Types of fertilizers to be applied to fields

Fertilizing fields is the main way to fertilize plants and increase land fertility. Which fertilizers to use for a particular field are determined, taking into account the lack of macro- and microelements in the soil. In addition, the type of fertilizer, its quantity (depending on which types of plants are grown) and the time of application to the field are important. It is taken into account that the right choice of top dressing plays a significant role in obtaining a good harvest.

What are fertilizers

Fertilizers are understood to be substances that nourish plants and increase the fertility of lands. Fertilizers give crops the missing chemical components that contribute to their growth and excellent yield.

In agriculture, certain rules should be followed to achieve the desired effect of top dressing. For example, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the soil: starting from its mechanical composition, fertility – ending with the amount of nutrients in the soil.

There are simple and complex (complex) fertilizers. Simple ones consist of one nutritional component, complex ones consist of two or more components. According to the aggregate state, solid (powder, granules) and liquid top dressing are distinguished.

If we consider fertilizers according to their agrochemical effect, they can be direct – containing nutritional components and thereby promoting plant growth, and indirect – aimed at changing soil properties for the better.

The top dressing used for application to the fields is divided into: mineral, organic, micro fertilizers, organomineral. The timing and technology of application depend on a number of factors: the type of soil and fertilizers, climatic conditions of the region, etc.

Mineral fertilizers are understood as inorganic compounds containing the nutrients necessary for plants – various mineral salts. The main top dressing for fields from this category are: phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and complex.

Advantages of mineral fertilizers

Compositions are popular for many reasons

• ease of use;
• low temperature resistance provides the ability to apply to fields even in cold and frosts;
• regulate the chemical composition of the soil;
• protect plants from harmful insects and diseases;
• the relatively low cost of top dressing.

Types of fertilizers

Phosphorus fertilizers are often used by farmers, because phosphorus has a great effect on plant growth, helps accelerate their maturation, gives a good appearance and, most importantly, increases crop yields. In addition, the main substance of the top dressing can increase the resistance of agricultural plants to cold and drought. A lack of phosphorus can lead to poor plant development, and sometimes even to a lack of flowering. Excess phosphorus is rare and does not cause harm. Since phosphorus is sedentary in the ground, top dressing with it has been applied to the fields since autumn.

Potash fertilizers have a positive effect on plant resistance to diseases, in addition, they contribute to good crop preservation. Such fertilizers are made from natural deposits of potassium salts. Such fertilizers can be classified into: potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, kalimagnesia and potassium salt. Top dressing with potassium is well soluble in water, in addition, when applied to fields, it is perfectly dissolved by soil moisture and enters into metabolic reactions. If the fields have sandy and sandy loam soils, then fertilizers are applied annually in the spring. Top dressing containing chlorine (potassium chloride, potassium salt) should preferably be applied to fields in autumn, for cultivation or plowing, so that chlorine does not wash out of the soil by spring.

It is advisable to apply potash fertilizers to fields in autumn, for cultivation or plowing. For fields with acidic soil, potassium chloride is perfect, in regions with a small amount of precipitation, potassium sulfate is good to use, and in areas with an excess of rain, potassium chloride. For optimal results, it is better to apply potash fertilizers to the fields in small portions.

Nitrogen fertilizers are widely used for fertilizing fields. The main component of such fertilizers is nitrogen, which occupies an important place in metabolism and the construction of plant cells. As a result, it has a positive effect on crop yields. In addition, it contributes to the better quality of plant fruits.

Ammonia fertilizers contain a higher concentration and have a lower price. Therefore, they are often used for fertilizing crops. Their main disadvantage can be considered an increase in the acidity of the fields, but this can be easily eliminated by liming.

Nitrogen fertilizers dissolve well in water and quickly enter the root system of plants. The main advantage of fertilizing with nitrogen is that they are effective on all types of soils. It is better to apply the product to sandy fields in spring, to clay fields – in autumn for digging. It is necessary to apply top dressing on moist ground, shallowly.

The lack of nitrogen in the soil may be indicated by the slow growth of agricultural crops, their small leaves with pale color. An overabundance of nitrogen has a negative effect on the environment. Therefore, when applying nitrogen-containing fertilizers to the fields, you should strictly follow the instructions for them, observe the necessary dosage norms.

Nitrogen fertilizers are divided into groups: ammonia, nitrate, and amide. But some products may have two groups in their composition (for example: ammonium nitrate).

Complex fertilizers are very popular among farmers, because they contain two or more useful substances. There are such products: nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium, nitrogen-phosphorus, nitrogen-potassium. Such fertilizers are applied to fields in spring and summer. If there is no nitrogen in the products, then fertilizers can be applied in autumn. Complex fertilizers for top dressing are used during the growing season. When using such fertilizers, it is necessary to take into account the type of crop and the composition of the soil, as well as observe the dosage norms.

Organic fertilizers

Plus, organic compounds have a high concentration of useful elements. Fertilizers are of natural origin, and peat, manure, and compost are usually used for application to fields.

Peat is one of the best organic top dressing. During the rotting of vegetation, useful substances are preserved in it, and its long-term systemic use can completely restore the disturbed soil structure.

Cow manure is not considered to be rich enough in nutrients, so it is recommended to apply it in large quantities, as for bird manure, it contains a large amount of nutrients.

Compost helps to increase the yield of plants, its preparation period is about eight months. It is recommended to apply top dressing to the plots together with fungicides in order to kill pathogenic bacteria that may be in it.

Advantages of organic fertilizers

1. They actively affect the growth of agricultural crops.
2. Safe for people and the environment.
3. They help to increase yields.
4. Systemic use enriches the soil with useful elements.
5. They are able to regulate the acidity of the soil.
6. The use of organics increases the water permeability of the soil.

Micronutrients are products containing trace elements in their composition. That is, agricultural crops consume little of these nutrients, but effectively. This type of top dressing is an excellent addition to mineral and organic fertilizers. Micro-fertilizers reduce the risk of nutrient deficiency and are able to increase crop yields while maintaining product quality. It is worth noting that complex fertilizers usually already have trace elements in their composition.

The role of organomineral fertilizing

A large fertilizer market includes organomineral fertilizers: peat ammonia, humophos, sodium humates and others. They are a combination of beneficial properties of organic and mineral fertilizers. During production, some properties of organic products are activated due to mineral additives. Organomineral fertilizers are available in granular and liquid forms.

The main advantages of organomineral fertilizers are:

they are rich in nutrients compared to organic fertilizers;

more effective than mineral fertilizers;

favorably affect the resistance of plants to adverse weather conditions and certain diseases;

increase the number of useful elements available to plants in the mail;

the basis of fertilizers is organic;

application improves soil structure;

the systematic use of such top dressing leads to an increase in the microbiological activity of the soil;

due to the gradual release of nutrients from the granules, the needs of plants for nutrients are gradually satisfied, which increases the duration of fertilization, including all periods of plant development, so there is no need to feed agricultural crops often;

the digestibility of useful elements by plants is 91-95

improve the quality of cultivated crops;

the granular forms of the product have good flowability, they are convenient to store and bring to the fields in a mechanized way;

the use of such top dressing allows you to reduce, and with regular use, remove soil salinity, provides a good water-air regime, increases the amount of humus, reduces the harmful effects of chemicals, pesticides, radionuclides;

They are an excellent complex nutrient.