What are the precautions for applying zinc fertilizer to vegetables
Zinc is one of the essential trace elements in the growth and development of vegetables. Many vegetables show obvious yield increases after using zinc fertilizer. For example, tomatoes, Chinese cabbage, eggplants and legume vegetables all show improved yield and quality after zinc fertilizer application. However, although vegetables need zinc supplementation, this does not mean the more zinc the better. When applying zinc fertilizer, several points must be noted. Let's take a look below.
1. Do not apply excessively
The reason zinc fertilizer is a micronutrient fertilizer is that crops need only a small amount of it. Excessive application can also cause toxic effects. Many vegetable growers misuse zinc fertilizer indiscriminately, applying enough zinc fertilizer in the base fertilizer, and then frequently supplementing with zinc fertilizer later. Doing so will only cause vegetables to grow slowly or even stop growing, and will also cause leaves to be small and thin, affecting normal photosynthesis, resulting in low yield and quality. Some even lose their commercial value, causing great losses.
2. Do not apply continuously in the base fertilizer
When zinc fertilizer is used as a base fertilizer, its effective period is generally very long. A single application can last 1-2 years. Except for plots severely deficient in zinc, it is generally recommended to apply it only once a year. However, in actual production, many vegetable growers often apply it once when preparing the land and again when transplanting, resulting in two consecutive applications of zinc fertilizer within one year. This causes excessive zinc fertilizer in the soil, thereby inhibiting the roots' absorption of other elements, and during the growing period it causes deficiencies of other elements, affecting yield and quality.
3. Do not mix with alkaline fertilizers or pesticides
When zinc is mixed with alkaline fertilizers, its fertilizer efficiency is reduced due to chemical reactions. Similarly, when mixed with alkaline pesticides, the effective period of the zinc fertilizer is also reduced along with the pesticide's efficacy. For example, when zinc fertilizer is mixed with phosphate fertilizer, zinc phosphate precipitate is easily formed. This not only reduces the effectiveness of zinc but also reduces the fertilizer efficiency of the phosphate fertilizer, so it is important to note that the two must not be used at the same time.
4. Pay attention to the application rate
When zinc fertilizer is applied as a base fertilizer, depending on the degree of soil zinc deficiency, applying 0.5-2 kg of zinc sulfate per mu is sufficient; do not apply too much. When used as a top dressing, applying 0.75-1 kg per mu is sufficient, and it should be mixed with fine soil before broadcasting. If applied as a foliar spray, dilute 90-180 g of zinc sulfate with water per mu, and choose a sunny day to spray. Pay attention to the concentration, and when using it, it is best to use it alone to avoid reactions with other pesticides or fertilizers, which would reduce the crop's absorption and utilization of zinc.
The above is an introduction to the precautions for applying zinc fertilizer to vegetables. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.