What are the common mistakes in fertilizer application? These errors should be avoided

There are many different types of fertilizer on the market today, and choosing the right fertilizer is not easy for farmers. Because many farmers do not understand fertilization methods, they often fall into mistakes when applying fertilizer, which not only wastes fertilizer but also has the opposite effect. Let's take a look below, together with the editor, at the common mistakes in fertilizer application.

1. Using calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer as a top dressing

Calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer does not dissolve easily in water, and its fertilizer effect is relatively slow, so it is not suitable for use as a top dressing, especially as a top dressing after the middle growth stage of crops. Doing so results in low fertilizer use efficiency and relatively poor results. The correct way to apply calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer is as a base fertilizer mixed with organic fertilizer, or as a seed dressing fertilizer, so that it can produce its greatest effect.

2. Applying nitrogen fertilizer shallowly or by broadcasting

The nitrogen fertilizers we commonly use include urea, ammonium bicarbonate and others. They have a relatively high nitrogen content. After being applied to the soil, apart from a small amount being directly absorbed and used by plants, most must be decomposed by microorganisms and converted into ammonium nitrogen before it can be absorbed and used by crops. In addition, ammonium bicarbonate is unstable in nature. If applied shallowly, the fertilizer use efficiency is low. Moreover, shallow application of nitrogen fertilizer involves a large amount, and when the concentration is too high, the ammonia gas it volatilizes can scorch the stems and leaves of crops, causing fertilizer damage.

3. Mixing superphosphate directly with seeds

Many farmers like to mix superphosphate directly with seeds. This is a wrong practice. Superphosphate contains 3.5%-5% free acid and is highly corrosive. Mixing it directly with seeds will reduce the germination rate and emergence rate of the seeds. Its correct use is as a top dressing, and it should be applied deeply in furrows. When used as a seed fertilizer, apply it 5-6 cm below or beside the seeds, and use soil to separate the fertilizer from the seeds, avoiding direct contact between fertilizer and seeds, so as to prevent burning the seeds and causing them to rot.

4. Applying zinc fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer together

There is a serious “antagonistic effect” between zinc fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer. If they are applied together, the fertilizer effect of zinc fertilizer will be reduced, causing unnecessary waste. Therefore, when fertilizing, zinc fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer should be applied separately. Apply them separately as base fertilizer and seedling fertilizer, which can improve the fertilizer efficiency of phosphate and zinc fertilizers.

5. Dissolving borax with cold water

When spraying borax foliar fertilizer, many farmers use cold water to dissolve borax. This causes the borax to quickly recrystallize and lose its fertilizer effect. Therefore, before application, generally put the borax into a thermos bottle, add boiling water to dissolve it, cap the bottle tightly and take it to the field, then add cold water to the required concentration. This can greatly improve the effect.

The above is an introduction to common mistakes in fertilizer application. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.