Hortipray® anticalc: continuous and uniform irrigation
When hard-water is used for fertigation, it easily can result in unequal irrigation. Forming of deposits will introduce scaling of the irrigation lines and clogging of drippers.
Anticalc against hard water deposits
Hard water contains in general high calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) content, in combination with higher pH levels.
Fertigation to plants includes nutrients to be added to the irrigation water via fertilisers like MAP (monoammonium phosphate NH4H2PO4), MKP (monopotassium phosphate KH2PO4), Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4), Potassium Sulphate (K2SO4), Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)…
Calcium and magnesium in the irrigation water, combined with phosphates and/or sulphates from the different fertilisers can form insoluble sediments.
Possible reactions which cause clogging of the system:
- Calcium and phosphate can form insoluble calcium phosphates (CaHPO4)
- Calcium and bicarbonates can form calcium carbonates (CaCO3)
- Magnesium and phosphate can form insoluble magnesium phosphates (MgHPO4)
- Iron and phosphate can form insoluble iron phosphates (FePO4)
- Calcium and sulphates form insoluble calcium sulphate (CaSO4)
For these reasons we also use 2 concentrated fertiliser tanks (A/B): one for calcium (and magnesium nitrate) fertilisers and one for phosphate and sulphate fertilisers. Of course the forming of the deposits depends also on pH and total concentration of elements.
Higher risk for clogging when irrigation water:
- pH above 7,5
- Calcium content > 60 ppm (equals 1,5 mmol/L or 3,0 meq/L)
- Magnesium content > 30 ppm (equals 1,2 mmol/L or 2,4 meq/L)
- Bicarbonate content > 150 ppm (equals 2,5 mmol/L or 2,5 meq/L)
It is recommended to make each year a new water analysis of the irrigation water source.
A uniform irrigation is important for a uniform crop development. A correct irrigation avoids weak plants which can introduce (root) diseases. To solve problems of unequal irrigation as a result of clogging, growers generally decide to over-irrigate (increase the water so each plant gets a minimum). More runoff is resulting in spillage of water and fertiliser. Hortipray® anticalc prevents clogging and scaling in the irrigation system, as such preventing losses of water and nutrients.
Hortipray® anticalc: simple to use
Just replace the standard Hortipray® phosphate fertilisers with its Hortipray® anticalc version. Both standard Hortipray® MAP and Hortipray® MKP fertilisers as anticalc versions contain the same amount of nutrients. No add-ons or changes in the recipe!
Hortipray® anticalc: safe to use
It is safe for plants, installations and environment.
| N | P | K | Solubility in g/L at 20°C |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAP | 12% as N-NH4 | 61% as P2O5 | 365 | |
| MAP anticalc | 12% as N-NH4 | 61% as P2O5 | 384 | |
| MKP | 52% as P2O5 | 34% as K2O | 225 | |
| MKP anticalc | 52% as P2O5 | 34% as K2O | 230 |
Packaging
25 kg: Polyethylene bag
Quality certifications
ISO: 9001: 2008
OHSAS 18001: 2007
ISO: 14001: 2004