Field Experience 4 February 2025 • 6 min read

Why Buffered Chelates Matter in Calcareous Drip Lines

Above pH 7.5, phosphorus and zinc precipitate at the emitter. Here’s how we kept the system clean while improving nutrient uptake.

Challenges in Calcareous Soils

When the solution rises above pH 7.5, both phosphorus and zinc precipitate right at the emitter. The crop receives less nutrition and the drip line clogs, so you battle two issues at once.

Why Chelated Forms Matter

Buffered chelates allow us to keep the mix tank near pH 6.2–6.5 so nutrients travel through the line without being fixed. The system stays clean and the emitters last longer.

Application Tips

Check pH before injecting fertilizers and correct with a mild acid if needed. Finish each fertigation pass with 10–15 minutes of clean water to push residues out and maintain the drip line.

Drip Irrigation Chelated Formula