How to use compound fertilizer? Master the best methods of application
Compound fertilizer is a very familiar fertilizer for many growers. During planting and production, compound fertilizer is key to ensuring normal crop growth and increasing yields. Compound fertilizer contains many nutrient elements, such as the common macroelements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. So how should we use compound fertilizer? Today, the editor brings you the best methods of using compound fertilizer. Let's take a look below!
1. Used as base fertilizer
The fertilizer effect of compound fertilizer lasts for a very long time, so many people choose to use compound fertilizer as a base fertilizer. This is especially true when planting some short-season vegetables. This is mainly because many crops are relatively sensitive to changes in nutrients during the early stage of growth, and compound fertilizer also contains large amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Moreover, controlled-release compound fertilizers are generally based on coating technology. Compared with straight fertilizers, their decomposition rate is not fast, nutrient loss is not great, and they have a very high utilization rate, so they are very suitable as a base fertilizer.
2. Used as topdressing
Compound fertilizer is also used by many people when topdressing. Topdressing with compound fertilizer is mainly used when compound fertilizer was not mixed into the base fertilizer. Generally, when the crops break through the soil and emerge, furrows are opened for topdressing, and then the soil is covered after fertilization. However, be sure to control the dosage well to avoid fertilizer waste. Moreover, in general, compound fertilizer is actually not recommended for use as topdressing. This is because topdressing can easily lead to waste of elements such as phosphorus and potassium, since if compound fertilizer powder is spread on the soil surface, its fertilizer effect is not obvious, and its utilization rate is far lower than that of base fertilizer.
3. Used as seed fertilizer
Compound fertilizer can also be used as a seed fertilizer. When using it as a seed fertilizer, note that it must not be mixed with the seeds, and also be sure to control the concentration well. Remember that the concentration must not be too high. If compound fertilizer with a relatively high concentration is used as a seed fertilizer, it can very easily burn the seeds and cause seedling burn. Therefore, when using it as a seed fertilizer, we should pay attention to keeping the seeds and fertilizer separate. When sowing, first place the seeds in the holes, then apply the compound fertilizer. The distance between the compound fertilizer and the seeds should be kept at about 6-8 cm to avoid fertilizer damage from being too close.
4. Apply deeply and cover with soil
When applying compound fertilizer, the nitrogen element is easily lost through rainwater washing, and its volatilization rate is relatively high, while the phosphorus and potassium elements are also very easily fixed. Moreover, if it is applied on the soil surface, it is also very unfavorable for absorption by crop roots. In addition, if the soil is dry, the fertilizer dissolves extremely slowly, causing the fertilizer effect to decline. Therefore, when applying compound fertilizer, try not to spread the fertilizer on the surface, and mainly apply it deeply and cover it with soil.
The above is a brief introduction to the best methods of using compound fertilizer. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!