The use of fungicides makes it possible to protect garden plants from bacteria and fungi. Many of the tools that were used previously are still used today. Let's consider the composition, pros and cons of iron sulfate, purpose and methods of use. What are its differences from copper sulfate, compatibility of the product, how to store it and substitute fungicides.
What it is
Ferrous sulfate has other chemical names: ferrous sulfate or ferrous sulfate.It looks like small crystals of blue and green color, with a metallic taste, no smell. Chemical formula – FeSO4. The crystals dissolve well in water; for better dissolution they need to be diluted in heated water.
Advantages and disadvantages
Iron sulfate has the following advantages:
- has a strong disinfectant effect;
- preventive and curative agent;
- has a detrimental effect on pests;
- can be used as a fertilizer, as it contains a lot of iron in elemental form;
- the substance does not penetrate plant tissues, therefore does not accumulate in them, it is safe for greens and fruits;
- accessible and cheap.
Cons of Ferrous Sulfate:
- the solution is easily washed off when watering and raining;
- can be used on plants in the dormant period when they have no leaves;
- has some toxicity to humans.
To ensure that the drug does not reduce its effectiveness, it is important to follow the rules for working with it, for example, do not treat trees before it rains.
Why is iron sulfate needed in gardening?
It is used to treat trees and bushes against infectious damage and pests.
From diseases
Vitriol is used against infections, lichens and mosses on fruit trees, shrubs and grapevines. It prevents infection and treats damage, so it is used to treat cut branches after pruning, bark cracks, and hollows.
Ferrous sulfate has another effect on plants: it can delay the opening of buds for about a week; this property can be used to delay the opening of buds during the period of frost. In this case, trees and grapes are sprayed with a 3-4% solution.
Used to cultivate land that is deficient in iron. The element in the substance is in a form that plants absorb very well.
From pests
Iron sulfate is also used in the garden against pests that spend the winter hiding under the bark and in the soil of tree trunks. The bark is also treated in spring or autumn. It is often mixed with lime, which enhances the fungicidal effect and improves the adhesion of the solution to the bark. The same solution can be used to disinfect wooden elements of buildings, cellar walls, utility rooms, stables and sheds for animals.
How is it different from copper sulfate?
Iron and copper sulfate, although they are salts of sulfuric acid, contain different elements - iron and copper, so their effect on plants is different. But they have a lot in common - sulfates are used primarily as antifungal agents for treating plants during the dormant period. They can be fertilizers for feeding plants with iron and copper. Each has its own purpose; replacing one with another as fertilizer will not work.
How to use ferrous sulfate correctly
According to the instructions for use, use solutions of different concentrations:
- 3% (300 g per 10 l) - for treating stone fruits against fungi in the fall, before wintering;
- 4-5% (400-500 g per 10 l) – for pome fruits;
- 5-6% - for treating trunks and branches from lichens and moss, cellars from mold.
Plants are fed with a 1-1.5% solution if there are signs of iron starvation.The solution is applied using regular watering in spring and summer. For spraying on the leaves, prepare a 0.5% solution. After foliar application, iron quickly penetrates into the plant, so this method can be used to quickly resolve the issue of element deficiency in the soil. Iron spraying can be carried out not only for trees, but also for annual crops. Vitriol can be added to compost to enrich it with iron (100 g per 10 kg of weight).
Precautionary measures
When preparing the solution, you need to use non-metallic utensils; ordinary buckets will not work. The metal and vitriol react with each other, the solution becomes unusable, and the walls of the bucket deteriorate.
Ferrous sulfate is classified as toxicity class 3 for humans. To work in the garden with iron sulfate, you need to wear gloves on your hands so that the skin is not damaged by the powder or solution. You need to protect your eyes with goggles and wear a respirator. If the liquid does get on the skin, it should be washed off with clean water. If this is not done, severe skin irritation may occur.
If the aerosol penetrates the respiratory system or liquid enters the stomach, poisoning is possible. The effect of the substance is expressed in irritation of the mucous membranes, signs of intoxication, and diarrhea. If such symptoms are observed, you should quickly perform a gastric lavage: drink medicinal charcoal and 1 liter of water. If after this the condition has not stabilized, you should consult a doctor.
Compatibility with other drugs
Iron sulfate cannot be mixed in solution with FOS and agricultural products that decompose under the influence of alkalis. Therefore, in spring and autumn it should be used separately from fungicidal preparations, and not mixed in one solution.If it is necessary to treat with another fungicide, an interval of 2 weeks must be maintained.
In other cases, if you need to use vitriol in a tank mixture, you should know that theoretically it has good miscibility, but in each case you should first check the chemical compatibility of the substances. You need to conduct a test: take both drugs in a small amount and combine the solutions in a separate container. If they don't interact, they can be mixed and used.
Terms and conditions of storage
Vitriol can absorb water, so it must be protected from dampness. Store only in tightly closed, undamaged containers so that moisture, air, and sunlight do not penetrate to the substance. If the conditions are met, the drug can be stored indefinitely. If the packaging is damaged and moisture penetrates, the powder becomes saturated with water, cakes and partially loses its valuable properties.
Food, animal feed, medicines and household products should not come into contact with vitriol. Iron sulfate must not be found by children or animals. Any pesticides and fertilizers can be added along with vitriol; they do not affect the fungicide and do not change its properties.
Analogs
As a fungicide with a similar effect, you can take copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture, as well as ready-made preparations “Chorus”, “Clean Stem”.
As a fertilizer, instead of vitriol, you can use iron-containing preparations, for example, iron chelate, as well as complex microfertilizers containing this element.
Ferrous sulfate is a substance that is often used for spring and autumn treatment of orchards and vineyards against a number of fungal infections.Moreover, it finds application both in agriculture and in private ones. The drug acts quickly and effectively, prevents or treats fungi, destroys mosses and lichens.
It can also be used as an iron-containing fertilizer, especially if it is necessary to quickly restore the amount of the element in the soil. In this case, you can apply the solution at the root or by spraying it on the leaf. Normalizing iron levels allows plants to develop stably, increases productivity, and improves the quality of fruits. It does not accumulate in the fruits themselves, so they remain suitable for consumption. The product is not expensive, can be stored for a long time, and can be purchased at any hardware store.
