In order to avoid damages and ensure the safety of the operators the following rules should be followed. In case of doubt, feel free to consult with Gat fertilizers’ personnel.
Before applying the fertilizer, the grower should check the proper operation of the application equipment, and insure that the fertilizer’s characteristics are compatible with that of the equipment in order to avoid corrosion.
Check all the connections of the injection assembly, starting at the fertilizer container, and all the components up to the injection point, including all nozzles and accessories. Repair any leaks and replace worn tubing in order to avoid spilling fertilizer and polluting the environment.
A filter must be attached at the outlet from the tank or container. This filter should be checked and cleaned before each fertigation.
A check-valve must be installed up-stream from the injection point, and its performance must be checked frequently.
Irrigation should always continue some time after the required volume of fertilizer solution has been injected – as to flush- out any remaining fertilizer from the irrigation system.
When spraying or injecting a fertilizer solution – the sprayer’s tank, pump and nozzles must be flushed and cleaned with clean water whenever work is interrupted for more than one hour and always at the end of the day’s work.
Proper use of fertilizer solutions
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- Proper use of fertilizer solutions
Recommendations
Storage safety measures
Liquid fertilizers should be stored in appropriate containers, made of resistant materials.
The containers should be placed on a large enough retainer so that, in case of spillage the fertilizer solution may be recovered without polluting the environment.
All covers should remain closed, in order to avoid evaporation losses and debris entering the container.
The container must stand on a strong, smooth surface, able to support the full weight of the fertilizer without cracking, deforming or subsiding.
Whenever fertilizer remains in the container without use, the valve at the outlet must remain closed till the next application.
Fertilizer solutions prepared at a higher concentration for the warm summer months must be diluted with 20% water by volume (1:1.5 ratio) in order to avoid their christallisation during the colder season.
If freezing temperatures are expected alll tubing should be disconnected from the fertilizer container, and the whole injection appliance (pump included) must be flushed with clean water.
While filling the containers:
Whenever the operator handles liquid fertilizers he must be fully dressed and wear goggles and gloves.
Clean water must be available, and in case the fertilizer spills on clothing or skin, they should be washed promptly.
If liquid fertilizer contacts the eyes, they should be flushed with clean, flowing water, and a doctor should be consulted.
Before filling the container, it should be clean. Any residues from a former fertilizer should be flushed out. It is highly recommended to flush the container with clean water before each refilling.
Different fertilizer formulations, however small the quantities involved, should never be mixed. Any damage incurred due to the mixing of fertilizers is the responsibility of the grower only.
Preventive measures the user must undertake
A sign must be prominently displayed with the text “Concentrated fertilizer solution – not for drinking”.
The container must carry a sign with the name and nutrient concentration of the fertilizer.
The plot where fertigation is carried out must carry signs with the text “This water is not potable – Drinking prohibited”.
Fertigation is not to be carried out on any source of potable water (such as private or public gardens). Only with a a special permit by the authorities and after the installation of special non-return valves that must be checked yearly, may fertigation equipment be installed down-stream from that check-valve.
