The use of mineral fertilizers by gardeners experienced, in the process of development of agricultural technology, both a peak of popularity and a decline, up to the complete abandonment of inorganic compounds. However, both excessive enthusiasm for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds, and ignoring these elements, did not lead to anything good. Too many factors depend on the correct application of them to the soil: soil composition, type of fruit and vegetable crop, climate and growing conditions.
The need to strictly adhere to the rules for adding mineral supplements has given rise to the myth that their use is difficult, but this is not the case. Today’s article will help you understand the features of using inorganic compounds, their types and distinctive qualities.
What are mineral fertilizers and why are they needed?
Organic fertilizers, unlike mineral ones, have a wider spectrum of action and contain all the compounds necessary for plants in full. Inorganic compositions are characterized by a directed effect; they must compensate for specific deficiencies in the composition of the soil or correct the development (growth, vegetation, fruiting) of the crop.
Mineral fertilizers are divided into two main groups. These are simple fertilizers (single-component) and complex (containing two or more elements). Most often, experienced agronomists are inclined to use the second type of mineral compounds, since this allows them to simultaneously solve several problems of replenishing nutrient deficiencies in the soil and adjusting its acidity.
Types of mineral fertilizers
Mineral fertilizers, no matter how complex their composition is considered, always have one or more leading components:
- potassium;
- nitrogen;
- phosphorus.
It is these substances, supported by micro- and macroelements that complement them in each type of additive, that are responsible for the healthy development, flowering and productivity of garden crops.
Nitrogen
Fertilizers containing nitrogen organize the construction of the cellular structure of the plant, that is, they are a source of plant protein, without which the growth of green mass is impossible.
Mineral nitrogen compounds are divided into five groups:
- Nitrate.These include potassium, calcium and sodium nitrate. Nitrate nitrogen fertilizers suppress acidic soil conditions and are suitable for all types of plants. Nitrate fertilizers can be applied during all periods of crop development, but special attention is paid to a sufficient amount of nitrogen in the soil when green ovaries are formed.
- Ammonium. They completely replenish the nitrogen deficiency in the soil, but can contribute to soil acidification, so they are added along with chalk or lime.
- Ammonium-nitrate. Universal fertilizer, perfectly accepted by all garden and garden crops. It is applied when preparing the site during the autumn digging period or directly under the root of each seedling bush during planting.
- Amide. These include urea and urea. They can be used for foliar fertilizer, and are well accepted by both above-ground and underground parts of the plant.
- Liquid form. These are ammonia water, various ammonia compounds, anhydrous ammonia. They have a long-lasting effect and therefore require fewer applications. As an option, they are preferable for use in summer cottages, where frequent visits are not possible.
Sandy and sandy loam soils require the most nitrogen. Plants planted in such soils without proper preliminary feeding can be easily recognized by small, dull-colored leaves, the absence or low expression of lateral shoots, and slow growth.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus mineral supplements are responsible for oxygen metabolism, that is, the process of photosynthesis in seedlings. Without the participation of this element, the green mass, and primarily the leafy part of the crop, changes color to a darker one and then begins to die, stopping the growth and development of the entire plant.
Fertilizers containing large quantities of phosphorus are applied during autumn digging. Below is a list of the most popular mineral phosphorus fertilizers used for most types of vegetables, flowers and berries:
- "Superphosphate".
- "Ammophos".
- "Diammophos".
- "Potassium metaphosphate."
- "Phosphorite flour."
- "Nitroammophoska".
The most common among phosphate mineral fertilizers are mixed types of fertilizers containing at least three components. An example of such a complex mixed composition is “Nitroammofoska”, which is perfectly absorbed by the root system of the plant during all periods of its development.
Potash
Potassium mineral fertilizers are used during dry summers or when it is impossible to regularly water seedlings. The best example of potassium fertilizers is considered to be potassium sulfate, which, according to agrotechnical instructions, is used for growing potatoes and other root crops that require moisture retention in the soil, but do not tolerate chlorine well. Examples of potassium compounds without chlorine: potassium nitrate, potash, potassium magnesium sulfate.
Potassium chloride, the second type of these mineral fertilizers, is enthusiastically accepted by garden crops, but under one condition - if the soils of the cultivated area are light enough, and fertilizing is carried out not on the eve of planting, but in the winter.
Complex
Complex fertilizers usually include all three main nutrients, plus several additional microelements that increase the versatility and functionality of the preparations. Before adding mineral fertilizers of a complex composition to the soil, it is necessary to assess the nature of the soil - in sandy and sandy loam soils complex fertilizing is introduced in the spring, in heavy loam - in the fall.
The simplest complex mineral fertilizers are two- and three-component sets. These are nitrogen-phosphorus, phosphorus-potassium and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium mineral fertilizers.
Complex-mixed
For those gardeners who are hesitant to completely move away from organic fertilizers, but have already appreciated the benefits of mineral additives, special organomineral fertilizers containing humates are available for sale. This type of complex mixed fertilizer, produced in granules, maintains an optimal chemical balance of the soil and preserves active microflora in the soil.
Pure mineral compositions of complex mixed additives combine the same three leading components - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, in formulas with different ratios of each element in relation to the others. Modern manufacturers, trying to maintain the purity and versatility of the composition, try to exclude chlorine components and other by-products of chemical reactions from combined fertilizers.
Examples of mineral fertilizers with a complex combined composition:
- "Ammophoska".
- "Nitrophoska".
- "Diammofoska".
Despite the apparent similarity of composition, the mixtures are presented in different formulas and have recommendations for use under the conditions of specific external and internal factors.
Microfertilizers
Microfertilizers are necessary to maintain the healthy state of all garden and garden crops without exception, especially in the growing season, which determines the yield and quality of fruits.
Mineral microfertilizers are used less widely than fertilizers containing organic derivatives. For the most part, they are not suitable for spraying plants and are applied to the soil exclusively in liquid form.
Popular mineral microfertilizers:
- boric acid;
- magnesium borate;
- ferrous sulfate;
- sodium ammonium molybdate;
- potassium permanganate;
- zinc sulfate.
For each type of crop, it is advisable to select a specific composition of a multicomponent additive saturated with microelements, but the use of relatively universal mixtures is allowed. In this case, the only nuance in applying fertilizing for different plant groups will be compliance with individual dosages.
Application of mineral fertilizers: general tips
It is recommended to apply any types and compositions of mineral fertilizers to the soil when the seedlings have recovered from transplantation and are actively growing into greenery, which will indicate good rooting of the plant. In terms of timing, this will be at least 20 days of the waiting period and is applied only if all the bushes in the garden are healthy and active in development.
First, before mineral fertilizers are applied, the soil is thoroughly moistened. If, after the process of introducing fertilizers, a film has formed on the surface of the soil, after a few hours the soil is loosened. It is very important to adhere to the dosage of inorganic additives, since an excess of solution or an excessive concentration of a diluted substance can lead to the opposite effect.
When using the root method of fertilizing, it should not be allowed that the mineral mixture gets on the green tops of plants - when the leaves come into contact with such solutions, they become covered with necrotic ulcers, and the flowers fall off.
Pros and cons of using mineral fertilizers in the garden
Organic fertilizers cause less controversy in terms of agricultural use, although, upon closer examination, both their excess and improper use, taking into account the nature of the soil and climate, have no less disastrous consequences for the crop.The only downside of mineral additives, relative to organic matter, is that when they deviate from the application norms in the direction of increasing concentration, they tend to accumulate in the soil and change its chemical composition.
In addition, microelements contained in complex mineral fertilizers, if not combined correctly, completely block the possibility of crop development and can even render the soil infertile for a long time.
On the other hand, with a rational approach to mineral fertilizing, the yield of fertilized crops increases several times, fruits are harvested earlier than standard dates, and the appearance and taste of the fruits are characterized by maximum compliance with the crop grade indicators.
