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Fertilizers, trace elements and plant protection products

The time has come when advanced agricultural technologies are on the heels of those who do not use their full potential. After all, it is absolutely normal that the dream of every farmer is to get the largest possible crop of excellent quality from his land, and then a high profit. And a question: “HOW TO INCREASE SOIL FERTILITY?” repeats year after year.

Complex approach for improve soil fertility.

Regular and proper irrigation, drainage, soil digging and loosening, as well as pest and weed control are far from a complete list of methods for increasing natural fertility of the soil. After all, fertilizing hard, dehydrated, and overgrown with weeds is just a pointless undertaking. You should also take into account the fact that the plants themselves are able to deplete the soil.

The lack of micro and macro nutrients directly affects the development and growth of seedlings and their yield. Therefore, plants should first of all be given sufficient access to vital factors such as light , air, temperature and water, and then apply the necessary top dressing to the soil in the form of fertilizers and trace elements, since not all nutrients can be obtained by plants from the soil on their own.

What are fertilizers and trace elements? How is fertilizer applied?

For full development and growth, plants must receive both organic and mineral fertilizers, as well as trace elements such as magnesium ( Mn), manganese (Mg), boron (B), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), cobalt ( Co) and zinc (Zn) in certain proportions.

Timely application of fertilizers and trace elements does not will only increase the yield level by 50-60%, but will also improve the general condition and composition of the soil.

When planning your crops, we recommend doing a soil analysis, as well as drawing up a fertilizer application plan with dosage and periodicity for several years. Such preparation will help you form a general agrotechnical strategy and enable control and regulation application of fertilizers and trace elements to the soil. After all, some of them are able to work for 2-3 years, depending on the type of soil. And there is no need to add such fertilizers annually, so as not to oversaturate the soil and avoid unnecessary material costs.

The most famous and popular organic fertilizer is manure, it acts on the soil for up to 3 years and contains elements such as potassium , phosphorus, nitrogen and calcium. However, not all plants tolerate such a fertilizer; most root crops belong to them. These plants should not be planted in the first year after applying this organic fertilizer.

Disadvantages of Organic Fertilizers :

inability to use on clay soils due to the content of sodium salts in their composition.
expensive compared to mineral fertilizers
the need to apply in large quantities due to the low content of trace elements in their structure.
slow digestibility in all soil types.

Mineral fertilizers are divided into several types, depending on the main element included in their composition. The main ones :

Nitrogen Fertilizers
Nitrate fertilizers
Ammonia
Phosphate Fertilizers
Potash fertilizer
Complex fertilizers.

IMPORTANT!

If there is not enough organic matter in the soil, then you need to fill this deficiency first, and then add mineral fertilizers often, but in small quantities. This is due to the fact that organic fertilizers are absorbed by plants slowly, while mineral fertilizers are easily absorbed and give an effect quickly.

Accurate fertilization dosage is required!

Table1. The main types of mineral fertilizers, method of application, dosage.

Type of mineral fertilizer	Basic mineral fertilizers	Fertilization period and method	DosageAdaptation. Features
Nitrogen fertilizer(ammonia and amide)	Ammonia water, ammonia saltpeter, ammonium sulfate, urea (urea)	When digging, it is better in early spring (stimulates active growth), for foliar feeding (spraying)< /td>	For 1 sq.m. from 10 to 40 gr (as the main fertilizer) For spraying – 30 gr. dissolve urea in 10 l. water (per 100 sq.m.)
Nitrate (saltpeter)(subspecies of nitrogen fertilizers)	Potassium nitrate (potassium nitrate), calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate	Feeding in summer, recommended during dry periods.	For 1 sq.m. 15-25 gr. fertilizers. Contribute to soil acidification.
Phosphorus fertilizers	Orthophosphoric acid, HEDF, superphosphates, triple superphosphate	For all fruit and vegetable crops in autumn for digging and in early spring directly into planting holes.	Superphosphate per 1 sq.m. from 40 to 60 gr. Double superphosphate is added 2 times less.
Potassium fertilizers	Potassium sulfate (potassium sulfate), potassium carbonate (potash)	For all cruciferous crops, legumes, potatoes. On peat and sandy soils – in spring, on clay soils, for better assimilation – in autumn.	At 1m. q 20-25 gr fertilizer
Magnesium fertilizers	Magnesium sulfate (magnesium sulfate), magnesite	For greenhouse plants (cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.) Apply when digging in spring or autumn. Increase the fertility of peat and sandy soils.	For 1 sq.m. 10-25 gr. fertilizers (as the main fertilizer). For spraying and top dressing – dissolve 30 g of magnesium sulfate in 10 liters of water (per 100 square meters)
Complex fertilizers	Nitroammofoska, ammophos, potassium monophosphate, ammonium monophosphate, diammophos	Contribute in summer and spring. If the composition includes nitrogen, then it is better to use in the spring, if not, in the fall.	For 1 sq.m. 20-30 gr. ammophos and diammophos. For 1 square meter 70-80 gr. NPK

IMPORTANT! Doses are shown as an average. A more accurate dosage and method of application is calculated depending on the type and analysis of the soil, the crops planted on it and other agrotechnical features.

Additional application of microelements will help to quickly fill the deficiency of essential substances, and will also have a beneficial effect on all biochemical processes of plant development, including strengthening immunity to diseases and pests and to fruit formation.

The main trace elements are boron, manganese,iron and copper, as well as zinc and molybdenum.

Table 2. Main trace elements, compounds, where they are contained and their function.

Title trace element	Compounds containing trace element	Plant trace element function, application period
Boron	Boric acid, sodium tetraborate (borax )	Participates in carbon exchange, required at each period of plant development. Applied in the spring when digging and foliar top dressing, also used to treat seeds before planting.
Iron	Iron sulfate (ferrous sulfate, ferrous sulfate), iron chelates	Participates in the stimulation of photosynthesis, in oxidative and energy metabolism. Used as a foliar application.
Manganese	Manganese sulfate (manganese sulfate)	It is a conductor of the main nutrients: potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus. Retains moisture in leaves and stems, which contributes to better growth and development of the plant. Applied during autumn digging and as a spray (foliar feeding) for fruit trees.
Copper	Copper vitriol (copper sulfate)	Plays an important role in the plant’s oxidative metabolism. With a lack of copper, the plant may be subject to such a disease as chlorosis (yellow or light green foliage with further death). Added during autumn and spring digging, as well as for foliar processing before flowering, carefully processing the buds.
Zinc	Zinc sulfate (zinc sulfate)	It is a conductor of phosphorus along the leaves and stem of the plant. Zinc increases the plant’s immunity to temperature changes. With a lack of phosphorus, sluggish cell division occurs and, as a result, deformation of the leaves.
Molybdenum	Sodium molybdate (sodium molybdate), ammonium molybdate	Improves nitrogen metabolism and enhances potassium and phosphorus absorption. With a lack of molybdenum, the plant accumulates a large amount of nitrates in the leaves. They are applied during autumn and spring digging, as well as for foliar processing of fruit trees and shrubs.

How to ensure that labor on your land brings not only the joy of communicating with nature, but also the maximum return and satisfaction from the resulting rich harvest?

To summarize. Therefore, in order to increase soil fertility and crop yields, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive measures to care for the condition of the soil (digging, loosening, watering, organizing a drainage system, etc.). As well as the timely application of the necessary fertilizers, which will improve the condition of the soil and provide the necessary elements for the proper growth and development of plants.

Fertilizers must be applied according to the developed fertilization plan and soil analysis. As needed, both organic and mineral fertilizers are applied, as well as microelements in the exact dosage.