Potato fertigation using a drip irrigation system

Carl Boivin

Researcher

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Description

A project conducted in 2015 and 2016 by IRDA’s water management team, Ferme Victorin Drolet, and the DRCN at MAPAQ concluded that drip irrigation in potato fields could save significant amounts of water compared to overhead irrigation. This is of interest from an environmental point of view, especially for farms with limited water reserves.

The aim of the subsequent project was to leverage the efficiency of drip irrigation and splitting nitrogen inputs into multiple applications to reduce total nitrogen inputs per unit produced and provide better economic and environmental alternatives to conventional irrigation.

Objective(s)

Compare conventional fertilization to a program combining drip irrigation with fertigation
Measure how much split applications (fertigation) can reduce total nitrogen inputs
Acquire new technical knowledge on using drip irrigation in potato fields
Make nitrogen use more efficient (quantity per unit produced) and reduce the risk of pollution

From 2017 to 2018

Project duration

Market gardening

Activity areas

Optimal water management

Service

Potato crop drip irrigation can help the environment by significantly cutting water use.

Partners

Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec | Centre de recherche sur les grains | Ferme Victorin Drolet | Ferme Dauphine