Back in the days of the Roman Empire, people already applied various knowledge on supplementary plant nutrition. Ash, lime and gypsum were used. However, the essence of all these actions was not clear and scientifically substantiated. And only in the 17th century, the German chemist Glauber experimentally showed the positive effect of saltpeter on the soil. But scientists of that time could not assess the scale of this experiment, because the role of nitrogen in the development of plants and the element itself would be discovered much later.

The issue of soil replenishment with nutrients was raised by countless scientists from all over the world, including chemist D.I. Mendeleev. For the first time, he conducted experimental work in the field, which laid the foundation for clarifying the dependence of fertilizer use on soil and climatic zones.

The main idea of ​​a balanced diet is to strike a balance between the consumption of nutrients from soil and its replenishment.

It should be noted here that the higher the planned yield level, the more nutrients need to be applied to the soil.
In addition, a clear understanding of the environment and separation in the application of fertilizers are important for a balanced plant nutrition and a high level of agricultural production. Namely, it is necessary to take into account such factors as:

• climatic characteristics of the region
• soil features
• changing nutritional needs of crops during different growth periods
• introducing all necessary batteries
• hereditary possibilities of bred varieties
• soil biochemistry
• Regular monitoring of soil nutrient content and plant uptake.

It has been experimentally proven that in the non-chernozem zone, with a sufficient level of moisture, due to fertilizers, the increase in grain crop yields averages 70-80 %. And in the dry steppe – 50%.

With the replenishment of plants with the main nutrients or macronutrients (NPK) – nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, the need for additional micronutrients increases. In turn, microelements provide better absorption of macronutrients and increase their effectiveness.
In other words, there is a strong correlation in plant uptake of mineral sources of nutrition. A deviation in the concentration of one element from 30% of the norm in the substrate will change the absorption of other elements by the plant. Moreover, the lack of concentration of one element leads to the absorption of others (synergism), and the excess – to the obstruction of the intake of elements (antagonism).
Water, heat, light and environment are important factors that affect the interaction between elements and their absorption by the plant. For example, under conditions of optimal mineral nutrition, a temperature of about 5-6 ° C is critical for mastering the basic elements (NPK). In addition, the best for the growth and vital activity of plants is a slightly acidic environment with a pH close to 6.5.

Nutrition requirements of plants during different growing seasons

When developing a fertilizer system, it is necessary to take into account the different needs of plants for nutrients during the growing season. For example, the main fertilizer should provide nutrition to the plant throughout the entire growing season. Therefore, before sowing, as a rule, all organic fertilizers and most mineral fertilizers are applied.
In the initial period of growth, to support the nutrition of crops with nutrients, especially phosphorus, fertilizers are applied to the rows before the sowing.
Further, to increase and improve the quality of yields, top dressings are applied at different stages of the growing season. Top dressings improve plant nutrition, are added to the diet depending on the identified deficiency of any element.

Eating Methods

In agrochemistry, there is a whole range of methods for regulating plant nutrition. And mineral nutrition is one of the most effective and optimal ways to maintain the vital activity of crops.

There are also plant and soil diagnostics to determine the needs of plants and soil. They include several types of controls:

1. Visual (detection of internal violations by appearance)
2. Chemical
3. Physiological (functional)

Agricultural institutes and experimental agrochemical stations constantly analyze and control the condition of soil and plants. The analysis data is compared with the norms, depending on the chosen method, and then the best options are determined to support the development.
Based on the data of studying the dependence of soil agrochemical indicators on the use of fertilizers, average rates of mineral fertilizers application have been developed.

Table 1. Recommended average doses of fertilizers for major crops for soddy-podzolic and gray forest soils, depending on the level planned harvest.

The table shows the optimal doses of macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, providing high yields and improving its quality while balancing material costs. However, one should not exclude a number of individual factors and personal experience in field work and rely on an integrated approach in calculating fertilizer rates.

Continuation of Table 1.

* – apply only to soils with a low content of potassium.

Follow the link and see the full list of macro- and microelements and fertilizers for plants

Literature:

Yagodin B.A. Agrochemistry 2002 – 584p.

Mudrykh N.M Fertilizer application system in crop rotation 2015 – 28s.

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