How to Improve Fertilizer Use Efficiency? Scientific Fertilization Methods Shared
How to Improve Fertilizer Use Efficiency
In production, we often hear many vegetable growers complain that the fertilizer applied in their greenhouses has no effect, and most conclude that it is a problem with the fertilizer. On closer consideration, this idea is actually quite one-sided. Through visits, the reporter found that low fertilizer use efficiency is the real crux of the problem.
Fertilizer use efficiency refers to the percentage of nutrient elements absorbed by the crop in the current season out of the total amount of fertilizer nutrient elements applied to the soil. The higher the fertilizer use efficiency, the smaller the fertilizer loss. Fertilizer use efficiency varies greatly depending on fertilizer ratios, soil conditions, and the strength of crop root absorption capacity.
In actual production, many vegetable growers overlook these key factors, resulting in low fertilizer use efficiency. Therefore, in this issue we discuss how to improve fertilizer use efficiency, for the reference of fellow vegetable growers. Key One: Reasonable Fertilizer Blending
When fertilizing, some vegetable growers only blindly apply large amounts of organic fertilizer without using chemical fertilizers. Others use only large-element fertilizers while neglecting medium and trace elements, causing nutritional imbalance in crops. This naturally results in very low fertilizer use efficiency, so improving fertilizer use efficiency must start with reasonable fertilizer blending.
First, base fertilizer should insist on the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Applying organic fertilizer alone means the available nutrients in the soil are far from sufficient to meet the crop's demand for various nutrients in the early growth stage, so while increasing organic fertilizer application, sufficient chemical fertilizer must also be applied. For example, for a newly built greenhouse, apply 15-20 cubic meters of chicken manure per mu, combined with 200-250 kg of compound fertilizer.
According to experimental tests, soil organic matter in plots using organic fertilizer combined with inorganic fertilizer can increase by 0.23-0.33% compared with using special chemical fertilizer alone, and the nitrogen content is also higher than using organic fertilizer alone. This shows that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can improve the soil's physical and chemical properties and enhance soil fertility.
Second, insist on the balanced use of large elements and medium and trace elements. At present, large elements can be supplemented through compound fertilizer or mixed fertilizer, such as Dutch Epsom compound fertilizer, Huafeng compound fertilizer, Batian compound fertilizer, etc., applied at 50-100 kg per mu.
Although trace elements are used in small amounts, they are essential for crop growth. Particular attention should be paid to the use of trace elements lacking in the local area. For example, the soil in Shouguang generally lacks boron and zinc, so when applying base fertilizer, 1-1.5 kg of borax mixed with 2-2.5 kg of zinc sulfate should be applied per mu.
Of course, the specific amount of fertilizer applied is best determined through soil testing, adjusting the reasonable amounts and ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and medium and trace elements according to the crop's fertilizer requirements, soil test results and fertilizer use efficiency, so that the crop receives comprehensive and reasonable nutrient supply, maximizing the crop's yield-increasing potential and improving economic benefits. Key Two: Maintain the Soil as a "Switchboard"
Fertilizer is applied to the soil, making the soil fertile, and roots grow deep into the fertile soil, drawing nutrients from the soil to supply the crop throughout its entire growth period. In this process, the soil plays the role of a "switchboard." Maintaining the soil as a "switchboard" and adjusting the soil environment to be favorable for crop nutrient absorption is also the prerequisite for good absorption and the key to improving fertilizer use efficiency. The reporter suggests doing the following three things well:
1. Do not forget to adjust soil temperature after fertilizing. The transformation of soil organic matter has a great relationship with temperature. When temperature is high, organic matter decomposes quickly; when temperature is low, organic matter decomposes slowly. When temperature is low, root water and fertilizer absorption significantly decreases. So when fertilizing, apply fertilizer according to temperature. The soil temperature most favorable for nutrient transformation in the soils of northern China is 27°C-32°C.
2. Maintain suitable soil moisture. Water present in soil capillary pores can dissolve and transport soil nutrients and can be directly absorbed and utilized by crops. But too much soil moisture will reduce soil oxygen content and affect crop root activity. Too little soil moisture is also unfavorable for root absorption. Under normal circumstances, greenhouse soil moisture content should be maintained at around 80%, and timely watering should be done according to soil moisture conditions.
3. Ensure soil aeration. Good soil aeration means strong root activity, so more nutrients in the soil will be absorbed. Conversely, root utilization of soil nutrients will be very low. So after vegetables are planted, hoe once every 3-5 days, and after each watering, hoe promptly. Generally, a hoeing depth of 3-5 cm is appropriate. Regardless of which crop season, never use flood irrigation when watering.
When covering with plastic film, be sure to prop it up with tools to prevent it from clinging tightly to the ground and affecting soil aeration.
Due to vegetable growers stepping on the soil for long periods during farming operations, the soil easily becomes compacted, with weak aeration, which is unfavorable for vegetable root extension. The best method is to cover a layer of crop straw between operation rows, which can both prevent the soil from being compacted and provide insulation and reduce humidity. Key Three: Cultivate Well-Developed Crop Roots
Only by cultivating well-developed crop roots can the crop's absorption capacity be enhanced and fertilizer use efficiency improved. Summarizing the experience of vegetable growers, the following root-nourishing and root-strengthening measures have good effects.
1. Deep plow the soil and apply heavy organic fertilizer.
For example, melon vegetables have a high fertilizer demand, so organic fertilizer with long-lasting fertilizer effect and complete nutrient content must be applied sufficiently. Deep plow the soil more than 30 cm, and apply 10-15 cubic meters of chicken and duck manure or 25-30 cubic meters of cattle, sheep and pig manure per mu. But organic fertilizer must be fully decomposed before use.
2. When planting, expose the root ball and apply bio-bacterial fertilizer in the hole.
The root systems of solanaceous vegetables have strong aerotropism and vigorous aerobic respiration, developing well in soil with high oxygen content, so the roots are distributed relatively shallowly, mostly within the 5-30 cm soil layer. Therefore, do not plant too deep when transplanting; exposing the root ball is beneficial for root development after planting.
Root diseases are one of the main problems in greenhouse melon and solanaceous vegetable production in recent years. Applying bio-bacterial fertilizer in the hole can use the method of suppressing bacteria with bacteria to prevent root diseases, while also promoting and nourishing roots, which is beneficial for vegetables to form strong root systems.
3. Protect the leaves. Roots depend on leaves for nourishment, so protecting the leaves is very important for the root system.
First, do not remove leaves excessively. Because the nutrients of leaves above the fruit mainly supply fruit growth, while the nutrients of leaves below the fruit mainly supply root growth. If removed too early, the root system will be weak, and the root system's ability to absorb fertilizer and water will decrease.
Second, according to the physiological needs of the crop at different stages and plant growth conditions, spray foliar fertilizer combined with pest and disease control to improve leaf photosynthetic efficiency and nourish roots through leaves. When young leaves turn yellow, spray iron-zinc foliar fertilizer. When old leaves turn yellow, spray cytokinin plus foliar fertilizer. Spray 300 times urea in the early stage and 500 times potassium dihydrogen phosphate in the later stage. Throughout the entire cultivation season, spray 6000 times Aiduoshou multiple times to nourish roots and strengthen plants.
4. Reasonable watering and topdressing. Traditional flood irrigation, in low ground temperature or clay soil, causes very obvious damage to crop roots. After one flood irrigation, phenomena such as reduction of capillary roots (white roots) and yellow leaves often occur. And these capillary roots are precisely the main organs for absorbing nutrients. So, water lightly under the film; if conditions permit, install a micro-sprinkler irrigation system to reduce damage to roots from watering.
In addition, a large crop season has a long growth period and high fertilizer demand, and relying only on base fertilizer is difficult to meet its continuous growth needs. Fertilizer deficiency will always appear in the later stage. You can, in the operation rows, after appropriate intertillage, spread a layer of fertilizer, which not only benefits the crop's nutrient supply but also benefits the growth of capillary roots.
5. Cover with plastic film late and carry out timely intertillage.
Generally, crop roots have strong aerotropism. After planting, timely intertillage can break soil compaction, improve soil aeration and promote root growth. Covering with plastic film late can promote deep root growth, improve plant stress resistance and prevent premature aging. Under normal circumstances, after vegetables are planted and recover from transplanting, it is appropriate to hoe 2-3 times in time to guide roots downward before covering with plastic film, that is, covering with plastic film about 15 days after vegetable planting is most appropriate.
6. When root damage occurs, to help the root system recover as early as possible, use 1000 times strong rooting agent plus 6000 times Aiduoshou to irrigate the roots, promoting root growth.
Only when the root system is strong will its ability to absorb water and fertilizer be enhanced, and only then will fertilization be effective.
Fertilizer use efficiency refers to the percentage of nutrient elements absorbed by the crop in the current season out of the total amount of fertilizer nutrient elements applied to the soil. The higher the fertilizer use efficiency, the smaller the fertilizer loss. Fertilizer use efficiency varies greatly depending on fertilizer ratios, soil conditions, and the strength of crop root absorption capacity.
In actual production, many vegetable growers overlook these key factors, resulting in low fertilizer use efficiency. Therefore, in this issue we discuss how to improve fertilizer use efficiency, for the reference of fellow vegetable growers. Key One: Reasonable Fertilizer Blending
When fertilizing, some vegetable growers only blindly apply large amounts of organic fertilizer without using chemical fertilizers. Others use only large-element fertilizers while neglecting medium and trace elements, causing nutritional imbalance in crops. This naturally results in very low fertilizer use efficiency, so improving fertilizer use efficiency must start with reasonable fertilizer blending.
First, base fertilizer should insist on the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Applying organic fertilizer alone means the available nutrients in the soil are far from sufficient to meet the crop's demand for various nutrients in the early growth stage, so while increasing organic fertilizer application, sufficient chemical fertilizer must also be applied. For example, for a newly built greenhouse, apply 15-20 cubic meters of chicken manure per mu, combined with 200-250 kg of compound fertilizer.
According to experimental tests, soil organic matter in plots using organic fertilizer combined with inorganic fertilizer can increase by 0.23-0.33% compared with using special chemical fertilizer alone, and the nitrogen content is also higher than using organic fertilizer alone. This shows that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can improve the soil's physical and chemical properties and enhance soil fertility.
Second, insist on the balanced use of large elements and medium and trace elements. At present, large elements can be supplemented through compound fertilizer or mixed fertilizer, such as Dutch Epsom compound fertilizer, Huafeng compound fertilizer, Batian compound fertilizer, etc., applied at 50-100 kg per mu.
Although trace elements are used in small amounts, they are essential for crop growth. Particular attention should be paid to the use of trace elements lacking in the local area. For example, the soil in Shouguang generally lacks boron and zinc, so when applying base fertilizer, 1-1.5 kg of borax mixed with 2-2.5 kg of zinc sulfate should be applied per mu.
Of course, the specific amount of fertilizer applied is best determined through soil testing, adjusting the reasonable amounts and ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and medium and trace elements according to the crop's fertilizer requirements, soil test results and fertilizer use efficiency, so that the crop receives comprehensive and reasonable nutrient supply, maximizing the crop's yield-increasing potential and improving economic benefits. Key Two: Maintain the Soil as a "Switchboard"
Fertilizer is applied to the soil, making the soil fertile, and roots grow deep into the fertile soil, drawing nutrients from the soil to supply the crop throughout its entire growth period. In this process, the soil plays the role of a "switchboard." Maintaining the soil as a "switchboard" and adjusting the soil environment to be favorable for crop nutrient absorption is also the prerequisite for good absorption and the key to improving fertilizer use efficiency. The reporter suggests doing the following three things well:
1. Do not forget to adjust soil temperature after fertilizing. The transformation of soil organic matter has a great relationship with temperature. When temperature is high, organic matter decomposes quickly; when temperature is low, organic matter decomposes slowly. When temperature is low, root water and fertilizer absorption significantly decreases. So when fertilizing, apply fertilizer according to temperature. The soil temperature most favorable for nutrient transformation in the soils of northern China is 27°C-32°C.
2. Maintain suitable soil moisture. Water present in soil capillary pores can dissolve and transport soil nutrients and can be directly absorbed and utilized by crops. But too much soil moisture will reduce soil oxygen content and affect crop root activity. Too little soil moisture is also unfavorable for root absorption. Under normal circumstances, greenhouse soil moisture content should be maintained at around 80%, and timely watering should be done according to soil moisture conditions.
3. Ensure soil aeration. Good soil aeration means strong root activity, so more nutrients in the soil will be absorbed. Conversely, root utilization of soil nutrients will be very low. So after vegetables are planted, hoe once every 3-5 days, and after each watering, hoe promptly. Generally, a hoeing depth of 3-5 cm is appropriate. Regardless of which crop season, never use flood irrigation when watering.
When covering with plastic film, be sure to prop it up with tools to prevent it from clinging tightly to the ground and affecting soil aeration.
Due to vegetable growers stepping on the soil for long periods during farming operations, the soil easily becomes compacted, with weak aeration, which is unfavorable for vegetable root extension. The best method is to cover a layer of crop straw between operation rows, which can both prevent the soil from being compacted and provide insulation and reduce humidity. Key Three: Cultivate Well-Developed Crop Roots
Only by cultivating well-developed crop roots can the crop's absorption capacity be enhanced and fertilizer use efficiency improved. Summarizing the experience of vegetable growers, the following root-nourishing and root-strengthening measures have good effects.
1. Deep plow the soil and apply heavy organic fertilizer.
For example, melon vegetables have a high fertilizer demand, so organic fertilizer with long-lasting fertilizer effect and complete nutrient content must be applied sufficiently. Deep plow the soil more than 30 cm, and apply 10-15 cubic meters of chicken and duck manure or 25-30 cubic meters of cattle, sheep and pig manure per mu. But organic fertilizer must be fully decomposed before use.
2. When planting, expose the root ball and apply bio-bacterial fertilizer in the hole.
The root systems of solanaceous vegetables have strong aerotropism and vigorous aerobic respiration, developing well in soil with high oxygen content, so the roots are distributed relatively shallowly, mostly within the 5-30 cm soil layer. Therefore, do not plant too deep when transplanting; exposing the root ball is beneficial for root development after planting.
Root diseases are one of the main problems in greenhouse melon and solanaceous vegetable production in recent years. Applying bio-bacterial fertilizer in the hole can use the method of suppressing bacteria with bacteria to prevent root diseases, while also promoting and nourishing roots, which is beneficial for vegetables to form strong root systems.
3. Protect the leaves. Roots depend on leaves for nourishment, so protecting the leaves is very important for the root system.
First, do not remove leaves excessively. Because the nutrients of leaves above the fruit mainly supply fruit growth, while the nutrients of leaves below the fruit mainly supply root growth. If removed too early, the root system will be weak, and the root system's ability to absorb fertilizer and water will decrease.
Second, according to the physiological needs of the crop at different stages and plant growth conditions, spray foliar fertilizer combined with pest and disease control to improve leaf photosynthetic efficiency and nourish roots through leaves. When young leaves turn yellow, spray iron-zinc foliar fertilizer. When old leaves turn yellow, spray cytokinin plus foliar fertilizer. Spray 300 times urea in the early stage and 500 times potassium dihydrogen phosphate in the later stage. Throughout the entire cultivation season, spray 6000 times Aiduoshou multiple times to nourish roots and strengthen plants.
4. Reasonable watering and topdressing. Traditional flood irrigation, in low ground temperature or clay soil, causes very obvious damage to crop roots. After one flood irrigation, phenomena such as reduction of capillary roots (white roots) and yellow leaves often occur. And these capillary roots are precisely the main organs for absorbing nutrients. So, water lightly under the film; if conditions permit, install a micro-sprinkler irrigation system to reduce damage to roots from watering.
In addition, a large crop season has a long growth period and high fertilizer demand, and relying only on base fertilizer is difficult to meet its continuous growth needs. Fertilizer deficiency will always appear in the later stage. You can, in the operation rows, after appropriate intertillage, spread a layer of fertilizer, which not only benefits the crop's nutrient supply but also benefits the growth of capillary roots.
5. Cover with plastic film late and carry out timely intertillage.
Generally, crop roots have strong aerotropism. After planting, timely intertillage can break soil compaction, improve soil aeration and promote root growth. Covering with plastic film late can promote deep root growth, improve plant stress resistance and prevent premature aging. Under normal circumstances, after vegetables are planted and recover from transplanting, it is appropriate to hoe 2-3 times in time to guide roots downward before covering with plastic film, that is, covering with plastic film about 15 days after vegetable planting is most appropriate.
6. When root damage occurs, to help the root system recover as early as possible, use 1000 times strong rooting agent plus 6000 times Aiduoshou to irrigate the roots, promoting root growth.
Only when the root system is strong will its ability to absorb water and fertilizer be enhanced, and only then will fertilization be effective.