How do you choose a compound fertilizer so that you buy a good-quality one?
There are so many fertilizer products nowadays - how can you buy a good compound fertilizer? Years ago, a saying circulated in rural areas: "First you rely on policy, second on the weather; to raise grain output you rely on diammonium." As grain yields rose, potassium deficiency in the soil began to show, and farmers now choose three-element or multi-element compound fertilizers more often. One...
There are so many fertilizer products nowadays - how can you buy a good compound fertilizer?
Years ago, a saying circulated in rural areas: "First you rely on policy, second on the weather; to raise grain output you rely on diammonium." As grain yields rose, potassium deficiency in the soil began to show, and farmers now choose three-element or multi-element compound fertilizers more often.
I. Development trends of compound fertilizers
Compound fertilizer development has three major trends: First, multi-variety specialization - different crops have different special-purpose fertilizers, and special-purpose fertilizers are developed and produced according to the nutrient uptake patterns and uptake amounts of crop growth and development. When choosing a compound fertilizer, farmers should select the corresponding special-purpose fertilizer for different crops. If it is not specialized, it goes against the crop's nutrient uptake patterns, the crop's yield-increasing potential cannot be brought into play, and at the same time some nutrient elements are wasted. Second, multi-function and pesticide integration - combining pesticides and chemical fertilizers together removes the need for seed dressing with chemicals; one application both ensures the nutrients the crop needs and controls soil pests and seedling-stage pests, achieving multiple effects. Third, high concentration and long-lasting effect - with the development of agricultural production, high-concentration, long-lasting compound fertilizers are increasingly welcomed by farmers. The application of this type of fertilizer reduces the amount applied, makes cultivation easier, removes the need for topdressing, lightens labor, raises fertilizer use efficiency, and saves labor, effort and time while improving quality and increasing efficiency.
II. How to choose a compound fertilizer
1. Look at the packaging. Qualified products have double-layer packaging, which prevents moisture and dampness. The outer surface of the packaging bears three certificate numbers: namely the production license number, the business license number, and the product quality qualification registration certificate number; it states the content of the three major nutrient elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; and it has the manufacturer, address, etc. After opening the outer packaging, there must be a product instruction manual inside the bag.
2. Look at the physical properties of the compound fertilizer. A good-quality compound fertilizer has uniform, consistent granule size, does not cake, and does not crumble into powder.
3. Buy compound fertilizer produced by a regular manufacturer. Regular manufacturers have relatively advanced production equipment and production technology, and the products they turn out have uniform granules, balanced nutrients and stable quality. Their product formulas are all developed through long-term trials by experts according to soil nutrient conditions and the fertilizer requirements of crops, with scientific and reasonable formulas, strong targeting, complete nutrients and sufficient content.
4. Choose a compound fertilizer suited to local production. Most compound fertilizers produced locally are made according to the soil nutrient content of the local and surrounding areas, the nutrient requirement patterns of crops and fertilizer effects, and are strongly targeted. Some farmers blindly buy compound fertilizers not suited to local use, which not only affects crop growth and development and wastes individual nutrient elements, but also affects yield.
5. Avoid using "double-chloride" compound fertilizer year after year. "Double-chloride" compound fertilizer is a compound fertilizer produced with ammonium chloride and potassium chloride as raw materials, in which the chloride ion content is high. Chloride ions are a trace element needed for crop growth; an appropriate amount can promote crop growth, while an excessive amount can cause fertilizer damage. If "double-chloride" compound fertilizer is applied year after year, the amount of chloride ions remaining in the soil is large; excessive uptake by crops will cause "chloride damage," and the soil will also suffer "salt damage."
III. How to apply compound fertilizer
Compound fertilizer is generally applied as a base fertilizer. Base application methods include applying it when preparing the land before sowing, applying it in one line as seed fertilizer, and applying it as seed fertilizer in two lines, that is, side-deep placement. At present, for compound fertilizers, especially long-lasting compound fertilizers, side-deep placement gives the best results. The position for side-deep placement generally needs to reach a fertilizer-to-seed side distance and depth of 5-7 cm. Side-deep placement achieves separation of seed and fertilizer, avoiding burning of seeds and seedlings.
More compound fertilizer application techniques