TOPFERT’S FERTILIZER Application of fertilizer (一）

The closer to the plant stem when applying fertilizer, the easier the fertilizer will be absorbed

This is a common phenomenon in many places, and this method of fertilization is harmful.

Because the part where plants absorb nutrients is in the root hair area, plant stems and roots (except the root hair area) absorb little or no nutrients. When fertilizing, it is close to the stem of the plant (except in the seedling stage), the fertilizer is away from the nutrient absorption part of the plant, so it is not easy to be absorbed. If too much fertilizer is applied and the concentration is too high, the phenomenon of "burning seedlings" is likely to occur.

Therefore, when fertilizing, the part to apply fertilizer should be determined according to the growth of the above-ground plant and the growth of the root system in the ground to ensure the effect of fertilization.

Misconception 2: 

Apply fertilizer only after crops are lacking in fertilizer

After the fertilizer is applied, it takes 3-5 days to be absorbed and used by the crops in the paddy field, and generally 5-7 days to be absorbed and used in the dry land. Therefore, fertilizing the crops after they are lack of fertilizer will cause the crops to be lack of fertilizer for a longer time and resulting in a decrease in yield. The application of fertilizer work should be carried out according to the characteristics of crops. Paddy fields should be fertilized 5-7 days in advance, and dry fields should be fertilized 8-10 days in advance.

At the same time, the nutrient absorption of crops is also related to light, temperature, water, and fertilization methods (such as dry application, spraying, foliar application, etc.).

Strong light, high temperature, and sufficient water will speed up the absorption of crop nutrients, otherwise, the absorption will slow down. The foliar application has quick effects because nutrients are directly absorbed by the leaves, and it can be applied later, but the concentration should be low to prevent damage to the leaves. Spraying application allows fertilizer directly to penetrate into the roots of the plant, the effect is faster and it can also be applied later. Dry fertilizer has a slow effect and should be applied early.

Misconception 3: 

As long as crops grow well, high yields can be obtained

The growth of crops includes two stages of vegetative growth and reproductive growth (except for leafy vegetables and fleshy stem crops). Applying sufficient nitrogen fertilizer in the early stage of growth can help vegetative growth. However, if nitrogen fertilizer is applied during the reproductive growth period, it will cause crops to become greedy, affect reproductive growth, obstruct the conversion of nutrients, and reduce yield and quality. Therefore, fertilization should be carried out according to the growth of crops. Nitrogen fertilizer should be used in the early stage to help the vegetative growth, and a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium should be used in the middle and late stages to help reproductive growth and increase yield.

Misconception 4:

As long as enough fertilizer is applied, high yield can be obtained

The types and quantities of nutrients required for the whole growth period of various crops and different growth periods are different.

If fertilization is not carried out according to the fertilization characteristics of the crops, one will cause the crops to suffer from nutrient deficiency, decreased stress resistance and disease resistance, resulting in yield and quality decline, secondly, some crops will require little or almost no absorption causing the nutrient residues or loss, resulting in a waste of fertilizer. Therefore, the type and the quantity of the fertilization should be determined according to the growth characteristics of the plant to give full play to the role of fertilizer.

Misconception 5:

As long as fertilizer is applied, it will be effective

The fertilizer efficiency of fertilization is related to soil characteristics, crop nutrient absorption characteristics, fertilizer nutrient release characteristics, water, air, heat and many other conditions. If the influence of various factors is not fully considered, it is easy to cause nutrient loss and fertilizer shortage.

Sandy soil has fast fertilizer efficiency, but it also loses quickly. Therefore, it should be carried out according to the principle of less quantity application and multiple times application. Clay loam has a slow effect on the fertilizer so adequate basic fertilizer should be applied and applied early.

Potassium fertilizer is easy to dissolve, but it loses quickly. Therefore, it should be fertilized in time according to the characteristics of the potassium demand of the crop. Organic fertilizer and phosphate fertilizer have a slower effect and less losses. It should be applied early. Ammonium bicarbonate is volatile and can be composted with organic fertilizer or phosphate fertilizer for 1-2 days before fertilizing which can reduce the loss of nutrients.

Misconception 6: 

Only concentrate on the amount of fertilizer, not the nutrient content

Some compound fertilizers are widely used due to the price is relatively low in the market. These compound fertilizers generally have the phenomenon that the content of effective ingredients is low or the content of one of the three elements is very low or not at all. However, farmers do not pay enough attention to these situations and continue to fertilize the habit of high-content compound fertilizers, resulting in insufficient supplementation of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, causing crop lack of fertilizer and nutrient deficiency syndromes, affect yield and quality.

Therefore, when using these compound fertilizers, you should fully understand the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of these compound fertilizers, and use single-element fertilizers like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other according to the characteristics of various crops to ensure the normal growth of crops.

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