Gardeners dream of getting a decent harvest in limited areas; for potatoes, it is necessary to allocate ridges with fertile, moisture-permeable soil. The culture quickly depletes the soil. The result is that the bushes produce 5-6 tubers weighing up to 100 g.
Your energy is wasted. To plant plants for next year, the land requires structuring. Mineral complexes should be added.
Monopotassium phosphate will help solve the problem of growing potatoes in small summer cottages. This drug actively increases potato resistance to diseases and strengthens bushes.
What it is
Potatoes are responsive to different mineral fertilizers. The choice of gardeners is determined by ease of use and price.
Description of potassium monophosphate:
- the substance has the formula KH₂PO₄;
- the purified compound is crystalline, colorless;
- industry produces light brown or beige powder or granules;
- dissolves in soft water (22.6% of mass at T=20⁰С, 83.5% at T=90⁰С);
- active ions: P⁺ (23%), K⁻ (28%);
- in concentration it lags behind potassium preparations (sulfate, chloride) and phosphorus (superphosphates).
Additional names: monopotassium salt of orthophosphoric acid (dihydroorthophosphate). The solubility of a powdered substance depends on the softness of the liquid. It is not recommended to dilute with artesian or tap water (caking occurs). Gardeners should take into account: granules disperse in water of any hardness..
Inclusions of sulfur or iron change the color of the salt to yellowish. This indicates a manufacturing defect. You should not buy the drug.
The value of potassium monophosphate is its rapid solubility and rapid absorption of useful elements. These properties determine the rules of application when growing potatoes.
Advantages of potassium salt
The use of potassium monophosphate in country gardens is determined by the positive aspects:
- The amount of active ions P⁺, K⁻ is optimal for growing green mass by potatoes. Healthy, strong tops enable the plant to form large tubers.
- The bushes respond to fertilization by growing side shoots. The stems thicken, the plants do not lie down on the ridges.
- The active components are easily absorbed by all parts of the potato (shoots, tubers).
- Does not accumulate in soil or plants. Proper processing of plantings allows you to obtain dense, tasty tubers. Their keeping quality will increase.
- The complex is compatible with all known pesticides.It is allowed to prepare a single solution for treating tops.
- Nitrogen enhances the effect of potassium monophosphate. But it is necessary to maintain an interval: first add N, and after 2–5 days treat with fertilizer.
- KN₂PO₄ does not change the acidity of the soil. Reasonable use will eliminate negative aspects.
- Additional bonus: prevention of powdery mildew and fungal diseases of potatoes.
- The tops do not accumulate sugar. The skin thickens. The result is that the plant becomes useless to aphids.
- Soil microflora does not suffer from the use of potassium monophosphate. Bacteria and microorganisms continue to work actively.
Monopotassium salt added to the soil retains moisture. This must be taken into account when planning watering of plantings.
What should a gardener prepare for?
Twice foliar feeding of potatoes allows you to get a good harvest in a small area. But the gardener must also evaluate the disadvantages of the drug:
- The maximum effect is achieved when the complex is added in dissolved form. Summer residents are accustomed to incorporating dry matter into the soil.
- When preparing beds for potatoes in the autumn, potassium monophosphate is added only when planting green manure.
- The dry matter embedded in the soil has a beneficial effect on potatoes in moderately warm and humid summers.
- Weeds appreciated the complex. The ridges need to be constantly weeded. For working summer residents, this is an unwanted burden.
- The complex easily absorbs moisture. The beneficial properties of a wet drug disappear.
- The spray solution loses its strength in the light. The finished product must be applied within 2–3 hours.
- Potassium monophosphate does not combine with calcium and magnesium. Potatoes stop absorbing these elements.This feature should be taken into account when growing potatoes on soils with low Ca and Mg content.
Potassium monophosphate is effective at the first signs of K deficiency (brown, wrinkled, bent down potato leaves). This is ensured by the instant absorption of the K⁻ ion.
How to apply it correctly?
Gardeners prepare planting areas for potatoes in advance. In the autumn, they dig up and add mineral and organic substances. There is no point in scattering monopotassium salt into the soil: the ions will be absorbed by weeds. The potatoes won't get anything.
Fertilizer use in the fall it is justified when planting green manure on the future field. The ridges need to be dug up, KN₂PO₄ scattered, and sealed with a rake. Small seeds are scattered without being embedded in the ground. In this case, the planting must be covered with light lutrasil and pressed around the perimeter (protected from birds). Large ones are scattered simultaneously with fertilizer.
Good results are achieved by adding potassium monophosphate when planting potatoes in spring. The tubers should be laid out in grooves according to the pattern and sprinkled with soil and fertilizer on top. Then water generously. This will ensure that you obtain a chelated (easily digestible) form of the complex.
Gardeners are trying feed the potatoes simultaneously with hilling. The ridges must first be cleared of weeds. Monophosphate is distributed along the bush plantings. Then soil is added. Disadvantage of the method: the complex must be dissolved in water. When watering, liquid flows from the soil rolls. The absorption of active ions is incomplete.
An effective way to feed potatoes with potassium salt is to spray the tops. The granular preparation must be dissolved in water (8–15 g per 10 l). Wear gloves, safety glasses and a respirator.Spray in the morning before 9 o'clock or in the evening after 16. Apply the first feeding after hilling, the second - during the formation of buds.
Potassium monophosphate has more advantages than disadvantages. This ensures its use for obtaining a good potato harvest in summer cottages.
