Fertigation with sprinklers: Food and water security on the Ukrainian steppe

Facing climate change, soil degradation and sabotage of one third of the country's freshwater resources (due to the war and destruction of the Kakhovka reservoir), the prospects of fertigation on black soils in the south of Ukraine using sprinkler irrigators were examined.By compiling daily soil hydrographs, it is possible to track changing water availability and control the soil water regime to ensure irrigation efficiency, preserve soil condition, and boost yields.Fertigation enables a more uniform distribution of fertilisers across the field compared to conventional broadcasting, and supplies nutrients during critical stages of crop growth when the size of the crop excludes wheeled vehicles.Comprehensive management of soil water and nutrient supply throughout the growing season yielded 16-17 t/ha of grain corn; the water-use coefficient was 344 m 3 /t; total water consumption reached 5670 m/ha, of which 2900 m/ha was irrigation.