Growing grapes requires knowledge regarding protecting the plant from diseases. Only preventive measures taken on time can lead to the full development of the vine, successful and abundant fruiting. Timely feeding of berry crops also plays an important role. Gardeners need to use iron sulfate for grapes in agricultural technology. The drug is important as a means of preventing and treating major diseases of fruit crops.
What it is?
Iron sulfate is a solution of ferrous sulfate.Ferric sulfate is odorless and consists of transparent bluish-green crystals. The substance differs:
- good solubility in water;
- low toxicity;
- oxidation under the influence of air;
- low degree of decomposition at high temperatures.
In industrial production, iron sulfate is obtained as a by-product when iron sheets or wires are etched with sulfuric acid to remove scale.
You can prepare the substance yourself by treating scrap iron with a dilute solution of sulfuric acid.
The use of iron sulfate is extensive. In addition to agriculture, it is necessary as a medicine for patients with iron deficiency anemia. It is also used for dyeing fabrics and producing ink.
Iron sulfate is produced in the form of crystalline powder, in bags weighing 150 grams.
Mechanism of action
Since iron sulfate crystals are obtained by the action of sulfuric acid on iron, they are used when necessary:
- replenish the number of atoms of an important substance in plant tissues;
- fertilize the soil;
- destroy pathogenic microorganisms;
- take measures to combat chlorosis.
The crystals contain so much iron that if there is a shortage, it can be replenished by 1-2 spraying procedures with the solution.
Given the low toxicity of the substance, it is used only for preventive purposes in the fall. Treated plants will be protected from fungal infections. But vitriol has little effect on insect pests; stronger agents are needed. Therefore, copper sulfate, which has stronger disinfectant properties, is useful here.
What are the benefits for grapes?
To carry out work in the vineyard, it is necessary to use a solution of iron sulfate.Due to a lack of iron, the vine begins to have problems. They are identified by stunting of shoots, yellowing and falling of leaves. There is nothing to dream about a harvest when the vine is in this condition. Only treatment with iron sulfate will save you.
From diseases: mildew, bacterial cancer, spotted necrosis - spraying with iron sulfate will also help. They heal wounds on the vine, since restoration of the structure of the woody layer under the influence of vitriol solution occurs faster.
In the northern regions, it is possible to delay bud opening artificially by treating the shoots with iron sulfate. Then frosts, which are most dangerous in the spring, will not harm the grapevine.
Experienced gardeners know the effect of ferrous sulfate solution as the main means of protecting against winter cold. The drug helps stimulate the reproduction of berry crops.
The product has many advantages. In addition to the wide range of effects, it is also noted that it is low-toxic. By delicately affecting plants, without penetrating deep into the tissues, the drug has a beneficial effect on the growth and fruiting of grapes.
It just needs to be diluted correctly so as not to burn the vine.
The substance combines well with citric acid. The prepared mixture effectively copes with non-infectious chlorosis. But vitriol is not mixed with lime, since there will be no benefit from such a composition.
Methods of application
The use of iron sulfate in the vineyard is quite extensive:
- Whitewashing grape shoots will repel ants. Pests always cause damage to the vine along with aphids. After spring whitewashing, you can forget about these insects.
- Prevention grape chlorosis carried out by treating the soil with a solution of iron sulfate.Spraying of the vine is carried out before the buds open and the first leaves appear, which will avoid problems during the flowering and fruiting period.
- Treatment with iron sulfate will prevent the formation of mosses, lichens, and various damage on grape shoots.
- Water the grape bushes at the root with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of citric acid and 2 teaspoons of iron sulfate, taken per 3 liters of cold boiled water. It is necessary to feed the leaves of the berry crop with this composition in order to improve the health of the vine. It is important to use the product immediately after preparation, once every 10 days.
The root is used feeding grapes annually, but the concentration of the solution is different in young and adult plants.
Procedure for preparing iron sulfate
Depending on the purpose of processing the grapes, the proportions for preparing the ferrous sulfate solution are different:
- Plants need iron in the powder in the spring, after the snow melts. Prepare a concentrated solution. 15 grams of the substance are poured into a bucket of soft, settled water. After mixing, water the soil on the plantation.
- In order to destroy pest larvae and spores of pathogenic fungi, you will need to prepare a mixture of 150 grams of the substance by dissolving the powder in 10 liters of water.
- The non-standard part of the vine is treated in April with a 3% solution of ferrous sulfate. Only such a concentration of the substance will lead to the destruction of growths in the form of mosses and lichens.
- A 1% ferric sulfate product is used as a prophylactic after pruning the vine. By whitening the grape trunks, a protective film is formed on them. It will become an obstacle to the penetration of fungi and insect larvae into the plant.
Ferrous sulfate crystals should only be diluted in soft water.Before the procedure, pour the crystals into rainwater or well-settled water. Thanks to the ability of vitriol to quickly dissolve, the product will be ready in 20 minutes.
How to use it correctly
Most often, a solution of ferrous sulfate is used as soon as the snow has melted and the kidneys are still dormant. In spring, using the solution you can:
- fertilize the soil in the vineyard;
- protect the crop from pests;
- disinfect damage on shoots;
- rid the plantings of mosses and lichens.
You should not cultivate the soil if there are no signs of iron deficiency in it.
Insecticidal treatment is carried out with a solution of 0.5-1%. Dilute as the instructions say. A strong concentration of the drug will cause burns to the vine. In the same way, a remedy is prepared to prevent chlorosis in fruit crops. Water the mixture under the roots. For foliar treatment, take a 3% solution of ferrous sulfate.
The same mixture is used to treat areas where growths in the form of lichen or moss have appeared. After a few hours, they are mechanically scraped off.
In places where there are wounds, cracks and other damage, apply a soft brush with a 1% aqueous solution of ferrous sulfate.
Treatment is also effective in the fall before covering the vine for the winter. You need to prepare a more concentrated solution, from 3 to 5%. After this procedure, the vine laid for the winter will not become moldy and will survive the winter cold well.
In summer, iron sulfate is not used to treat the vineyard, as it causes burns to the leaves. You can only use watering with a weak solution of ferrous sulfate when signs of chlorosis are found on the plant.
Common Mistakes
Like any chemical, iron sulfate must be used correctly.
If you violate the instructions for preparing the solution, something irreparable can happen. Plants are at risk of death when the concentration of iron sulfate is higher than normal. But when using small doses during treatment, you should not expect the proper result from prevention or treatment.
By spraying buds that are still dormant, you can stop their development. This is suitable for regions where spring frosts often return and destroy the vines. In the southern regions, after such treatment, the development of buds will stop, and the harvest will not be received on time.
Iron sulfate will not cure bacterial infections. There is no need to waste time on processing, but it is better to replace the drug with copper sulfate, which is more effective against pathogenic microorganisms.
The acidic composition of iron sulfate does not allow it to be combined with products based on zinc, copper, and magnesium. All alkaline preparations are not used with ferrous sulfate. And laundry soap is not used in solutions. In combination with alkalis, treatment with iron sulfate will be of no use. It is better to alternately spray with different preparations, observing a break of 2 weeks.
To treat the vines, take a spray bottle or sprayer, protecting parts of the body from contact with the working fluid. Wear a respirator on your face, and wear rubber gloves on your hands.
Pets should not be near the vineyard during disinfection treatment. After applying the ferrous sulfate solution, wash your hands with warm water and soap.
Considering the instability of the drug, disinfection with the drug is carried out in calm cloudy weather. Rains can wash the substance from the vine, and then preventive measures will have to be taken again.
