Phosphorus fertilizers contribute to more magnificent flowering and active fruit formation, accelerate crop ripening, and also increase the resistance of green crops to cold and drought. Phosphorus, like nitrogen and potassium, is one of the most important elements responsible for plant viability. The need to feed garden crops with phosphorus fertilizers (you will find the names and properties below) by their appearance: they begin to slow down in growth, the color of the leaves changes (they turn red, turn yellow or turn blue), resistance to diseases decreases, the fruits become smaller and fall off , the root system weakens. The lack of phosphorus in the soil especially affects young plants, freshly planted seedlings of vegetable and berry crops.
Traditionally, phosphate top dressing is applied to the ground in spring or with the onset of autumn, moreover, it is better to apply the most active fertilizers in the spring, and hardly soluble fertilizers in the autumn.
Below I will talk more about the classification of phosphorus additives. It should not be forgotten that the type of soil also affects the effectiveness of these fertilizers.
Phosphorus combines very well with nitrogen and potassium, proof of this is effective complex double and triple fertilizers (a combination of these three elements in any variation). Complex additives are most often applied to low-fertile and high-acid soils.
Phosphorus fertilizer - what is it?
These are mineral additives and salts that provide the garden and garden with proper nutrition. It can be said that these are vital elements for the normal development and growth of all green cultures. Each individual plant species has its own individual “dose” of phosphorus top dressing.
Among experienced gardeners, there is an opinion that random sorting with phosphorus additives will not do much harm, because they only absorb this element in the required amount. As much as a plant needs, so much it will take phosphorus from the soil.
All phosphate fertilizers are divided into three types:
- sparingly soluble
- water soluble
- insoluble.
Sparingly soluble are applicable to acidic soil, degraded and leached chernozem. They are introduced in the fall, deep into the ground.
Water-soluble fertilizers can be called universal, they are suitable for any type of soil and are compatible with any green crops.
Insoluble phosphorus fertilizers are not soluble in water, but they are soluble in weak acids, for example, in 2% citric acid. They are suitable for all types of soil, but are especially effective on acidic soils.
Water Soluble Phosphate Fertilizers
- Superphosphate - a fertilizer in the form of granules or powder, in addition to phosphoric acid and monocalcium phosphate also contains magnesium and sulfur. Suitable for all types of soil and for any crops. It is applied to the soil both in pure form and in the company of other top dressings (mixing). This fertilizer increases the immunity of plants, productivity, frost resistance, accelerates the ripening of fruits. To make top dressing in liquid form, superphosphate is diluted with water 100 g / 10 l. If, for example, you need to fertilize tomatoes, then for each bush you will need about 500 g of solution. In dry form, 15 g of powder or granules per one bush of tomatoes is enough.
- Double superphosphate - it includes 50% phosphorus concentrate. It is introduced into the soil mainly in the fall during plowing, about 10,000 g of fertilizer is needed per 10,000 m² (1 ha). If for some reason the land was not fertilized in the fall, then in the spring and / or in the summer this additive can be applied on the plot in liquid form. 5 g of hot water will require 500 g of double superphosphate. The high cost of this supplement is justified by its effectiveness. This tool is often used for trees, as well as for ornamental and fruit shrubs. 70 g are enough for young trees, about 200 g for adults, 40-50 g for any kind of currant, 20-25 g for raspberries, 30-40 g for gooseberries, about 20 g / 1 m² of land for vegetables.
Water soluble, photo:
Sparingly soluble phosphate fertilizers
- Ammophos is a high concentration granular nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer. It is obtained in the process of neutralizing phosphoric acid with ammonia, as a result of which the nitrogen concentration decreases significantly, and phosphorus comes to the main position. Ammophos does not contain nitrates and heavy metals, ideal for vegetables, root crops, fruit trees, shrubs, lawn grasses and garden flowers. It is made mainly before autumn digging, or immediately when planting. It is also allowed to use ammophos in any period of development / growth of green crops, if this is required for some reason. In order to feed vegetables enough 30 g of substance per 1 m², ornamental garden shrubs - 25-30 g / 1 m², low-growing flowers - 7-10 g / 1 m², trees - 18-25 g / 1 m², lawn grass - 18-20 g / 1 m².
- Diammophos is a granular, highly concentrated feed with a high phosphorus content that can be used for all crops. This wide-spectrum nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer does not contain nitrates, works well in tandem with organic additives. Diammophos is often applied to the ground in spring, when green crops have not yet been planted (1 tablespoon per 1 m² of land), but it can also be used at any time of the year and at any phase of plant growth. For vegetables, 2 teaspoons per 1 m² of soil will be sufficient, for fruit shrubs - 2 teaspoons per 1 m², for potatoes and root crops - 1 tsp. to each well.
- Phosphorite flour is a long-acting powdery presowing fertilizer that contains 30% phosphorus. It is introduced in the fall, works well in mixing with other additives, and can act as a neutralizer of acid fertilizing. This is a natural environmentally friendly substance, almost harmless and also inexpensive. Due to its insolubility, phosphorite flour can be added to the soil once every 4 years. On average, 300 g of substance is required per 1 m², it is scattered on the ground, and then dug up.
- Vivianite contains 28% phosphorus in its composition. Vivianite mineral deposits are mined in lowland marshes, therefore its other name is “swamp blue ore”. In terms of performance, this fertilizer is similar to phosphate rock. There is also vivianite with peat, in which the concentration of phosphorus is 15-20%
Insoluble phosphorus fertilizer
Insoluble (citrate-lemon soluble) include:
- Bone meal (phosphoazotine) is a universal long-term organic top dressing (“works” in the soil for 5-8 months), contains 60% phosphorus. This is a product of processing bones of farm animals, it is used for all crops and is used dry once a season. For fertilizing trees and shrubs, 200 g of flour per 1 m² is enough, for vegetables - about 15 g in each well when planting or under each plant at any time. This supplement can be used even two weeks before harvesting.
- Precipitate (calcium dihydrate hydrogen phosphate) - is used as the main fertilizer and as an auxiliary fertilizer, it contains 38% phosphorus. Suitable for any type of soil and for any plants. According to its useful qualities, it is similar to superphosphate, it is introduced into the soil mainly in the fall with deep digging. For 10 m², approximately 200-300 g of precipitate is required.
- Thermophosphate is an artificial phosphate fertilizer in which the phosphorus content varies depending on the variety. The first is tomosclag, which contains 14% phosphorus, an alkaline supplement that works well on acidic soil. It is also used for any type of soil. The second variety - defluorinated phosphate, contains 30% phosphorus, ideal for chernozem. The third is open-hearth slag, especially recommended for acidic soils, and contains 15% phosphorus in its composition.
Bone meal photo:
Phosphorus-Potash Fertilizers
Mixed complex additives include nitrogen-phosphorus-potash and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Consider the main ones.
Potash, phosphorus and nitrogen additives, i.e. complex fertilizers, it is much more convenient to use in the complex, it is more profitable and productive. They can be purchased separately and mixed independently, but ready-made complex fertilizers are also on sale. When using them, it is necessary to take into account the composition, the percentage of substances, as well as the individual needs of a single green culture.
If a plant needs a particular substance more, it can be added in larger quantities. Top dressing of this type is applied to the soil in spring and summer. If, for example, a complex fertilizer contains nitrogen, it is better to use it in the spring to prevent leaching. If there is no nitrogen in the composition and potassium and phosphorus are present, then it is better to do this in the fall.
Potassium phosphate fertilizers - which ones?
As the name implies, they do not contain nitrogen, which helps build green mass. In turn, phosphorus-potassium supplements activate the vitality of the plant to form buds, abundant flowering and fruit ovary. In other words, phosphorus-potash fertilizers work for the result - the crop.
These fertilizers include:
- Agrofoska is made for digging, 5-6 kg per 100 m², the composition is phosphorus P25%, potassium K4%, calcium Ca25%, magnesium Mg3% + trace elements (zinc, nickel, copper, cobalt).
- Potassium metaphosphate - 10 g / 10 l of water - for seedlings of vegetables and flowers; 8-15 g / 10 l of water - for vegetables and root crops; 15 g / 10 l of water - for trees, as well as for ornamental and fruit and berry bushes). Composition: potassium (33%) and phosphorus (50-55%).
- Atlanta Plus - liquid phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (dosage is indicated on the tank). Composition: phosphorus (P2O5) - 18%; potassium (K2O) - 16%), plus salicylic acid and betaines, which have a healing effect against fungal, bacterial and viral infections.
- granular potassium monophosate (average 8-5g / 10 l of water). Composition: potassium - 28%, and phosphorus - 23%.
- powdered top dressing "Autumn" (15 g / 1 m² of land - during flowering, in the fall for digging - 35 g / 1 m²). Composition: nitrogen 2%, phosphorus 5%, potassium 10%, magnesium 1.5% and trace elements.
Nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer - the use of such complex compositions is aimed at improving the quality of the soil, increasing the yield and taste of vegetables, fruits. These are one of the most popular and favorite fertilizers by summer residents. They contain three main elements that are responsible for the vitality of all green crops.
These include Nitrofoska, Nitroammofoska (a better version), Diammofoska.
Many of these mixtures do not have a specific name; on sale they can be seen in packaging bags or bags with the inscription - nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer.
Application and dosage are always indicated on the package. It can also be abbreviated and numbers, such as, for example, in the feeding "AFC fertilizer brand 16:16:16."
Considering the advantages of using these fertilizers, it becomes clear that all three elements complement each other and work "in a team." Phosphorus will not be absorbed in the soil, if there is practically no nitrogen in it, as a result, the plant will be weak, and if there is no potassium, then the fruit will have no taste. Like it or not, such complex supplements are best used on a regular basis.
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What kind of fertilizer is ash: phosphorus, potash or nitrogen?
Separately, I would like to draw your attention to a universal, rich in valuable fertilizer elements - wood ash. What is this fertilizer? The answer is simple: ash is considered mainly potash fertilizer with a high content of calcium and phosphorus. Especially a lot of phosphorus in the ash of sunflower and buckwheat.
This top dressing is suitable for all types of soil, it will only be of benefit. You should know that only wood ash is suitable for fertilizing the plot! If some artificial materials (plastic, rubber, etc.) were accidentally present during the combustion process, then it is strictly forbidden to use such ash for the garden. In addition to about 30 various trace elements, it contains phosphorus, potassium and calcium, but there is no nitrogen in it.
A huge plus of ash is that it does not contain chlorine, which means that it is ideal for fertilizing chlorine-sensitive crops such as strawberries, raspberries, currants, grapes. For tender seedlings, it is also indispensable, for this it is pre-mixed with earth mixtures and then used for other purposes. The potassium content in the ash is quite high, and in the non-combustible residue of deciduous wood, potassium is much higher (14%), compared with conifers (6%).
Ash as a fertilizer, photo:
The combustion of young trees in the ash leaves much more valuable compounds than the old ones. Thus, due to the high concentration of potassium, ash can be considered potash fertilizer. All useful substances contained in its composition are very well absorbed by green crops. This is top-dressing with prolonged action, after application it continues to “work” and benefit the garden and orchard for a couple of years for sure. It can be used not only as a dry supplement, but also diluted in water. Ash is used for autumn digging, as well as in spring (more often).
You should know that ash should not be mixed with nitrogen fertilizing, superphosphate, poultry manure, manure, since in this case nitrogen will quickly evaporate and phosphorus will go into a form inaccessible to plants.
Of course, combining these elements will not benefit the garden and the garden (negative chemical reaction), but if you add them separately, observing the time interval, then everything will be fine. The so-called acceptable dosage of ash is 10 kg / 100 m².
Phosphorus fertilizers contain many additional elements in their composition. These substances are not always comfortably tolerated by plants, and it happens. Autumn application of these top dressings most favorably affects the quality of the soil, because during the winter they manage to be processed by the microorganisms living in it. During this process, the most useful components that enrich the soil are released from fertilizers.
In order for the garden and vegetable garden to please you with a healthy look and a generous harvest, apply these important top dressings - fertilizers, which contain phosphorus - in a timely manner. Always look at the shelf life of fertilizers - this is important, there will be no sense from an expired drug.
So that phosphorus fertilizers fully reveal their useful properties and give them to plants, do not overdo it with their quantity. Everything should be a measure, relevant information on the dosage is always indicated on the product packaging.