Precision Fertigation for Avocado Farmers
This comprehensive course teaches farmers and agripreneurs how to scientifically grow avocados using modern Israeli fertigation techniques. It starts from selecting the right plot and understanding soil and water requirements, then moves into nutrient management, soil and leaf testing, and precise fertigation practices. Learners will gain step-by-step knowledge on setting up and maintaining a fertigation system, preparing fertilizer schedules, and optimizing inputs for maximum yield and quality.
Indo-Israel Avocado
Fertigation Course OUTLINE
Module 1:
Choosing the Right Plot for Avocado farming
This foundational module focuses on the critical first step in avocado cultivation: selecting a suitable plot. It covers the essential soil and water characteristics that determine the success of an orchard and provides guidance on conducting an initial site assessment.
Soil characteristics
We cover topics like Soil texture, water drainage and soil chemistry.
Water characteristics
We also cover water requirements and quality of the irrigated water.
Soil survey
This module provides a practical guide for farmers on how to assess a potential
plot before planting. It also gives step by step instructions on how to take
soil samples for interpreting a pre planting soil report.
Learning outcomes: You will be able to make an informed decision about the plot's suitability for avocado farming.
Module 2:
Avocado Nutrient Requirements and Deficiency Symptoms
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the essential nutrients avocados need to thrive, and how to visually identify signs of nutritional distress. We cover the Macro, Secondary and important Micro nutrients.
Macro Nutrients
We cover why Nitrogen is required for vegetative growth, Phosphorus for
root growth & flowering and Potassium for fruit size and quality and the
consequences of both deficiency and excess will be explained. Both in the
lecture and the notes we have shared pictures to help you identify the causes
of irregular physiological symptoms.
Secondary Nutrients
Calcium, Magnesium and Sulphur, while required in moderate amounts, are
still important to include in your fertigation plan in case your soil tests
show deficiencies. We explain why these nutrients are important and how to
identify excess or deficiencies through leaf reading.
The Micronutrients
This lesson focuses on the micronutrients, which are needed in small
amounts but are equally critical for tree health and yield. We primarily cover
Boron, Zinc, Iron, Manganese & Copper.
Nutrient Mobility
We also cover the concept of mobile vs. immobile nutrients and how this
determines whether symptoms appear on old or young leaves.
Learning outcomes: Leaf reading and understanding the cause of excess or deficient nutrients in your avocado orchard. We understand the limitations of visual diagnosis; therefore, we have touched on the topic of leaf test analysis in this module as well.
Module 3:
How to implement soil and leaf tests for avocado farming
In this module we will move beyond guesswork and move toward
precision fertigation. You will learn to implement and interpret soil and leaf
tests.
Soil Tests & Analysis
We will learn how to take soil samples and interpret soil tests. Please
note: this is slightly different from the initial soil survey we covered in
Module 1. We cover why it is important to test your soil texture, soil salinity
and soil fertility.
Leaf Tests & Analysis
We will also learn how to take leaf samples and interpret leaf tissue test
results. We also glance over the cutting-edge technology of leaf sap analysis
and how to read them.
Periodic Testing
How periodic testing helps track changes in soil pH, salinity (EC), and
organic matter over time. The examples shared will help you understand why data driven decisions can lead to a more sustainable way of producing avocados.
Learning Outcomes: How to do soil and leaf tests and how to interpret them. Why periodic testing is mandatory.
Module 4:
Introduction to Fertigation and its advantages
This module introduces the concept of fertigation, explaining how it works, its benefits over traditional methods, and how to select the right fertilisers that do not clog the irrigation system.
Advantages over traditional fertilisation
We discuss why fertigation is far superior to traditional broadcasting and foliar sprays. We demonstrate how fertigation allows -
- For a more precise delivery of nutrients to the avocado plants.
- Timing control to match the requirements of the avocado plants.
- Can lead to cost savings since it is less labour intensive.
- Can lead to disease protection.
2 Methods of Fertigation
We discuss the two main methods of fertigation, Quantitative fertigation
and Proportional fertigation and share the pros and cons of each.
Fertiliser solubility & compatibility
We also cover the topic of water solubility of fertilisers and how to test
compatibility with a jar test.
Learning outcomes: Understanding the concept of fertigation and what equipment is needed for precision fertigation.
Module 5:
Fertigation System Setup and Operation
This module provides practical, step-by-step guidance on the hardware of a simple fertigation system and how to run it safely and effectively.
Equipment
This lesson will demystify the equipment needed, focusing on cost-effective
options for small to medium-sized farms. It will cover the function of the
fertilizer tank, injection devices (like Venturi injectors), and essential
filters.
System operation guide
A practical guide to running a fertigation cycle, including preparing the
stock solution, starting the system, injecting the fertilizer, and flushing the
lines. This lesson will heavily emphasize safety protocols.
System Maintenance and Troubleshooting
This lesson will cover the regular maintenance required to keep the system running smoothly, such as cleaning filters and flushing lines. It will also provide a troubleshooting guide for common problems like clogged emitters and uneven fertilizer distribution.
Learning outcomes: You will learn how to use a fertigation system.
Module 6:
Creating a Fertigation Schedule
This module integrates all the preceding information to guide farmers in creating and managing a personalized, data-driven fertigation schedule.
Analysis
This module will cover how soil test, leaf test, water test, crop requirements and yeild affect your fertigation schedule. We will share examples of Harshit's farm.
Ideal Ratios of NPK
Ideal ratios of NPK fertilisers are revealed according to the age of plant.
Nutrient Timing
We share how a uniform ratio throughout the year is not a good strategy and
discuss the NPK needs of the plant according to the phenological stage.
Case studies
We use Harshit's farm as an example and share 3 case studies. We learn how
to create the fertigation plan for 3 subsequent years.
Calculating the amount of fertiliser needed
The values in the fertigation plan are in elemental form. We then calculate
what fertilisers are needed and in what quantity to fulfil the needs of the
avocado orchard.
Secondary & Micro Nutrients
We share the quantity required for secondary and micro nutrients in case
there is a deficiency.
Cost of fertilisers
Lastly, we share the costs involved in precise avocado fertigation.
Learning outcomes: You will learn how to create a fertigation plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have Limited time access after purchase?
No, once you purchase you have access for life.
Do I have to pay monthly?
No, you pay one time for each course and that's it.
What is included in each module?
Most modules have 1 Hinglish lecture delivered by Harshit & Ronak, 1 expert lesson delivered by Hedva or Lior and supplementary study notes in pdf format.
Do you have any supplementary material?
Yes, each module of the course has detailed notes pdf as supplementary material that you can download, print and study.
Is it in English, Hindi or Hebrew?
The lectures are in conversational Hinglish with English subtitles. The expert lesson from Hedva and Lior are in English though. The supplimentary notes PDF is in English which you can convert to your language through ChatGPT.
Is this the only way to fertilise avocado plants?
Each avocado growing country has different ways to fertigate avocado according to their micro climate. We have shared the Israeli way of practice. This is enough to get you going and get high yields. Maybe in the future we will produce more fertigation courses from countries like South Africa, Australia, Mexico, USA etc.
Where can I buy Indo Israel Avocado plants?
Please contact Indo Israel Avocado team to buy Avocado plants grafted on Israeli rootstocks.
Ajay: + 91 7987985929
Leeladhar Ji: +91 9755138689 or
Manoj Ji: +91 6268643227.
What's the price of the course?
For the first 100 customers, the course is priced at ₹15,000, which is roughly $170 USD. After 100, the price will increase to ₹25,000, which is $283 USD.