Independent 2015–2016 case study at Mkuze (KZN) compared AgriWater-treated vs untreated drip-irrigated sugarcane. Treated plots showed softer soil and deeper roots (≈≥1.2 m), lower sodium with better nutrient balance, higher Soil Health Scores (e.g., 9.4 vs 6.8 at 15 cm; 10.6 vs 7.52 at harvest), greener growth with longer internodes, less Eldana, and earlier ripeness—supporting a clear positive impact despite drought and rising bicarbonates in source water.
Case Studies & Trials
Barend Pienaar
1 min read
Assessment_of_Agriwater_Water_Treatment_on_Soils_and_Sugarcane
Barend Pienaar
Summary
A technical case study by Eco-Agri Consultants evaluated the impact of treated versus untreated irrigation water on sugar cane crops in Mkuze, KZN, over a year. The findings indicated that treated water enhanced soil health, nutrient availability, and crop growth, while untreated areas suffered from poor soil structure and lower nutrient levels, underscoring the benefits of water treatment despite challenges like drought and high bicarbonate levels.
Keywords
water treatment
soil health
sugar cane
irrigation
nutrient availability
soil fertility
treated water
untreated water
crop growth
soil structure