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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Agricultural Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #198212
Title: Chapter 28: Chemigation and PAM – delivering chemicals to crops and soils using irrigation

Author
item VAN DER GULIK, TED - BC MINISTRY OF AGRIC
item Evans, Robert

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/6/2005
Publication Date: 10/21/2011
Citation: Van Der Gulik, T.W., Evans, R.G. 2011. Chapter 28: Chemigation and PAM – delivering chemicals to crops and soils using irrigation. L. Stetson, editor. Irrigation. 6th Edition. Falls Church, VA. The Irrigation Association. p. 987-1014.

Interpretive Summary: Chemicals are injected into irrigation systems in order to prevent microbial growth in drip emitters, fertilize crops, reduce pests, apply soil amendments, and for several other reasons. Advantages of chemigation include reduced traffic, reduced dosing of fertilizers and pesticides, reduced operator exposure, reduced soil compaction, reduced wind drift of agricultural chemicals and generally reduced cost. However, improper management of chemigation may increase the possibility of chemical leaching to ground water. A wide variety of equipment is available for this use. Ensuring personal and ecological safety are concerns when using chemigation.

Technical Abstract: Chemicals are injected into irrigation systems in order to prevent microbial growth in drip emitters, fertilize crops, reduce pests, apply soil amendments, and for several other reasons. Advantages of chemigation include reduced traffic, reduced dosing of fertilizers and pesticides, reduced operator exposure, reduced soil compaction, reduced wind drift of agricultural chemicals and generally reduced cost. However, improper management of chemigation may increase the possibility of chemical leaching to ground water. A wide variety of equipment is available for this use. Ensuring personal and ecological safety are concerns when using chemigation.