- Functional and Intuitive Remote Control: The system allows remote access to the controller from anywhere with an internet connection, using multiple devices.
The integration of the ITC irrigation system has proven to be a highly efficient and precise solution for fertigation in hydroponic crops. The ability to control and modify irrigation variables remotely, coupled with the precision in the application of water and fertilizers, has allowed the researchers at UAL to optimize their experimental trials, significantly enhancing efficiency and productivity in agricultural research. This success story highlights how advanced technology can transform modern agriculture, offering sustainable and effective solutions for complex challenges.
