Nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer application rate. Plant nutrition and fertilizers
organic fertilizers FertilizationPlant nutrition and fertilizers
Fertilizers are used to regularly collect high yields. good quality. At the same time, fruit
Trees and shrubs, for example, with a lack of fertilizers in the soil, use the accumulated elements from their wood and roots, so the lack of certain substances does not appear immediately in them (see Fig. Nutrient deficiency symptoms ).
Fertilizers are divided into organic and mineral. Mineral fertilizers, in turn, contain macronutrients or micronutrients.
For the successful application of fertilizers, it is necessary to know the need of each plant for certain nutrients. For example, black currant and sea buckthorn need increased phosphorus nutrition, gooseberry and Red currants - in potassium, raspberry- in nitrogen and potash fertilizers. indicator plants can help determine soil nutrient content.
The effectiveness of the applied fertilizers is significantly increased by the right liming acidic soils .
Plants require a wide range of chemicals to live. These are oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) contained in water, carbon (C) absorbed by leaves from the air. In addition, the soil contains the necessary macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe). And trace elements: manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, aluminum ... The main method of introducing microelements is foliar top dressing.
The lack of even one element leads to a violation of plant metabolism and cannot be compensated by an excess of other elements.
The growth and development of plants is carried out in accordance with the law of the minimum, i.e. the plant grows and develops as long as it has enough of the deficient element (or factor) contained in minimum quantity compared to other batteries.
Improper use of fertilizers leads to an increase in nitrates in vegetables and fruits!
For growth and fruiting, the plant needs: light, air, water and nutrition.
The main plant nutrients are the macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium..
Nitrogen participates in the regulation of plant growth and fruiting. The lack of nitrogen quickly and noticeably affects growth arrest. The introduction of nitrogen fertilizers immediately affects the growth of the green mass of the plant. An excess of nitrogen fertilizers leads to the accumulation nitrates in plants, poor fruit quality, delayed growth and ripening of shoots perennials, and as a result, to their poor winter hardiness (nitrogen fertilizers are not applied under perennials in the second half of the growing season). With excessive nitrogen application, the plant "goes to the tops". Most nitrogen fertilizers are easily washed out of the soil, so they are applied before sowing (spring). These include various saltpeters, urea, ammonium sulfate.
Phosphorus- one of the main elements of plant nutrition. Enhanced phosphate nutrition of plants in the early phases of their life accelerates their development. Phosphate fertilizers enhance the growth of the root system of plants. With a balanced diet of other elements, phosphorus accelerates the entry of the plant into the reproductive phase, that is, it stimulates the entry into fruiting. Increased resistance of plants to unfavorable factors (low temperatures, droughts). An excess of phosphorus prevents the entry of zinc into plants and is accompanied symptoms zinc deficiency. Phosphate fertilizers include phosphate rock, simple superphosphate, double superphosphate, potassium monophosphate.
Potassium- the most important element of plant nutrition, ensures their resistance to stress (overabundance or lack of moisture, high or low temperatures, salt concentration). Optimal potassium nutrition contributes to better maturation and increase in winter hardiness of shoot buds, wood of perennial plants, increases resistance to fungal and bacterial diseases, improves the quality of the crop, increases its keeping quality. Potash fertilizers: potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium salt, ash (a glass of ash replaces 40 g of potassium sulfate).
Calcium- a nutrient necessary for normal metabolism in plants. Calcium in plants must be in balance with potassium, magnesium and boron.
Magnesium- an element found in the growing organs of plants. Magnesium deficiency more common on sandy and sandy soils, especially in wet years.
The growth-stimulating effect of yeast infusion on plants has long been noticed. After watering the soil with yeast extract, the activity of microorganisms greatly increases, so that the application of 1% (10 g of water per 1 liter of water) yeast infusion into the soil is comparable to the application of a standard seasonal dose of a full complex fertilizer.
With the development of industry and Agriculture mineral composition the soil is gradually depleted, and the plants still need nutrients. Organic and mineral supplements, such as phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, help to enrich and saturate the soil with useful substances, protect trees and plants from pests, and improve immunity.
1 Mineral fertilizers - types and composition
All gardeners are aware of the need to use fertilizers, but they do not always understand the correctness and expediency of their use. After all, the composition of the soil, its saturation with certain nutrients and, as a result, the health and development of plants grown on it depend on this. Fertilizers can be divided into the following groups:
- organic;
- mineral;
- organomineral;
- bacterial and microfertilizers.
In turn, all of them are classified into: simple (single-component); complex (two- or three-component); complex-mixed (up to three chemical compounds in one granule) and mixed (in the form of a mixture of dry monosyllabic elements). Consider phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, the types of which are few, but very productive.
2 Application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers
Phosphorus regulates the processes of respiration and nutrition of plants, is responsible for the degree of energy accumulated in them. The degree of flowering and the abundance of fruits depend on this microelement. Potassium actively affects the biochemical parameters and the level of chlorophyll in the composition of green spaces. Simultaneously acting in different directions, potassium phosphates enhance the germination of seed material, strengthen flower buds and fruits, increase the content of sugars and carbohydrates in root crops, increase productivity.
The following types of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are in the greatest demand on the market: nitrophoska (12% potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus each) and nitroammophoska (P, N, K 17% each and S 2%); diammofoska (potassium and phosphorus 12% each) and nitrophos (K 11%, P 16%). The first two types are widely used for fruit trees, horticultural crops and flowers. Outwardly, these are gray granules with a pink tint. Minerals, thanks to a special formula, are completely absorbed by plants.
It is recommended to use them as a main fertilizer and during the summer for additional feeding. The consumption rate is 40–60 g per square meter. For flowers, diammophos and nitrophos are best suited. They contain additional impurities of iron, magnesium, zinc and sulfur, which accelerate growth. ornamental plants and increasing flowering time. No more than 30 g of fertilizer per 1 m 2 is used.
3 Monophosphate potassium supplements
Increasingly, gardeners and gardeners are choosing new generation fertilizers containing only phosphorus and potassium. The absence of nitrogenous compounds favorably affects the reduction of soil salinity, because a number of shrubs, such as raspberries, negatively perceive nitrates. Such fertilizers include the potassium-phosphorus mixture "Autumn". It most effectively affects the soil when mulching the soil before frost, due to the large specific gravity the potassium component.
It is recommended to apply 30–60 g per square meter. To strengthen the flowers and increase fruiting in the summer, it is possible to use it as top dressing, reducing the portion of the introduced substances by three times. After harvesting, perennial crops need to restore the mineral balance for successful wintering. In this case, the consumption rate will be up to 40 g per m 2. Potassium monophosphate AVA is a new type of fertilizer that can be applied to the soil simultaneously with sowing seeds and planting cuttings.
Nine more trace elements are added to its composition in the form of additives. Soaking seeds in solution reduces susceptibility to temperature fluctuations, and mixing them with a dry concentrate (5 g per 1 m 2) before sowing doubles germination and shortens the ripening period. special effect from the use of potassium phosphate is seen in the example of root crops such as beets, potatoes, carrots.
Indeed, when watering the soil with a solution of this fertilizer, the largest amount of microelements enters the root system.
And yet, lovers of "absolutely organic products", as well as supporters of environmentally friendly farming and gardening, can be recommended to use an organic mixture to feed the soil -. Among other trace elements, it also contains phosphorus and potassium, but their concentration is low, and the possibilities of application are limited. For a significant impact on chemical composition soil ash is introduced from 600 to 800 g per 1 m 2.
The nutritional properties of inorganic elements (mineral fertilizers or fertilizers) are not a secret to anyone. The combination of these substances is ideal for artificial plant nutrition. The most common are phosphate and potash fertilizers.
Depending on the set of nutrients, all fats can be divided into unilateral and multilateral. The former contain one component, while the latter contain 2 or more. For example, the first group includes nitrogen, phosphorus and potash fertilizers. Each of them has only 1 component. The second group includes nitrogen-potassium, nitrogen-phosphorus and phosphorus-potassium.
Varieties of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers
Among potash fertilizers, there are
- potassium sulphate, used for fertilizer berry crops and fruit trees, does not contain harmful impurities and can be used in complex fertilizers in spring and autumn;
- potassium chloride, used in autumn time when digging the soil, since most plants are very sensitive to chlorine and do not withstand direct contact in the summer and spring;
- potassium salt, is a mixture of sylvinite and potassium chloride.
The types of phosphate fertilizers include:
- superphosphate, used for autumn feeding, subject to preliminary dissolution before use, as it is poorly soluble in the soil;
- double superphosphate, does not differ in composition from the usual one, but has a halved dosage, is used on carbonate and chernozem soils along with organic fertilizers, this mixture is prepared in advance from 10 kg of organic matter and 200 g of superphosphate.
Benefits of using potassium-phosphorus fertilizers
Numerous studies of mixtures have shown that their use has a huge impact on the yield of berries and fruit crops. Comprehensively increasing the content of these elements in the plant can increase the yield, as well as give the plant resistance to diseases, extend the shelf life of fruits and improve their organoleptic values.
For example, potash fertilizers are indispensable for grapes, since it is potassium that is responsible for the formation of the plant's immune system, affects its growth and resistance to cold. The lack of this mineral in the soil affects the development of the plant and its yield. Unfortunately, in most regions of Russia, light-type soils predominate (potassium content is negligible), so mandatory bait is simply necessary there.
Complex fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium will be very useful for tomato crops. Especially, it is worth emphasizing the content of phosphorus, since it is his tomato that absorbs the worst from the soil. The lack of phosphorus bait affects from the very first days of growth until fruiting. Phosphorus significantly enhances root growth, increases fruit fleshiness and sugar content. Nitrogen in the form of ammonia is responsible for rapid ripening - try fertilizing tomatoes with ammonia for just one year and you will notice how quickly the crop ripens.
How fertilizers are applied
Various baits containing potassium and phosphorus are suitable for different types soils. Therefore, each fertilizer has its own application features. Phosphorus-potassium bait is best applied in mid-autumn to plants such as raspberries, strawberries, red currants and grapes.
Many novice gardeners ask the question: are such fertilizers dangerous for the end consumer of plant fruits? The answer lies on the surface - if you follow the instructions for use, baits will only benefit, since they consist mainly of minerals. These substances are already present in the soil, but often in small amounts. That is why it is so important to produce bait every year so that the concentration of nutrients in the soil is kept at the proper level.
In complex potash-phosphorus fertilizers, as the name implies, phosphorus and potassium are present. If the name of the bait contains the words “ammo” or “nitro”, this indicates the nitrogen content. For example, "ammophos" means nitrogen + phosphorus, but without potassium. Whereas "nitrofos" means nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium. It is not necessary to memorize the designations and decoding of this or that fertilizer, since the exact composition is always stated on the packaging.
Different types of fertilizers have their own conditions for applying to the soil. For example, phosphorus baits should be applied deep into the soil closer to the roots of the plant. At the same time, potassium-based fertilizers require pre-dissolution before application.
Many gardeners and summer residents who are engaged in home gardening have faced the problem of deteriorating yields, the cause of which is the depletion of the soil and the lack of necessary nutrition for plants. The solution in this case will be the use of fertilizers, which can significantly improve the yield of vegetables and fruits.
Buy various fertilizers for the garden and vegetable garden today is not a problem, but how to choose the right agrochemicals and how to use them correctly? Universal option in this case, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers will become, which contain all the trace elements necessary for plant nutrition.
The advantage of using such dressings is their effectiveness, versatility, and ease of use. With equal success, complex phosphorus-potassium fertilizers can be used for fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Getting acquainted with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers
This comprehensive mineral supplement, which contains phosphorus, potassium and other trace elements. Currently, many varieties of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers can be found on sale in specialized gardening stores, which differ percentage its main components.
Signs of lack of phosphorus and nitrogen
The grower needs to know the signs of nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency so that he can choose the right type of fertilizer to use.
Remember that it is necessary to use such dressings in accordance with the instructions and not exceed the application rate of the agrochemical. An excess of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil can lead to problems in the development of plants, and the grown crop becomes simply unsafe for human health.
Of the signs of a lack of phosphorus and nitrogen, the following can be noted:
- Changing the shape of the leaves, which can quickly fall off.
- The ground part of the plant turns dark green, and soon purple-violet spots appear on the leaves.
- Characteristic necrotic changes appear on the leaves, and the foliage soon falls off.
- The root system is poorly developed, which leads to the depletion of the plant.
- Bushes become low and unviable.
In the event that you notice such signs of a lack of nutrition for plants, it is necessary to carry out appropriate fertilizing of plantings with complex mineral fertilizers.
There is no difficulty in using such a phosphorus-potassium or nitrogen fertilizer. You only need to follow the instructions and remember that such agrochemicals can only be used during the active growth of the plant, but it is no longer recommended to use chemistry during fruit ripening.
Varieties of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers
On sale, gardeners can find ready-made phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, which are easy to use. The most widespread, and ready-made top dressing Autumn.
The composition of the fertilizer Autumn includes:
- potassium - 18%;
- phosphates -5%;
- boron - 0.2%;
- magnesium - 2.5%;
- calcium - 8%.
When using this mineral complex fertilizer in the spring, when digging the soil, the application rate is up to 60 grams of top dressing per square meter of beds. It is possible to use Autumn during the flowering and fruiting of vegetables and fruits. In this case, the application rate of the agrochemical is 30 grams per square meter of beds. After such top dressing, the earth must be plentifully watered and spud.
Nitrophoska is another popular nitrogen-phosphorus potash fertilizer, which contains these trace elements in an equal proportion. One of the advantages of using nitrophoska is the easily digestible form of chemicals, which makes it possible to provide maximum efficiency fertilizer used.
Nitrophoska is produced in the form of granules with gray or pink. The gardener can use both granules directly and an aqueous solution that is applied directly under the roots of horticultural crops.
When using nitrophoska, it should be remembered that it is recommended to apply it during spring digging of the soil, and during the growing season before the formation of ovaries. The application rate of this fertilizer is no more than 60 grams per square meter of land.
Remember that it is not recommended to use this fertilizer in the fall when preparing beds. The nitrogen contained in nitrophoska will be washed out groundwater, which will lead to the need to re-apply nitrogen-containing dressings.
Nitroammophoska contains 17 percent of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and 2 percent of sulfur. This complex nitrogen phosphate fertilizer is different high efficiency and can be used as the main and additional top dressing of horticultural crops. The application rate of nitroammophoska in spring is no more than 50 grams per square, and in summer during the growing season of plants no more than 30 grams.
For flower nutrition, we can recommend you nitrophos, which consists of 16 percent phosphorus, 11 percent calcium and 6 percent nitrogen. it universal fertilizer for garden flowers, which can be used weekly throughout the flowering period. This fertilizer is produced in the form of granules and can be diluted in water or applied directly to the soil with granules.
Diammofoska is a complex nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer, which in last years has become widespread. Due to its versatility of use, Diammofoska can be used for flowers and vegetables. Many gardeners use this top dressing as the main one. Diammofoska contains 26 percent phosphorus and potassium, 10 percent nitrogen, sulfur, magnesium, zinc, potassium and iron. The application rate is no more than 30 grams per square bed.
A few years ago, AVA top dressing appeared on the fertilizer market, which is successfully used in the west. One of the features of this complex fertilizer is the absence of nitrogen, which makes it possible to classify this top dressing as root-soluble. In total, AVA includes 11 various trace elements, which allow you to ensure high-quality growth of horticultural crops.
From nitrogen-phosphorus dressings of natural origin, we can distinguish wood ash, which contains many useful trace elements, including phosphorus and potassium. Gardeners recommend using wood ash when preparing the soil for planting vegetables. Application rate wood ash is three cups of fertilizer per square meter of beds.
What the garden needs
It is known that with the help of organic and mineral fertilizers, it is possible to significantly influence the vital processes of a plant organism. Properly selected top dressings help not only increase the yield, but also improve the keeping quality of fruits, increase the winter hardiness of plants, their resistance to diseases and even pests. With the help of fertilizers, fruiting can be accelerated, for example, apple and pear trees can be made to bear fruit from two to three years of age without harm to the subsequent development of trees.
In a series of publications that we are opening in this issue, we will talk about the proper use of organic fertilizers, how to properly prepare and apply compost, sow green manure crops for plowing for "green" fertilizer, the timing and methods of applying mineral dressings without harm to the gardener, his garden and environment.
Just as a person needs proteins, fats and carbohydrates for normal life, so plants need various substances, and first of all the three main elements - nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). But a person will not live long on proteins or fats alone, and carbohydrates are not able to endlessly support body functions. These substances must be supplied with food in a complex and in a certain ratio. And for plants, it is important not only the amount of basic nutrients, but also the presence of all three of them, and even in optimal proportions, and different at different times of the year.
Even the experiments of Nikolai Lunin and other researchers at the end of the century before last showed that feeding only purified proteins, fats and carbohydrates causes the death of experimental animals. This led to the discovery of vitamins - the most important class of substances needed by the body in negligible quantities. In a word, in addition to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (macroelements), plants also need iron, manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt and other trace elements, in very small doses. Without them, the plant organism develops poorly, is oppressed and, in the end, may die.
Micronutrients are often referred to as calcium, sulfur and magnesium, although these are actually macronutrients. The plant consumes them less than the three main ones, but still in a fairly significant amount. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as all other macro- and microelements contained in manure, are no different from the elements contained in mineral fertilizers. But manure contains them in the optimal ratio.
In addition, manure and compost contain humic substances that stimulate the growth of the root system, as well as many beneficial microorganisms (hundreds of millions per cubic cm) that help mineralization and better absorption of nutrients.
But the essence remains the same. A properly selected ratio of mineral salts can completely replace the nutrients of manure. And the root litter (dead roots of plants), which inevitably remains in the near-trunk circles, leads to the accumulation organic matter in the soil with the formation of humic acids and an increase in the number of beneficial microflora.
The nitrate problem, which has been scaring us since the 1980s, grew out of a very simple situation: nitrogen is an element of growth, the addition of mineral nitrogen fertilizers (without the use of others) led to an increase in yield. The crop from such plants overfed with nitrogen was poorly stored, it really had an excess of nitrogen salts (not only nitrates, but also more dangerous nitrites) and, in general, was of poor quality. In pursuit of profit, farmers poured cheap saltpeter onto the fields, based on the fact that the more the better. By the way, in some places this is still being done.
The paradox is that when using fresh manure introduced in the second half of summer, it is possible to achieve (against the background of increased yields) exactly the same deplorable results. And nitrates in vegetables will be no less than from saltpeter.
Fresh manure contains a lot of nitrogen, therefore, it is introduced in the spring, and even then under crops that are not afraid of some excess of this element, for example, under pears and apple trees on a vigorous (seed) rootstock. And not under just planted, but growing in a permanent place for 3-4 years or more. Under the majority of fruit and berry crops, it is better to apply semi-rotted manure in the spring, which has lain for six months - a year. Just such organic matter contains all the nutrients in the right ratio. It is an ideal fertilizer when preparing planting pits. Manure that has lain for 2-3 years or more is rotted. It has little nitrogen, it is suitable for spring application only with the addition of nitrogen fertilizers - mineral (ammonium nitrate needs 6-8 kg per ton, or 60-80 g per bucket) or slurry.
The way fertilizer is applied is also important.: it is better to distribute any top dressing along the perimeter of the crown of a tree or bush, since it is there that the active suction roots are located. Closer to the center of the near-stem circle are mostly conductive roots that are not able to accept top dressing. Solid (mineral granular or organic) fertilizers containing only nitrogen can be spread on the soil surface. They are very mobile and easily penetrate to the roots. All other dressings containing phosphorus, potassium and other substances must be planted to a depth of 5 to 20 cm, depending on the age of the plant and the depth of its roots. This is due to the low mobility of these elements in the soil.
Usually the three main nutrients - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium - stand for with Latin letters, under which they are known in the periodic table - NPK.
As already said, nitrogen (N) - element of growth. It is part of proteins, chlorophyll and carriers of genetic information - RNA and DNA. Nitrogen compounds are present in every cell of all organisms on our planet without exception. Nitrogen is a spring element - the need for plants in it is most pronounced in spring and in the first half of summer. With a lack of nitrogen, their growth stops, the leaves turn pale, turn yellow and die, the fruits do not pour. Signs of nitrogen starvation, as well as fasting for the other two main macronutrients, appear first on lower leaves as well as on fruits.
For clarity, I will give an example: in early-mid-June, apple trees shed some of the fruits that have just set. This phenomenon, called the "June fall of the ovaries", is most often associated with insufficient supply of trees nutrients primarily nitrogen. The plant is not able to "feed" a large number of fruits, and a protective biochemical mechanism is triggered. If the ovaries have fallen a little - it's not scary, this is ordinary self-regulation. But at adverse conditions you can lose a very significant part of the potential crop. It is possible to prevent (or greatly reduce) the fall of the ovaries in advance spring dressing.
On the personal plot the simplest solution in this case is to shed the soil around fruit trees with a solution of organic or mineral fertilizers during flowering. For example, slurry (it is diluted to make it 2 times), infusion of fresh mullein or nitrogen fertilizers- carbamide (urea), ammonium nitrate. The concentration of the mineral fertilizer solution is about 2 g / l, which is equivalent to 20 g per bucket or 10-liter watering can. This amount of nutrient solution is distributed over 1-1.5 square meters. m of slightly loosened (so that everything is absorbed) soil of the near-stem circle. On the mature tree 6-8 buckets of dissolved top dressing can go. It is very important to apply fertilizers in advance (before the onset of signs of subsidence) so that the plant has time to perceive and distribute them. it general rule for any top dressing: plants need time to assimilate fertilizers, 1-3 weeks, depending on the method of application. Try to do this, and you will see how grateful your wards will respond to taking care of them.
Despite the enormous benefits of nitrogen, however, you should not get carried away with it in the second half of summer. Otherwise, the protracted growth of shoots will not allow plants to prepare for winter. As a result, completely cold-resistant varieties can freeze even in a not very severe winter.
Phosphorus (P) - the second element of the "basic trinity" is part of the universal energy carrier of all living organisms - adenosine triphosphoric acid (ATP). It is also a component of a number of proteins and DNA and RNA chains. Phosphorus is needed by plants in all phases of development, from spring to autumn. With its deficiency, the development of plants slows down, the leaves become reddish or purple hue, winter hardiness of perennial plants is deteriorating.
Phosphorus starvation are much less common than nitrogen, but, for example, on young gooseberry bushes in the middle of summer, one can observe signs of a lack of this particular element. In this case, the growth of the young gooseberry is small, the leaves are small, quickly turning red, the plant looks unhealthy. Here you can quickly help by watering trunk circles potassium monophosphate solution. This fertilizer is now sold in many specialized stores and, although it is not cheap, it is, as they say, worth it. The concentration of the solution should be the same - 2 g / l, or 20 g per bucket. It is better to dissolve the chemical in a small amount (0.5-1 l) warm water, then add cold to the desired volume. This highly soluble salt is quickly absorbed by plants and, in addition to phosphorus, also contains potassium. One or two buckets of solution per young bush will be enough to make up for the lack of phosphorus, then, after 1.5-2 weeks, it is better to add complex fertilizer, whether it is mineral top dressing or semi-rotted manure.
Potassium (K) - the third in order, but not in importance, a macronutrient. Its effect on plants is enormous. Potassium contributes to the normal course of photosynthesis, enhances the outflow of carbohydrates from leaves to other organs, and activates the work of many enzymes. Due to the stronger ability of plants to retain water under the influence of potassium, they more easily tolerate short-term droughts. With intensive accumulation of carbohydrates under conditions of good potassium nutrition, the quality and keeping quality of fruits improves, the osmotic pressure of cell sap increases, and, consequently, the winter hardiness of plants.
With a lack of potassium, growth stops, the plant's susceptibility to fungal diseases increases, weakened plants are more often affected by pests, and easily freeze out in winter. The deadening of the edge of the leaf speaks of potassium starvation. It starts on the lower leaves with small brown spots, turning over time into a continuous dry brown border along the entire edge of the leaf blade.
Ash is one of the widely used potash fertilizers.. Potassium is present in the form of the carbonate salt K2CO3, known as potash. In addition to it, the ash also contains phosphorus, calcium and trace elements. Ash can and should be applied as the main fertilizer in autumn or spring for digging, that is, with incorporation into the root layer of soil in the amount of 100-120 g / sq. m.
But it is equally important to use potash fertilizers to increase the winter hardiness of fruit, berry and ornamental crops. At the same time, top dressing is best done in late August or early September, while the ground is still warm, and the roots will actively accept fertilizer. Some types of ash, such as sunflower stem ash, contain up to 40% potassium, but from burning hardwood and conifers a less concentrated fertilizer is obtained, containing 8-13% K2O (the amount of phosphorus and potassium in fertilizers is usually converted to their oxides). Phosphorus in ash from 2 to 7% in terms of P2O5. The use of ash infusion or the potassium monophosphate already mentioned above, of course, will not restore the browned edges of the leaves, but it will make up for the lack of it. essential element and prevent the development of potassium starvation. So the young leaves that bloom after top dressing will be healthy.
Summarizing what has been said, I note again: no nutrient can replace another plant. It is useless and even harmful to treat nitrogen starvation with potassium, and microelement starvation with phosphorus. Do not fertilize your plants when necessary and with anything. Use organic and mineral fertilizers competently, and you will see that they are able to work wonders.
