The use of drip irrigation with “Drip Protection”

In recent years, climate change has forced rural producers to resort to irrigation systems to guarantee their production. Among the irrigation methods used, drip irrigation has stood out as an effective and high-tech method. 

Due to its characteristics, drip irrigation is used not only as a water supplier for crops, but also as an efficient method of applying fertilizers (nutrirrigation). However, with the need to reduce crop production costs, without causing damage to the environment, many producers who have dripping in their crops have started to adopt the “Drip Protection” technology.

“Drip Protection” is a technology developed by Netafim, in which it is possible to apply chemical, organic molecules and biological products through the injection equipment of the drip irrigation system.  

In this sense, several field works and scientific experiments have been and continue to be carried out with the aim of adding other drip irrigation systems to sugarcane. The information accumulated in different locations in recent years shows that there is already a vast use of this application, many of which were validated in experimental projects monitored by Netafim in conjunction with companies developing pesticides and others based on simple tests evaluated in the field. 

For example, work carried out in four production units in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais showed that the use of the active ingredient Tiamethoxan via a drip irrigation system is efficient for controlling root leafhoppers (Mahanarva fimbriolata), obtaining a level of control equal to ground spraying.

For another important soil pest, such as Sphenohorus levis, the injection of Etiprole and Thiamethoxan + Lambda Cialotrin using a drip system reduced the population of this pest from 6,0% to 2,0% of the production fields of another plant located in São Paulo.

 In the northeast region of the country, several works were carried out to combat pests, mainly in the case of the giant borer (telchin licus), considered the main one in the region.

In scientific work and with field validation, close to 90% control of this pest was observed with the application of Rynaxapyr, via a drip irrigation system.

However, controlling the main pests is not just a success factor for chemical products, the use of biological products has also demonstrated excellent results when applied via drip. 

In work carried out by an agronomic consultancy company in partnership with Netafim, in the northeast region, the use of beauveria bassiana for controlling the giant borer demonstrated control efficiency above 80%, when applied via drip.

With so many positive results spread across the most diverse regions of sugarcane production in Brazil, we can conclude that the use of “Drip Protection” technology is an excellent tool to protect the crop from the main pests in a practical, efficient and environmentally friendly way. environment.

Figure 02. Area attacked by the giant borer (T. lichus) (right) and area with Drip Protection (left)

Figure 3. Aerial photo of area with infestation of Sphenophorus levis (left) and photo of the same area after using Drip Protection (right)