Proper plant nutrition. Plant nutrition - correct application

Feed or not? How often amateur gardeners ask themselves this question. And, of course, doubts are not in vain, since there is not always a need for summer fertilizing of fruit and berry plants.
Let's first understand what is top dressing?

What is top dressing

There is the so-called basic fertilizer, or dressing, which is carried out in the fall, and on light soils - in the spring. At this time, organic, phosphorus and potash fertilizers are applied, as well as nitrogen fertilizers (the latter must be done in the spring). In this case, fertilizers are given so much that the plants have enough of them for the entire growing season. And then usually summer top dressing phosphate and potash fertilizers are not needed. In nitrogen, however, it may be necessary, for example, while waiting big harvest, the appearance of symptoms of nitrogen deficiency (weakening of the intensity of the green color) or the cultural turfing of the garden.
And if, for some reason, the main fertilization was not done or not done in full, for example, due to a lack of fertilizers, then there is no way to do without summer top dressing.

What are top dressings, what to use for top dressing

Now let's find out what top dressings are.

- First of all, root and non-root, depending on where the fertilizer is applied - in the soil or directly on plants, for example, on leaves.

- Secondly, organic or mineral, depending on the type of fertilizer.

- Thirdly, liquid and dry, depending on whether they are applied dissolved or dry.

What is used for dressing?
From mineral fertilizers - any nitrogen, superphosphate, potassium sulphate, microfertilizers (if any).
From organic - slurry, mullein, bird droppings. These fertilizers are suitable for liquid dressings, since the nutrients in them are contained in a form that is easily digestible for plants.

If a mineral fertilizers applied dry, it is very important that they fall into moist soil, then their effectiveness will be much higher. You can first fertilize and then water the area. Doses of fertilizers for mineral dressings of fruit and berry plants are given in the table.

Table 1 Doses of fertilizers for mineral dressings of fruit and berry plants

Considering that the doses of fertilizers for root dressings are small and it is difficult to evenly distribute them over the fertilized area, it is more expedient to apply them in the form of an aqueous solution. To save water consumption, these doses can be increased by 3-4 times, dissolved in 10 liters of water and applied not by 1 m2, but by 3-4 m2.

For root dressings organic fertilizers prepare solutions (suspensions).
Mullein first diluted with water at a ratio of 1:3 and periodically mixed. It is undesirable to insist such a solution for a long time due to nitrogen losses, which can reach up to 50%. For top dressing, the prepared solution is once again diluted 3-4 times and applied at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 m2. The slurry is diluted in a ratio of 1:5 and the plants are immediately fed (1 bucket per 1 m2).
And here chicken manure, as the most concentrated organic fertilizer, diluted in a ratio of 1:10-12 if raw manure is used, and when dry - 0.5:10-12. Solution consumption per 1 m2 - 1 bucket.

Since slurry and mullein contain much more nitrogen, and especially potassium, than phosphorus, it is useful to add simple superphosphate to the solution - 150-200 g per bucket. Top dressing can be carried out entirely over the entire fertilized area or locally - in grooves or annular grooves around plants (10-12 cm deep). After the fertilizer solution has been absorbed, the soil must be loosened to avoid nitrogen losses, and the grooves or grooves should be sealed.

When to fertilize

Top dressing can be carried out only in the first half of the growing season (2-3 times), so as not to delay the growing season, otherwise the winter hardiness of plants will decrease.
Summer top dressing - effective reception improving the nutritional conditions of plants during the period of enhanced growth, laying reproductive organs and crop formation. They are especially needed on poor, poorly cultivated soils.

I. Popesko, I. Solovyov, Candidates of Agricultural Sciences

Proper feeding involves the introduction of a certain dose of nutrients that meet the needs of the plant, at the right time and with maximum effect. Usually, top dressing is carried out in order to improve the nutrition of crops and to compensate for the trace element missing in the soil.

Theoretically, all this looks quite reasonable, although so far there is no way to measure the needs of the plant with sufficient accuracy and determine the actual amount of nutrients in the substrate. Nai best result gives a combination of the main fertilizer with top dressing.

The effectiveness of top dressing depends on the quality and properties of fertilizers, their degree of solubility in water and the ability of nutrients to move through the soil. The best effect is provided by those top dressings in which fertilizers are applied in dissolved form. Dry fertilizers can only be used during heavy rains or irrigation, so weather conditions determine a lot in this matter. In dry weather, it is not advisable to carry out top dressing, since plants during this period suffer from a lack of moisture, and not nitrogen.

The number of top dressings and the time they are carried out depend on the volume of fruiting of the plant, weather conditions and the soil itself. So, if the land was well fertilized, then it does not need phosphate and potash fertilizers.

When a plant enters its fruiting period, it consumes more nutrients, so from now on, it needs to be given more fertilizer. So the volume various fertilizers depends on the yield of the plant in each particular year. True, phosphorus and potash fertilizers are usually applied in the same way, regardless of yield, but nitrogen fertilizers are applied differently in good and lean years, given the strength of growth and the color of the leaves. For example, in a lean year, it is enough to apply nitrogen fertilizer once in the spring. If the leaves of the plant turn light green, at the end of May you need to carry out another nitrogen fertilization. In a high-yielding year, the dose of nitrogen fertilizers must be increased. First, they are brought in as usual in the spring, and then they are carried out additional top dressing after the June shedding of ovaries.

According to the method of applying fertilizer, top dressing can be root and foliar, the main principles and differences of which will be discussed below.

Root top dressing

Root top dressing is the main method of applying fertilizers to the soil in close proximity to the plant root, due to which nutrients go straight to root system ensuring its growth and development.

Root top dressing with mineral fertilizers can be done in four ways:

- evenly scatter fertilizers over the wet surface of the soil, and then bury it to the depth of its digging;

- close up fertilizers in grooves 20-30 cm deep, dug in advance along the outer border of tree trunks or holes;

- fill pits with a depth of 30-40 cm with mineral fertilizers, drilling them at a distance of at least 100 cm from the tree trunk. The gaps between the pits should be about 50 cm, the frequency of such top dressing of trees is 1 time in 3 years;

- dissolve in a large amount of water right amount mineral fertilizers (mainly nitrogenous) and water the plants with this solution. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account next moment: the more water the fertilizer is dissolved, the more evenly it will be distributed over the site.

Solutions and mixtures of mineral fertilizers must be prepared before use, including in their composition the main elements that contribute to the normal development of the plant: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In addition to them, macro- and microelements should be included in the mixtures: calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, etc. At the same time, the composition of the fertilizer and the proportion of the content of each element is determined by many factors: the age of the plants, their species, the composition of the soil at the place of growth, climatic conditions and a range of individual factors.

❧ The color of the soil depends on the presence of certain pigment substances in its composition. So, if its upper layers are painted in dark shades brown and gray, which means that they contain a significant amount of humus.

It is very important to choose the right time to fertilize. For example, nitrogen fertilizers are not applied under crops in the second half of the growing season, since plants need nitrogen in the spring during rapid growth. For this reason, it is desirable to identify the symptoms of nitrogen starvation in the previous summer. During the autumn feeding, an excess of nitrogen is formed in the soil, which usually leads to a weakening of the plants, reducing their frost resistance.

Proper and timely root dressing will be a guarantor good harvests and a healthy well kept garden. For its implementation, it is desirable to use slow-acting fertilizers, strictly observing their dosage, since excessive concentration can lead to burns of the root system.

To correctly determine the required concentration of fertilizers, it is possible from time to time to conduct an agrochemical analysis of the soil with the help of highly qualified specialists from the agrotechnical laboratory. The analysis is necessary in order to determine with maximum accuracy the level of soil supply with nutrients, and especially phosphorus and potassium.

The level of security can be high, medium and low. At high level soil security useful elements it is required to reduce the dosage of fertilizer, and at a low level - to increase. For example, if fruit trees grow on soddy-podzolic and gray soils, then the degree of availability can be determined based on the volume of phosphorus and potassium per 100 g of soil in a layer up to 20 cm thick:

— middle level security corresponds to 8-10 mg of phosphorus and 7-10 mg of potassium;

- 12-16 mg of phosphorus and 11-14 mg of potassium indicate an increased level of soil supply;

- 16-20 mg of phosphorus and 15-18 mg of potassium testify to a high level.

The deep layer of soil (20-40 cm) should contain 2 times less phosphorus and 1.5 times less potassium than the top layer. Based on these data, you can calculate the approximate dose of fertilizer application. If the supply of soil with phosphorus and potassium is below the average level, then the dose of fertilizer is increased by 2 times. With an average and elevated level availability, you need to increase the dose by 1.2-1.5 times, and at a high level (over 40 mg per 100 g of soil) - reduce it by 2 times.

The intensity of growth and development of plants, as well as the ability of them to absorb useful trace elements, depends on the degree of soil supply with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. A sufficient level of nitrogen nutrition ensures good absorption of potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc. With a lack of nitrogen and an increased concentration of phosphorus in the soil, the absorption of microelements worsens.

Root top dressing organic fertilizers(rotted manure, compost, humus) can be carried out at intervals of 1 time in 2-3 years, planting them in the soil to a depth of 10 cm. Liquid organic matter should be applied after rain or irrigation on well-loosened soil. For this purpose, slurry, bird droppings, mullein and other fertilizers that are highly soluble in water are best suited.

Root top dressing with mineral fertilizers is also more expedient to carry out species that are easily soluble in water. All nitrogen fertilizers are easily soluble in water, but it is preferable to use those that contain nitrogen in the nitrate form - nitrate:

Ammonium nitrate (up to 35% nitrogen);

Sodium nitrate (up to 17% nitrogen);

Ammonium chloride (up to 45-46% nitrogen);

Ammonium sulfate (20% nitrogen).

Potash fertilizers, such as potassium salt (up to 35% potassium oxide), are also easily dissolved in water, especially in hot water.

Among the phosphate fertilizers, the most readily soluble are ammophos and superphosphates (16-20% of assimilable phosphoric acid).

Top dressing should be carried out in the stage active growth, since at rest it has no special meaning. Early spring top dressing on frozen soil is very effective, because in spring period plants absorb the maximum amount of nutrients, and in the soil at this moment they are usually not enough.

In horticulture, nitrogen fertilizers are applied using spring and early summer dressings. Sometimes this is the only way to apply fertilizers due to their mobility and fragility. For berry crops and young fruit plants carry out two fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers: early spring and in late spring or early summer.

Early spring top dressing can be carried out on all types of soils, since at the beginning of the growing season there are no nitrates in the soil. More than others, ammonium nitrate and urea are suitable for this agricultural technique, which can be scattered over the surface of the soil. In this case, urea must be sealed thin layer soil, since when moisture enters the open air, it evaporates, and ammonium nitrate is gradually absorbed into the soil.

On chernozems, dark gray forest and alluvial soils with sufficient fertility, you can limit yourself to one early spring top dressing. On relatively poor soils and all light soils, regardless of their fertility, additional early summer top dressing should be carried out. In this case, up to 55-65% of the annual dose of nitrogen is applied in spring, and the remaining 35-45% is added at the beginning of summer.

If the second top dressing is carried out in the rain or abundant watering, then fertilizers can also be applied superficially. In dry weather or in the absence of the possibility of abundant watering, fertilizers must be diluted in water (25-30 g per Yul). On light soils, the solution can be applied superficially, on loamy and clay soils, in grooves previously laid to a depth of 10-15 cm and not closer than 1 m from the trunks for trees and 5-10 cm with a distance of 50 cm for shrubs.

From complex fertilizers for top dressing, you can choose nitrophos and nitroammophos, also introducing them into the grooves. If ammonium sulfate was introduced in the fall, which is well preserved in the soil, then early spring top dressing can be canceled or carried out by significantly reducing the dosage of the fertilizer.

Solutions for fertilizing with organic matter on soils with a dense structure are also best applied to the grooves, which, after soaking the solution, must be covered with earth.

In a fruit-bearing garden with a plentiful harvest, it is required to carry out a third top dressing during the June shedding of ovaries (at the end of June) in the same way as the second. In young gardens, the third feeding is not necessary, so as not to provoke a protracted growth of shoots.

foliar top dressing

Foliar nutrition is additional way plant nutrition, used in conjunction with the main root top dressing. It is usually carried out by spraying solutions containing nutrients directly onto the plants.

Getting on the stems, leaves and other above-ground parts of the plant, nutrients are absorbed much faster and more efficiently. Therefore, foliar top dressing is practiced in cases where the plant needs to be fed urgently (during illness). For example, foliar feeding is especially useful for trees that are frozen in winter and weakened. It is also indispensable in the years bountiful harvest as an addition to the main soil top dressing.

❧ If the color of the soil in the area has a reddish, brown or ocher hue, it is safe to say that the soil contains particles of manganese or iron. For clarification, it is advisable to conduct a soil analysis so as not to make a mistake with top dressing.

Foliar top dressing for the direct introduction of nitrogen and trace elements into the plant is useful if the soil has hyperacidity or was over-compacted during drought or ground frost. The effect of foliar feeding can be seen already on the third day. At the same time, it lasts only about 2-3 weeks, since this method cannot be used to fertilize large quantities because they strong solutions can be detrimental to the plant. Then top dressing can be repeated if necessary.

Foliar feeding is also indispensable during those phases of plant development when it is not possible to fertilize the soil without damaging the root system. Fertilizers based on their absorption of macro- and microelements are especially useful for plants. Foliar feeding with the inclusion of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the nutrient solution can support the plant in a difficult moment of development. Moreover, it will only complement, but not replace the main root dressing, however, in sufficient providing the plant through the leaves with microelements (calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc) and other useful substances.

For foliar feeding, early morning or evening, calm and cloudy, but not rainy, is optimal. Its effect depends on the volume useful substances, which leaves and other parts of the plant will have time to absorb, so the nutrient solution should be on them as long as possible. At the same time, when foliar feeding in the evening, you need to choose a moment so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall, otherwise there is a risk of developing fungal diseases. In hot or windy weather, the solution will quickly evaporate, and the rain will simply wash it away, which is why the effect of top dressing will be small.

❧ If you need to feed a tree growing in the city with the help of foliar top dressing, its crown must first be washed to remove all harmful substances that have settled on it.

When carrying out foliar feeding, it is important to correctly determine the concentration of the solution. It is desirable that it does not exceed 1%, otherwise burns may appear on the leaves. If, through foliar feeding, it is supposed to transfer the missing microelements to the plants, then it will be necessary to use the appropriate solutions of salts of very low concentration.

In early spring, less saturated solutions are chosen for spraying young plants. For example, for spring foliar nitrogen fertilization, 30 g of urea per 10 liters of water is taken, while in summer the amount of fertilizer can be increased to 40-50 g per the same volume of water.

The solution must be prepared on the day of use.

Even if you are completely sure of the correct concentration, it is advisable to start with 1-2 branches and see if they show signs of burns within 1-2 hours. Only then can the whole plant be fed.

The solution is sprayed over the top and bottom surface leaves, if possible, spraying them until they start to drip.

Fertilizers must be mixed in accordance with the recommendations specified in the instructions, otherwise the resulting mixture may begin to chemical processes leading to loss of nutrients. In particular, ammonia may be released, the substances will pass into a form that is difficult to digest, or hygroscopicity will increase, due to which the fertilizer will quickly become unusable.

Vitamin shell for seeds is not only protection and nutrition. It will increase their size, which makes it easier to sow.

Decontaminated seeds are moistened in a solution of mullein (1 part mullein to 10 parts water). Strain the solution through a sieve. The nutrient mixture for the shell is prepared from 300 g of humus, 100 g of finely chopped dry mullein and 600 g of sifted peat, ventilated, low and non-acidic. For 1 kg of the mixture, add 15 g of superphosphate.

The prepared mixture is added little by little to a jar of wet seeds and shaken until the particles create a shell around the seeds. right size: for carrots and parsley - 2.5-3 mm, for onions and beets - 4-5 mm.

If the seeds are pelleted for storage, dry them well at 30-35°C for 2-3 hours. Before sowing, they must be lightly sprinkled and kept under a dense, damp cloth for three days.

How do top dressings and fertilizers affect shelf life?

Agree, the ultimate goal of all our work in the country is the fruit not on a branch, but in our storage. Therefore, a far-sighted summer resident, who dreams of “counting the harvest in the fall”, begins to take care of the keeping quality of fruits since spring.

It has been proven that mineral fertilizers greatly (to put it bluntly - by half) reduce the shelf life. This is in addition to the fact that the fruits are almost 10% smaller than those to which such fertilizers were not applied.

What to fertilize is understandable: rotted manure and ripe compost are urgently needed. It is worth not being lazy, slowly adding raw materials to compost heap to enjoy more fresh vegetables in storage! At the same time, fresh manure, slurry bring much less benefit.

By the way, fresh peat is also not the most useful fertilizer. It also reduces shelf life and resistance to sorting.

Is there a relationship between planting time and fertilizer application?

“The sooner you sit down, the longer you lie down!” - so you can sentence, planting vegetables on time. If the root crops are sown later, they will be stored poorly. You can support such “late children” by fertilizing with compost, and not simple, but watered at one time with infusions of nettle, yarrow, shepherd's purse.

You should not completely refuse mineral fertilizers, just apply them only under those plants that are planted on time and are healthy. They can also “offer” not quite ready compost.

What is the fertilizer dose for spray feeding?

Plants absorb nutrients not only through their roots, but also through their leaves and stems. Spraying is carried out in the evening, without exceeding the indicated doses. Please note that in spring the doses should be even less, because the leaves are still tender and young.

Doses are indicated per bucket of water:

• Copper sulfate (copper) - 1-2 g;
• Boric acid (boron) - 3-5 g;
• Ammonium nitrate (nitrogen) - 15-20 g;
• Urea (nitrogen) - 40-50 g;
• Borax, manganese sulfate - 5-10 g;
• Superphosphate (phosphorus) - 300 g;
• Potassium sulfate - 100 g;
• Potassium chloride - 50 g;
• Magnesium sulfate - 200 g;
• Zinc sulfate - 2-4 g;
• Molybdate ammonium (molybdenum) - 1-3 g

How to feed flowers?

In mid-July, feed phloxes using mullein infusion (1:10) or chicken manure(1:20), diluting 10 g in a bucket of water ammonium nitrate, 20 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulfate. Use a bucket of infusion on square meter soil.

Feed gladioli twice in July with a break of 2 weeks, using a mixture of 15 mg / m 2 potassium sulfate and 25 mg / m 2 superphosphate, both in liquid and dry form.

To feed astilbe, delphinium, bellflower, nivyanik and rudbeckia (as well as other rhizomatous perennials), prepare a mixture - complete mineral fertilizer (g / m 2): ammonium nitrate - 15, potassium - 15, superphosphate - 20. Feed this mixture during the budding period or at the beginning of flowering, watering in dry weather and scattering dry in the rain.

25 years ago, one gifted North American farmer and experimenter Carlson founded a special technology to increase growth and yield 100%. various plants(melon, grain, vegetable and ornamental crops, fruit trees). The basis of his technology was the foliar feeding of plants through the leaves and, strange as it may sound, the performance of music near them.

Thousands of farmers have used and still use the Carlson kit, designed for accelerated plant growth and containing bottles of top dressing, a spray bottle and a music cassette, after which gardeners get unprecedented harvests.

For example, in Karelia, a Russian-Finnish vegetable growing project has been used in practice for several years in three farms. All these farms are prospering and acquiring unprecedented Russian Federation wealthy crops of beets, carrots, potatoes and cabbage. The secret of their success lies in the fact that the processing vegetable crops conducted according to Finnish technology and using Finnish mixed seeds. The basic principles underlying the technology of cultivation of root crops consist of the same foliar feeding and the use of environmentally friendly herbicides and stimulants. This contributes to the most proactive maturation of plants, and in addition, thoroughly protects them from pests.

Foliar and root top dressing: what is more significant?

Typically, in practice, 2 dressing options: root (ordinary feeding, when the fertilizer acts on the soil and is absorbed by the roots) and foliar (when the fertilizer is introduced through the leaves, stems, and in some cases even through the trunk). In other words, foliar feeding means sprinkling the leaves with a weak solution of fertilizers. And many quite often forget that not only the roots feed the plant.

According to expert decisions, 40% of the crop is acquired directly through the foliage. The leaves are able to perceive the nutrients that have appeared on them with the help of an aqueous solution, that is, in the form of foliar dressings. Naturally, root top dressing still remain the main ones, because a key portion of fertilizers is applied through the soil on an ongoing basis. Foliar top dressings, in accordance with small portions of applied fertilizers, are used as additional ones. However, they are no less significant.. Foliar top dressing is considered the most constructive, operational method of top dressing, it is such a “ quick help» plants under critical conditions.

About the pros and cons of foliar feeding

The main advantage of foliar feeding is that the nutrients introduced through the leaves are much more rapidly absorbed by the plant. Foliar feeding can be used with confidence when the plant is exhausted and it is risky to feed it through the roots. Foliar feeding is very effective in unfavorable (dry, cool or damp) times during the growing season.

However, its main purpose is to increase the intensity of plant formation, acquiring maximum yield, and in addition, support in case of a lack of any component.

The disadvantages include the fact that foliar feeding does not make it possible to provide a large number of nutrients at a time, because with an increase in the concentration of the solution used, there is a real threat of leaf burns.

Each time, when spraying a plant, it is necessary to demonstrate extraordinary discretion. Otherwise, with improper handling, strong young shoots will turn black almost overnight (and it is permissible that not only the younger generation). At the same time, not only the concentration of the solution is significant, but also the type, condition, age, varietal character traits sprayed plants, as well as weather conditions. In order to determine the appropriate concentration, agronomists first do a trial sprinkling individual plants solutions of any concentration and only after that a specific dose is advised.

How to properly feed?

This issue should be taken seriously. Foliar feeding- this is sprinkling with a solution of fertilizers using a sprayer that brings smaller sprays. It is necessary to sprinkle until a small dew settles on the leaves, which does not drip down. It is advisable that more solution settles on back sides leaves with many stomata. This can be achieved with the help of additives - adhesives.

In the event that negative circumstances for foliar feeding unexpectedly descended, spray moistening is necessary so that the leaves and shoots do not rot, burn or be attacked by pests. For example, from dawn it was cold, gray, dew fell, and a little later the sun rose and everything was replaced by heat. Or the opposite incident - in the daytime cloudy, it is unclear, parko. In all cases, plants need rain with the purest, slightly warm water, including in the case when there is enough moisture in the ground.

Why foliarize?

Treatment of plants with solutions fertilizer has the following advantages:

• Good plant nutrition during the period when the weather is unfavorable;
• Yield increase up to 15-20% with dense planting in narrow areas;
• Accelerating the ripening of root crops and fruits by about 4–12 days;
• Improving the taste properties of agricultural products, especially root crops;
• Increasing the resistance of agricultural crops to various pests and diseases;
• Possibility of renewal of heads and heads of cabbage, which were previously spoiled by pests.

For example, cucumbers are immigrants from the tropical thickets of India. Into the cold summer season their roots function inhibited, the fruits become smaller, bitterness is felt. Tomatoes and other representatives of the nightshade family (pepper, eggplant) come from areas with high insolation. If the weather is bad for a long time, the collection suffers in quantity, quality and taste.

Fertilizers that have been applied directly to the synthesis of plastic elements for fruits will correct this problem. This resembles a well-fed person who is easier to tolerate humidity and frost.

Almost all horticultural crops, grown as annuals, existed in the wild as perennials. For fruit to form need phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. When transported from the root system, plants primarily absorb nitrogen from the soil, however, in order to grow them, phosphorus and potassium are still needed. The fruits get the rest of the nutrients. Foliar feeding has an effect similar to the one that was in the previous case.

Early collection - it takes 2-4 days for the transport of nutrients from the roots to the ovaries, and when applied through the leaves, they are accepted to function for 4-6 hours. In total, 2-3 foliar top dressings with microelements with potassium per season save up to a week or more. This is especially important for commercial farms: it will be possible to enter the market with the latest and fresh harvest when in other gardeners it is only just ripening.

Usually, it is difficult for pests to assimilate trimmed plant tissues; they need “semi-finished products” - glucose, amino acids. is able to have an accelerating effect on the biosynthesis in the plant, the "raw materials" are used more rapidly. Pests are allowed to consume food that is not nutritious for them, after which they weaken and will soon become victims of natural enemies.

In some cases, it is possible to renew a damaged crop. For example, a head of cabbage that has been affected during the formation of a head of cabbage can be renewed by feeding with ammonium or sodium nitrate (120–150 g per 10 liters of water per hundred square meters of land). Just not potassium, because we eat cabbage leaves, not seeds. The same applies to cauliflower.- although its modified inflorescences are used for food, they are also storage organs.

When to feed?

Foliar top dressing garden plot are divided into three types:

• Planned - after 4-6 days after the planned feeding to the roots.
• Sporadic - in the presence of bad weather conditions to ripen the crop.
• Emergency - during a danger or an obvious attack of pests, as well as in the presence of starvation indicators for some component.

Scheduled plant nutrition

Foliar top dressing is not able to replace the full nutrition of plants, for this reason it is necessary to feed on the leaves when the plants “took their taste”, feeding natural way. That is, the roots began to pump plastic substances, biosynthesis began to bear fruit, eagerly absorbing microelements with potassium. This is the best time fertilize the leaves: abundant nutrition for the fruits will be where it is needed, and a nutritious greenish mass will serve to cultivate them with enhanced photosynthesis.

According to the plan, it is preferable to carry out foliar top dressing in the evening, because in addition to the roots, plants absorb nutrients most correctly at night with the help of breathing. But in this case, in the daytime there should be cool weather, even with the presence of light clouds. If such weather is not expected, then it is necessary to carry out foliar feeding with the advent of dawn: the first half of the night of greenery must take a breath from the heat of the day. In this case, when it will already be noticeably warming up, it is necessary to carry out a light (so that the drops instantly roll off) flushing watering with a spray. Especially if the foliar solutions are made with an oily adhesive.

Sporadic and urgent feeding

These top dressings are necessary, first of all, when signs of plant starvation are obvious:

• The presence of a dull greenish color or blanching of the leaves (chlorosis) indicates that the plants lack nitrogen.
• Chlorosis between the veins - indicates a deficiency of iron and magnesium.
• Old (body) leaves are reddish-lilac - lack of phosphorus.
• The yellow border on the leaves is the absence of potassium.

Even sporadic and urgent top dressing is necessary for nightshade and pumpkin crops under conditions that contribute to the growth of green mass, and not to the increase and ripening of fruits.

In every case such top dressing is done under the same circumstances, as planned, namely, after root feeding and in good time day. In case bad weather favors foliar top dressing(not hot, slightly hazy, damp), the interval between root and urgent feeding can be reduced to half a day.

To provide plants with nutrients in the required quantity, various methods are used:

1. alternation of plants in the garden in order to maintain soil fertility;

2. application of the main fertilizer in autumn;

3. treatment of seeds with microfertilizers;

4. fertilizer soil mixture in pots and seedling boxes;

5. application of starter fertilizer before sowing or planting;

6. planned top dressing during the growing season, including the seedling period;

7. corrective feeding in case of signs of deficiency of plants in the batteries.

8. regular top dressing during the growing season through the fertigation system.

This article describes planned and corrective top dressing during the growing season.

Planned fertilizing is carried out - against the background of the main fertilizer applied in the fall during digging, and pre-sowing fertilizer application to the soil for seedlings and beds - for greater efficiency of the applied fertilizers.

Mineral or natural organic fertilizers?

To obtain an environmentally friendly crop, it is not recommended to use mineral fertilizers that worsen the ecology of plants and soil. But to increase the yield, it is still necessary to carry out top dressing, especially when the plants are stunted or the leaves become pale, or unnaturally dark green, or the internodes are stretched.

In the same time optimally selected ratio of macro- and microelements in mineral fertilizers can completely replace the nutrients of manure, which just contains them in the optimal ratio. And the dead roots of plants, always remaining in the soil, create an accumulation of humus with an increase in beneficial microflora.

Nitrogen is an element of growth; in pursuit of the harvest, they sprinkle the fields with saltpeter, based on the fact that the more it is, the better. Hence and nitrate problem, as well as more dangerous nitrites in herbal products nutrition of people. By the way, when entering fresh manure containing a relatively large amount of nitrogen, in the second half of summer, there will be no less nitrates in vegetables than from saltpeter. Half-rotted manure that has lain for six months - a year is an ideal fertilizer for spring planting. Having lain for 2-3 years or more - already rotted manure. It is low in nitrogen, and nitrogen fertilizers must be added during spring application.

Can top dressings replace the main fertilizer?

No, they can't. Only the combination of dressings with the main fertilizer can give the best result. At the same time, if large doses of top dressing are given, the doses of the main fertilizer should be reduced and, conversely, if the main fertilizer is good, the doses in top dressing should be reduced.

What top dressing is more effective - liquid or dry?

Liquid fertilizers are more effective. That is, when fertilizers are dissolved in water, they act faster. In dry form, fertilizers can only be applied during heavy rains.

Liquid organic top dressing- quickly assimilated environmentally friendly fertilizer. It significantly increases the yield and improves the structure of the soil.

top dressing best done with herbal infusion which is one of the best natural fertilizers. After all, the most valuable manure is also obtained from grass, after digesting it in the stomachs of cows. At the same time, an infusion of grass is more valuable than manure, since cows leave a large part of the beneficial substances of the grass entering the manure for themselves. In addition, when mowing, more grasses get into the green mass, including all weeds that contain various microelements.

Preparation of liquid organic dressings

Read how to properly prepare and apply liquid organic top dressing.

The use of liquid mineral supplements

As it was said, if possible, it is better to carry out not mineral, but liquid organic top dressing. However, for the introduction of magnesium and trace elements into the soil without mineral supplement not enough.

What mineral fertilizers are suitable for liquid dressings?

Suitable are all those mineral fertilizers that dissolve easily in water.

nitrogen fertilizers all are easily soluble in water, but if possible it is better to use saltpeter because they contain nitrogen in the form of nitrates.

potash fertilizers They also dissolve well in water, but faster in hot water. It is better to use not chloride, but potassium sulfate.

Of the phosphate fertilizers, superphosphates are soluble in water. Soluble fertilizers are also ammophos, fruit and berry and other ready-made mixtures.

Of course, all sold liquid fertilizers are well suited for liquid dressings.

The table below gives an example of the solubility of some fertilizers at different temperature water, in g / liter. For example, according to the table, the solubility of potassium sulfate at a temperature of 20°C is 80 g/l. When trying to dissolve 100 g in 1 liter, 20 g will settle.

Fertilizer / Water temperature, °С	5°C	10°	20°	25°	30°	40°
ammonium nitrate	1183	1510	1920
Ammonium sulfate	710	730	750
Urea	780	850	1060	1200
potassium nitrate	133	170	209	316	370	458
calcium nitrate	1020	1130	1290
magnesium nitrate	680	690	710	720
MAP (Mono ammonium phosphate)	250	295	374	410	464	567
MKP (Mono Potassium Phosphate)	110	180	230	250	300	340
Potassium sulfate	80	90	111	120
Potassium chloride	229	238	255	264	275

How to prepare liquid top dressing from mineral fertilizers?

Fertilizers are first dissolved in a small amount water, then the required amount of water is added to this solution.

Superphosphate is more difficult to dissolve. Usually it is prepared with 3-5%. To do this, pour half a bucket of water, pour 300-500 g of superphosphate (powder or granular) into it, mix well. When the solution settles, it is drained from the sediment. Then a quarter of a bucket of water is poured into the sediment, mixed thoroughly and drained from the sediment. last operation repeat one more time. After that, almost all of the superphosphate will go into solution, but the precipitate will still remain. But this is already gypsum, which is an impurity of superphosphate. However, double superphosphate is better for liquid top dressing, it does not contain gypsum, therefore it dissolves in water almost completely.

In this sediment there are necessary for plants sulfur and gypsum (lime fertilizer), so it must be used.

When dissolving fruit and vegetable mixtures, a residue usually remains, since the mixtures contain superphosphate.

Water-soluble magnesium fertilizers: epsomite (magnesium sulfate), kieserite, kainite, carnallite, potassium magnesia.

How to apply dry mineral fertilizers?

It is better to apply top dressing around the perimeter trunk circle tree or bush, as there are suction roots. Closer to the center of the circle are predominantly conductive roots that do not perceive top dressing. Dry nitrogen fertilizers can be laid out on the soil surface. They easily penetrate the roots. The remaining dressings containing phosphorus, potassium and other substances must be embedded in the soil to a depth of 5 to 20 cm, depending on the depth of the roots and the age of the plant.

Can mineral fertilizers be mixed?

Yes, they can be mixed before applying fertilizer to the soil to reduce labor costs. But at the same time, it is necessary to be guided by the rules given.

How much fertilizer should be applied per season?

It depends on a number of reasons. With a good basic fertilizer, phosphorus and potash fertilizer in dressings often do not contribute. Nitrogen fertilizers, being more soluble, are washed out of the soil faster, especially during heavy rains or irrigation. Therefore, nitrogen fertilization is applied more often, given the color of the leaves and the strength of growth. When the leaves are not green enough or dark green, apply nitrogen fertilizer - one or two. However, if there is no rain in the summer and the garden is not watered, then the plants grow poorly, as they suffer from a lack of water, and not from a lack of nitrogen. This means that it is necessary to water regularly and then you can do without unnecessary nitrogen fertilizing.

On the other hand, it is impossible to overfeed plants with nitrogen, especially in the second half of summer, as this can lead to a deterioration in the quality of fruits, their keeping quality, as well as to a decrease in plant resistance to adverse conditions.

On sandy and peat soils plants need top dressing with both nitrogen and potassium. In autumn, after harvesting, fruit and berry plants need potassium and phosphate fertilizers. Nitrogen top dressing is not done at this time, since nitrogen causes a rapid growth of green mass, which is why plants tolerate overwintering worse.

What is fertigation?

This is a method of fertilizing when fertilizers are supplied along with irrigation water. The fertilizer solution is prepared in containers and then dosed introduced into the irrigation water. Fertigation has a number of advantages:

Fertilization is more precise and uniform.

Nutrients are readily available to plants.

Reduced fertilizer costs.

Labor saving.

There are quantitative and proportional methods of fertigation. The quantitative method is used in open field. Required amount fertilizer must be applied to the field (eg kg/ha), then this amount of fertilizer is applied with irrigation water.

The proportional method is the most efficient and is mainly used on light sandy soils and in greenhouses. At the same time, a certain dose of fertilizer is injected into every unit volume of water flowing during irrigation.

The installation of a fertigation system requires special knowledge and equipment.

Do you need foliar plant nutrition?

With foliar top dressing, plants absorb nutrients with the help of the aerial parts - leaves, stems.

Foliar top dressing of plants is carried out by the method of fine spraying - spraying. The fertilizer is diluted in water and the plant is sprayed with this solution. This method is effective when you need to quickly feed a sick or weakened plant. The advantage of foliar feeding is the speed of assimilation by plants.

Top dressing on the leaves is usually carried out twice. The first time is when the leaves are forming. The second time - during flowering and fruit formation.

Foliar top dressing is usually applied when there are signs of a nutrient deficiency in the plant to quickly eliminate this deficiency. It is also used to maintain the plant during drought or in cold weather.

Top dressing on the leaves is carried out in small doses in the evening or in cloudy weather. It is important to spray the solution in small drops and evenly.

According to studies, the removal of nutrients, for example, phosphorus with a corn crop, is 80 kg/ha, the maximum allowable concentration per leaf feeding is 4 kg/ha. Hence, the required amount of foliar top dressing will be 59 times! That is, it is simply impractical to carry them out instead of root ones.

It is also important to remember that exceeding the permissible concentration of the solution during foliar feeding can lead to leaf burns and crop losses.