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Uniform fertilization method based on differential pressure tank with optimal fertilizer concentration and constant fertigation flux

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Abstract

Nonuniformity in fertilization causes water and soil pollution, thus negatively affecting the yield and quality of crops. Differential pressure tanks are widely used in China. However, such tanks hardly overcome nonuniformity in fertilization. In this study, a flux control method is derived for uniform fertilization on the basis of differential pressure tank with optimal (constant) fertilizer concentration and constant fertigation flux. The fertilizer continuity equation is applied for the flux control method by a uniform distribution assumption of fertilizer concentration in the tank. In accordance with four free parameters, the flux control method is used to divide the constant fertigation flux into two time-dependent fluxes; one flux flows into the tank to remove fertilizers uniformly, and another flux directly flows through the main pipe to mix with outlet fertilizers for an optimal fertilizer concentration in the fertigation system. On the basis of the flux control method, a grade control methodology is further proposed for the convenient and easy division of fertigation flux. In addition, a numerical model for mixed water and fertilizer flow is proposed to verify whether the flux control method is feasible for uniform fertilization. The flux control method is meaningful for improving the management and efficiency for water–fertilizer use in China.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate the Editor’s and Reviewers’ constructive comments earnestly. The project is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51836010 and 41961144014), National Key Research and Development Program of China (Project No. 2017YFD0201502) and Chinese Universities Scientific Fund (Grant No. 2019TC133).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Engineering Research Center of Safety and Energy Saving Technology for Water Supply Network System, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China

    Xinyu Hu & Xin Chen

  2. Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China

    Xin Chen

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  1. Xinyu Hu
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  2. Xin Chen
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Correspondence to Xin Chen.

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We have no conflicts of interest in this work. We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the position presented in, or the review of, the manuscript entitled “Uniform fertilization method based on differential pressure tank with optimal fertilizer concentration and constant fertigation flux”.

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Hu, X., Chen, X. Uniform fertilization method based on differential pressure tank with optimal fertilizer concentration and constant fertigation flux. Irrig Sci 39, 347–362 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-020-00712-0

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