Basics of Using Certain Fertilizers

Mineral Fertilizers

Everyone knows that various fertilizers, both mineral and organic, are introduced into soil to increase its fertility.
Today the market offers a huge variety of products for mineral soil enrichment. Science continually studies and invents new and new combinations of mineral components, such as potassium, phosphorus, ammonia, and other elements.
Different mixtures are used for different soil types and specific climate conditions. As a rule, such mixtures are based on the simplest fertilizer compositions, devised as far back as the last century.

Mineral fertilizers

Let’s look at the main types of mineral fertilizers:

Nitrogen Fertilizers:

Ammonium sulfate — colorless crystals. Highly soluble in water. Registered as food additive E517.
Recommended for use with crops:
– with a higher sulfur requirement (crucifers (cabbage), wheat, buckwheat, rapeseed)
– that prefer the ammonium form of nitrogen (fodder crops, potatoes, sugar beet)
– that grow better in slightly acidic soil (tea, flax, turnip, pumpkin, etc.)
For even distribution of ammonium sulfate across a field, it is recommended to apply it in spring before sowing. Top-dressing is also effective. It can be added to liquid nitrogen fertilizer solutions.

Ammonium chloride — white crystals. A nitrogen fertilizer. Highly soluble in water. Not recommended for potatoes, flax, tobacco, grapes, buckwheat, citrus, fruit and berry crops, and vegetables. For grain crops, ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride are equivalent.

Carbamide (urea) — a solid nitrogen fertilizer. Produced as white granules that dissolve well in water. Used for all types of crops on all soils. Applied in the pre-sowing period, used for basal and localized application, and for top-dressing.

Ammonia water — a liquid nitrogen fertilizer with a yellowish color and a specific odor. Used for all agricultural crops, as well as for drip irrigation.

Phosphate Fertilizers:

Superphosphates (water-soluble) — simple and double — and phosphate rock flour (poorly soluble).
Salts of phosphoric acid.

Potassium Fertilizers:

Potassium chloride and potassium salt. Highly soluble in water. On sandy soils, the need for this type of fertilizer is greater than on clay soils. Due to possible potassium leaching, it is not recommended to apply this fertilizer in autumn.
Potassium increases the sugar and vitamin content of the product.

Potassium sulfate — a chlorine-free potassium fertilizer. Colorless crystals. Especially suitable for potatoes and legumes (beans, peas), and crucifers (cabbage, radish, etc.). Most effective on potassium-depleted soils — podzolic and peat soils. All application methods are used. More effective when used together with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers.

Magnesium Fertilizers:

Magnesium sulfate — a sulfur-containing magnesium fertilizer. Increases yield and improves the taste qualities of vegetables and potatoes. Applied in spring together with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. Magnesium deficiency is especially likely in acidic soils. Top-dressing is possible throughout the entire growing season.

Complex Fertilizers:

Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) — a granulated fertilizer, ranging in color from white with a yellowish tint to dark gray (in Europe, black is used, since other colors are eaten by local bird species, leading to their death). Used for all types of crops on any soil. Most effective on acidic soils, since phosphorus fully converts into a form that is effectively absorbed by the plant.

Monoammonium phosphate — a nitrogen-phosphorus granulated fertilizer. Used in protected cultivation (greenhouses). Serves as the basis for bulk blends. Used on all soils for all types of crops.

Monopotassium phosphate — a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. Used for foliar feeding and nutrigation (what is that?). With leaf top-dressing (optimally in the morning or evening) and fertigation (mainly as a phosphorus source), maximum phosphorus absorption is ensured. It prevents powdery mildew.

Micro-fertilizers:

Mineral micro-fertilizers supply the plant with trace elements that are needed in small amounts for its normal development.

Boric acid — a white crystalline powder. Used for pre-sowing seed treatment and for spraying plants. Effective against ants.

Articles answering the questions “What is a Fungicide?” and “What is a Herbicide?“.
Overview article on Chemistry in Agriculture.

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