Ace the 2025 FFA Agronomy CDE Challenge – Sow Seeds of Success!

The application of fertilizers, herbicides, and/or insecticides through an irrigation system is referred to as chemigation. This technique integrates the benefits of irrigation with chemical application, allowing for more efficient use of resources and targeted delivery of nutrients or pest control substances directly to the plant roots. It enhances the effectiveness of fertilizers and pesticides while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Chemigation can improve crop yield and health by ensuring that plants receive essential nutrients and protection against pests in a timely manner. The method is particularly advantageous because it facilitates even distribution and can reduce labor costs associated with traditional spraying or manual application methods.

Other methods mentioned, such as foliar feeding, involve applying nutrients directly to the leaves of plants and are not associated with an irrigation system. Drip irrigation is a type of irrigation method that provides water directly to the root zone of plants but does not imply the simultaneous application of chemicals. Spray application generally refers to the use of a spray nozzle to apply solutions directly to crops, which does not involve integration with an irrigation system.