What is soil Drenching?
Soil drenching is a method of application of chemicals in soil. These chemicals can be fertilizers or pesticides. It is a cultural practice or a mechanical process.
| Contents |
|---|
| (1). Benefits |
| (2). Who can do it? |
| (3). When to do it? |
| (4). How to do it? |
| (5). Which crop requires drenching? |
| (6). Materials and methods |
| (7). Frequently asked questions |
(1). Benefits of soil drenching
- Direct contact: Fertilizers and pesticides make a direct contact with plant roots. It is the on site way treatment.
- Efficient use of chemicals: Direct contact means efficient use of chemicals because, due to the site application, we can apply it more efficiently. Loss of chemical is minimum.
- Fast effect: Effect of the chemical is very quick on plants.
- Easy to perform: Anyone can perform it. It is very easy to perform.
- Low amount of chemicals.
- Environment friendly: There is no foliar spray, hence it is more environment friendly.
Also read: 5 Ways to Increase Soil Fertility
(2). Who can do it?
Anyone can do it. No technology knowledge is necessary. Younger child shouldn’t perform it. It may cause severe problem to them.
(3). When to do it?
Do it when plant starts to show the early symptom of wilting. Wilting may be result of fungal or bacterial attack.
(4).How to do it?
You have to penetrate soil vertically up to the root zone to perform it.
(5). Which crop requires drenching?
Generally, vegetable crops require it. The symptom of wilting is very common in vegetable crops like tomato, brinjal, and chilli. Although you can perform it in any crop for the better crop management.
Also read: Which is the most fertile soil?
(6). Materials and methods
6.1: Materials
- Iron bar.
- Spade.
- Hard and flexible siphons.
- Water bucket.
- Fungicide or fertilizer.
6.2: Methods of soil drenching
6.2.1: Using liquid formulations
- Spot the plant for disease.
- Clear the base around the plant by using spade.
- Prepare your chemical solution in a water bucket by using water and fungicide.
- Penetrate the soil around the plant stem up to the location of roots.
- Connect one end of flexible siphon to water surface, and another to the opening of hole on soil surface.
- Let the solution flow.
6.2.2: Using dust formulations
- Spot the plant for disease.
- Clear the base around the plant by using spade.
- Penetrate the soil around the plant stem up to the location of roots.
- Set the hard siphon in hole.
- Apply the dust formulations through the siphon.
- Although you can do it with the use of siphon.
6.2.3: Using granular formulations
- Spot the plant for disease.
- Clear the base around the plant by using spade.
- Penetrate the soil around the plant stem up to the location of roots.
- Drop granules into the holes.
Also read: Soil Science MCQ: Multiple Choice Questions
(7). Frequently asked questions
Question 01. What are the other methods of application of fertilizers and pesticides?
Answer:
The other methods of application of fertilizers and pesticides are as follows:
Flower spray: It is the method of application of liquid formulation. Various equipment are available for foliar spray. Examples: Power sprayer, foot sprayer, knapsack sprayer, etc.
Fertigation: In fertigation, fertilizers are mixed with irrigation water in drip irrigation system.
Dusting: It is the method of application of the dust formulations of pesticides.Various equipment are available for dusting. Examples: Power duster, hand duster, etc.
Site application: It uses all combinations depending on the present situations.
Question 02. For which fertilizer is it necessary?
Answer: It is an ideal method for phosphorus, because the root zone application of phosphorus is very important and necessary.