A Detailed Guide to the Latest Fertilization Methods and Techniques for Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are one of the vegetables we eat regularly, and they are widely grown in our country. They are a crop with a high fertilizer requirement and need different nutrients throughout their entire growth period. Only when grown in an environment with sufficient nutrients can they achieve a high yield. So how should kidney beans be fertilized? And what kind of fertilizer should be applied? Let's take a look at the detailed information below.
1. Nutrient Requirements
Kidney beans have a well-developed root system and grow best in loose, fertile, well-drained soil with good permeability. They are not tolerant of saline-alkaline soil or continuous cropping. Throughout their entire growth and development period, kidney beans need relatively large amounts of nitrogen and potassium fertilizer, but less phosphorus fertilizer. They have a high demand for nitrogen fertilizer, but their roots have a poor ability to fix nitrogen, so the supply of nitrogen must be ensured during planting to prevent poor growth caused by nitrogen deficiency. However, when nitrogen fertilizer is applied in excess, the number of flowers and pods will decrease. Potassium fertilizer is generally applied in the middle and late stages, while phosphorus fertilizer is generally applied in the early growth stage. Potassium fertilizer can make the pods of kidney beans expand, increase yield, and also prevent premature aging. In the late stage, a small amount of calcium, boron and molybdenum fertilizer also needs to be applied. Calcium fertilizer can improve disease resistance and prevent leaf drop, while boron and molybdenum can promote growth and development.
2. Fertilization Principles
When planting, some farmers do not have sufficient knowledge of fertilizers, and they cannot master scientific fertilization techniques when applying fertilizer. Below are the fertilization principles for kidney beans: base fertilizer as the main application and topdressing as a supplement, rational combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers with more organic fertilizer applied, rational combined use of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and supplementation of trace elements needed by the plants such as molybdenum, zinc and boron.
3. Apply Sufficient Base Fertilizer
Kidney beans have a relatively long growth period and need to absorb enough nutrients, so a sufficient nutrient supply must be ensured. The best method is to apply sufficient base fertilizer to the soil at planting time. Base fertilizer can not only promote the plants to sprout and branch as quickly as possible, but also continuously provide nutrition in the later stage, prevent kidney beans from dropping flowers, and help them increase flowering and fruiting. Generally, 3000-4000kg of organic fertilizer is applied per mu, combined with 50-60kg of compound fertilizer. It should be noted that the organic fertilizer must be fully decomposed, otherwise it will release a large amount of heat during decomposition, harming the root system of kidney beans, causing root burn, and in severe cases leading to plant death.
4. Rational Topdressing
After applying sufficient base fertilizer, generally only 3-4 topdressings are needed, mainly at the seedling stage, the rosette stage, and the flowering and podding stage. Topdressing methods are also divided into root fertilization and foliar spraying. At the seedling stage of kidney beans, topdressing is generally not needed, as the soil and base fertilizer are sufficient for their growth. However, when the soil nitrogen content is low, an appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be applied to ensure normal growth. At the rosette stage, in order to promote the growth of lateral roots and increase the number of flowers and pods, 10-15kg of nitrogen-potassium compound fertilizer can be added at this time. At the flowering and podding stage, after the pods have just formed, in order to promote vigorous plant growth, speed up pod growth and increase yield, 15-20 kg of high-concentration compound fertilizer is applied at this time. In addition, at the seedling stage, seedlings are very prone to nutrient deficiency symptoms, resulting in abnormal leaf color and growth conditions. At this time, 1.9% zinc sulfate solution can be sprayed 2-3 times. At the flowering and podding stage, a low-concentration ammonium molybdate solution can be sprayed, and at the flowering stage, a low-concentration urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution can be sprayed.
The above is all the content on how to fertilize kidney beans. We hope it can help you. To learn more about kidney bean cultivation, please stay tuned to us.