Latest summary of precautions for using flushing fertilizer on vegetables

Flushing fertilizer is a topdressing method that provides supplementary nutrients during the rapid growth period of crops. It is mainly used for topdressing vegetables during their vigorous growing season and is widely used in greenhouse cultivation and open-field cultivation. Because flushing fertilizer has a relatively fast effect, generally showing results only a few days after application, it has been widely adopted for many years. However, improper flushing fertilization can cause vegetable growth problems, so we need to pay attention to some issues when applying flushing fertilizer.

1. Correctly choose the type of flushing fertilizer

There are many types of fertilizers, but not all fertilizers are suitable for flushing application. Among nitrogen fertilizers, commonly used ones include urea, ammonia water, ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate; among potassium fertilizers, there are potassium chloride, potassium sulfate or potassium nitrate. It should be noted that even water-soluble monoammonium phosphate and diammonium phosphate should not be applied by flushing, because phosphorus fertilizer has poor mobility after dissolving and is very easily fixed, and cannot infiltrate the soil layer with water, so its best application method is layered application into the soil layer, which can improve its fertilizer use efficiency.

2. The amount of flushing fertilizer per application should be kept minimal

The amount of flushing fertilizer should also be properly controlled, and the amount must not be increased arbitrarily. In high-yield vegetable cultivation, the amount of pure nitrogen applied each time should be controlled at 2-3 kg per mu, especially nitrate nitrogen, which must be controlled below 2-3 kg per mu; the amount of potassium fertilizer for a limited number of applications is generally controlled at 2-3 kg per mu. Otherwise, nutrient waste and loss will be relatively large, which not only reduces the use efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer but may also cause water pollution. Flushing fertilization throughout the whole growth period is generally suitable 2 times; too many applications will have adverse effects on the normal growth of vegetables.

3. Timing of flushing fertilizer

The timing of flushing fertilizer should be grasped properly. For example, fruit vegetables should be treated after the full fruiting stage and after harvest, while Chinese cabbage is suitable for treatment during the heading stage. In autumn vegetable cultivation, it is advisable to choose a time when the temperature drops and soil mineralization decreases, while the vegetables are in a period of substantial growth.

4. Control of irrigation volume

In border irrigation, avoid flood irrigation; in canal irrigation, the ditch depth and water volume should be appropriate to prevent nutrients dissolved in the water from being lost with the water. Many farmers like this topdressing method. When used well, it is very effective, but if it is only for the sake of superficial results, regardless of cost, one-sidedly applying large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer and abusing flushing fertilizer, it will cause vegetable interplanting, decline in quality, reduced fertilizer use efficiency, and intensified soil salinization.

The above is an introduction to the precautions for using flushing fertilizer on vegetables. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.