What are the correct methods for applying winter fertilizer to weak seedlings?

Plants cannot do without nutrients during their growth process, because basic base fertilizer cannot meet the needs of later growth, and appropriate topdressing is also necessary at ordinary times. Many people do not know what winter fertilizer is, and how should it be applied to relatively weak seedlings?

1. What is winter fertilizer?

So-called winter fertilizer is fertilizer applied to crops during the overwintering period. If the base fertilizer applied is insufficient, adding winter fertilizer has the following benefits: First, it strengthens the roots and stems and prevents freezing. Winter fertilizer has a very good effect on plant rooting, tiller preservation, seedling strengthening, and temperature increase, and it can also enhance the cold and freezing resistance of crops by increasing the sugar content in the crop body; second, apply in winter and use in spring. As the name implies, winter fertilizer is applied in winter, and by spring it can also provide sufficient nutrients for the crop's growth after the beginning of spring.

2. How should winter fertilizer be applied to weak seedlings?

1. Generally, fertilizer should be applied according to the fertility of the land

For land where sufficient base fertilizer has been applied to the soil and fertility is adequate, no fertilizer or only a small amount of fertilizer may be applied; for plots with little base fertilizer in the soil, poor fertility, and poor soil productivity, phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer may be added; where chemical fertilizers have been used for many years, organic fertilizer may be appropriately increased, but excessive fertilization should be avoided as much as possible; because sandy soil is washed by rainwater, fertilizer is easily lost, so fertilization should be done in small amounts and multiple times. In addition, fertilizers should also be chosen as dark in color as possible, as this helps increase soil temperature. For example, in winter, darker-colored fertilizers such as plant ash, peat fertilizer, and composted fertilizer can be chosen.

2. Selectively apply fertilizer according to the type of overwintering crop

For example, for rapeseed, barnyard manure can be mixed with phosphate fertilizer, piled and composted until rotted, and then applied. Fertilizer should be applied between the rows of the rapeseed field, and soil should be banked up to protect the roots, generally from December of each year to January of the following year. Early-maturing varieties should be fertilized earlier than late-maturing varieties. Phosphate fertilizer can improve the cold and freezing resistance of crops. The application of winter fertilizer to wheat is basically the same as for rapeseed, only the timing differs slightly, generally in mid-to-late December. For early wheat and strong seedlings, more coarse soil and miscellaneous fertilizer should be applied, while for late wheat and weak wheat, phosphate fertilizer can be added to the soil and miscellaneous fertilizer and applied together.

3. Apply fertilizer according to the growth condition of the crop

Do not apply winter fertilizer to plants with dense, deep green leaves and good growth; apply less winter fertilizer to those with green leaves; apply more fertilizer to those with yellow, weak leaves, especially crops sown too late, which should be given both slow-release fertilizer and quick-acting fertilizer.

4. Adjust fertilization according to the weather

If the temperature is relatively low, slow-acting fertilizers such as barnyard manure, ash fertilizer, compost, pond silt, and human and livestock manure and urine can be applied; when the temperature is relatively high, chemical fertilizers such as ammonium bicarbonate, urea, and ammonium chloride can be applied. It is best to apply fertilizer on sunny days, as this helps fertilizer decompose. Choosing ammonium bicarbonate as winter fertilizer is very good and is even more beneficial to crop growth.

Of course, when choosing winter fertilizer, organic fertilizer should still be chosen as the main type. And chemical fertilizers should be appropriately matched according to the type and growth condition of the crop. If the seedlings are relatively weak, human manure and urine and nitrogen fertilizer can be chosen as the main types; for relatively sturdy seedlings, pond silt and soil and miscellaneous fertilizer can be used, and cake fertilizer is also acceptable, but if it is relatively dry when applying, appropriate watering should be done to resist drought, using water to regulate fertilizer, so the effect will be better.