How to prepare a mixture of mineral fertilizers. How to mix fertilizers correctly. Compatibility of urea with other fertilizers.

Foliar feeding is a great way to supplement plant nutrition with the necessary elements. However, the use of more than one component in a solution may cause precipitation in the form of insoluble salts.

If we want to apply several nutrients at the same time, it is better to use ready-made complex fertilizers for foliar feeding. They are balanced in composition, often have adjuvants for better fixation of the solution and a certain pH value, which affects the supply of nutrients and the properties of the solution. The choice of such fertilizers on the Ukrainian market is very wide.

However, it often happens that there is no extra money, but simple fertilizers are available. In this case, you can also prepare a solution for foliar feeding, but you must mix the fertilizers correctly. The compatibility of fertilizers used for foliar feeding is presented in the table:

Compatible fertilizers are diluted in a common stock solution container. For limited compatibility and incompatibility, it is necessary to use a separate container of the mother solution. Concentrated solutions of phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers are not mixed in the same tank with calcium or magnesium. This will prevent the formation of insoluble compounds.

As for microelements, chelates are certainly more effective, but they also cost a lot. In fruit growing, for example, it is sometimes more economical to use inorganic salts in higher concentrations.

When preparing a mother solution of simple salts of microelements, it is necessary to observe the order of mixing the elements. First, 1.5 g of boric acid is dissolved in 150 ml of hot water and transferred to a 1-liter volumetric flask. Add 20 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid to the hot solution of boric acid (carefully and slowly along the edge of the flask). Separately, dissolve 0.2 g of zinc sulfate in 50 ml of hot water and pour into the previous solution. Then dissolve 12.5 g of iron sulfate in 150 ml of hot water and pour into a volumetric flask. Manganese sulfate (1.2 g), ammonium molybdate (0.2 g), cobalt nitrate (0.2 g), copper sulfate (0.2 g), potassium iodide (0.2 g) are dissolved (each salt separately) in 50 ml of water and mixed with the previous solution. Cool the flask with the solution of microelements and add water to 1 liter. The solution should have a transparent appearance. If this technology is not followed, a precipitate of insoluble salts will form after 3-5 hours, which is unacceptable. For 1 liter of water take 0.5 ml of a stock solution of microelements.
Using simple fertilizers for foliar feeding has a number of disadvantages. Low degree of purity, rather poor solubility, the appearance of salt deposits, chemical burn of leaves if the working concentration is not observed.

Recently, to reduce equipment passes, fertilizers are often mixed in the sprayer tank with plant protection products. If there is no data on drug compatibility, the following test is performed. The components of the mixture in quantities corresponding to field consumption rates are placed in measuring containers of equal volume, for example, 3-liter glass jars. After preparing working solutions of the required degree of dilution, the containers are closed and the contents are mixed, turning them over several times. The mixture is visually checked for homogeneity immediately and after settling for half an hour. Signs of incompatibility are: layer-by-layer separation of the working fluid, formation of a layer of foam, sediment or flakes.
It should be noted that any combination that separates within 30 minutes, but is easily mixed when the container is inverted again, can be used provided that it is constantly mixed in the spray tank. If non-dispersible oil, sediment or flakes form, the mixtures are unsuitable for use.
Before industrial use, any new combination in the form of a mixture should be tested on plants in the field in small plots.

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By applying fertilizers, It is important to follow some simple rules. Why is it important? Mixing some fertilizers is unacceptable, since in such a mixture processes can occur that will lead to the loss of nutrients or the nutrients will turn into a hard-to-reach form and will be less absorbed. The worst-case scenario is that applying incorrectly mixed fertilizers can lead to a deterioration in the physical properties of the soil in the garden. First of all, these are material losses that we cannot allow. And since we are reasonable housewives and owners, let us remember the basic conditions for mixing fertilizers:

Fertilizers that should not be mixed

• Ammonia forms of nitrogen fertilizers with lime materials and ash. Due to chemical reactions between them, a significant amount of nitrogen content will decrease.
• Superphosphate with urea (urea). A sticky mass is formed that you simply cannot apply evenly into the soil.
• Never mix potassium salt and nitrate with superphosphate in advance. The mass may become damp.

Fertilizers that can be mixed

• Bulk dry mineral fertilizers. If they are a little caked, sift them or chop them.
• Ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate with other ammonium phosphates and nitrates.
• Ammonium sulfate with urea (urea), granulated ammophosphates and superphosphate.
• Feel free to mix lime materials and ash with urea and potassium chloride. The only thing is to prepare the mixture before adding it to the soil.
• Poultry litter, manure and compost with granular superphosphate and potassium chloride. Also with carbamide (urea), but immediately before application.

To save time on gardening work, sometimes for proper application, fertilizers are often mixed. And that's reasonable. Now we will know how to do it correctly so that our fertilizers do not lose nutrients or become unsuitable for application.

Another small addition.

• Fertilize only when the soil warms up to +10C. At low temperatures, in cold weather, it is pointless to do this - the roots of almost all plants will not absorb nutrients.
• Try to apply mineral fertilizers directly at the roots of plants. Using a watering can for this purpose risks burning the plant leaves with splashes.
• If the soil is dry, moisten it before fertilizing. Fertilizing on dry soil can cause burns to plant roots.

By following simple mixing rules and fertilizer application rates, we will achieve excellent results in our vegetable gardens and orchards.

Well, the most important thing is to buy high-quality fertilizers and follow the instructions for their use.

We wish you good and healthy harvests!

Mineral fertilizers applied in the fall should contain a minimum amount of nitrogen. However, they also need to be added wisely, especially if you want to mix several components.

Most often, one-sided fertilizers (which contain one nutrient element) are mixed - this makes it easier to bring the content of one or another nutrient element to the desired value, although it is not forbidden to mix both complex and complex (with several nutrient elements) fertilizers. However, three negative scenarios are possible.

1. The physical properties of the mixture will be worse compared to the original fertilizers. This happens when mixing urea or ammonium nitrate and not enough dry superphosphate. The mixtures are wet and poorly dispersed. If you are not going to add the mixture immediately after mixing, it is also not recommended to mix potassium salts, phosphate slag or phosphate slag. This will lead to the formation of highly hygroscopic calcium chloride, and the finished product will cake.

2. Nutrients will turn into a form less accessible to plants, due to the fact that the components of the mixed fertilizers will chemically react with each other. An example of the second scenario is mixing superphosphate and alkaline fertilizers (phosphate slag, Thomas slag, calcium cyanamide, lime, ash, etc.). In this case, the availability of phosphorus for plants from the mixture, and therefore its effectiveness, is sharply reduced.

3. The finished mixture will lose some of its nutrients. This rule applies primarily to nitrogen fertilizers. It is unacceptable to mix all ammonium salts (ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, ammophos, diammophos, etc.) with alkaline fertilizers, such as phosphate rock, potash (potassium carbonate), phosphate slag, thermophosphate, as well as with calcareous materials - lime, chalk, dolomite or cement dust.

This leads to gaseous losses of nitrogen - ammonia evaporates from the mixture.

Sodium and potassium nitrate should not be mixed with acidic superphosphate containing a lot of free phosphoric acid. Nitrogen losses from such a mixture are also inevitable, but in the form of nitrogen oxides.

However, it is worth mentioning the moisture content of the mixed fertilizers. If it is too high, the mixture will not be free-flowing, which means it will be difficult to evenly apply it to the soil. The maximum permissible moisture content in ammonium nitrate should be no more than 0.2-0.3%, in urea - 0.2 * 0.25%, in superphosphates - no more than 3%. If the fertilizer is granular, high humidity will cause the granules to break down.

Reminder when mixing several fertilizers

Below are other entries on the topic “Do-it-yourself cottage and garden”

When growing plants, gardeners have to use various organic and mineral fertilizers, but not every fertilizer is suitable for any plant. and determines the possibility of using fertilizers when growing certain crops and their beneficial use.

All types of cabbage react very positively to the addition of organic and mineral fertilizers to the soil. The need for phosphorus is necessary for cauliflower, broccoli and late cabbage. High potassium consumption is observed in mid-late and late varieties of cabbage. Cabbage grows better when organic and mineral fertilizers are used together. The effectiveness of fertilizers for cabbage depends on the type of soil, its fertility, the content of nutrients in it and on watering. The higher the soil fertility, the less it is necessary to add nutrients that are already partially contained in it. Cabbage is fertilized 1-2 times during the entire growing season. The last fertilizing must be carried out 50-60 days before harvest, so that nitrates do not accumulate in the finished product.

Plant compatibility with fertilizer in table root vegetables. They are responsive to applied organic and mineral fertilizers, but fresh organic fertilizers cannot be applied to root crops, as they delay the formation and ripening of root crops and worsen their quality. Therefore, it is better to apply fresh manure, fresh peat and household waste under previous crops. For these plants it is necessary to apply processed humus, peat compost or mineral fertilizers.

cucumbers very susceptible to good soil, it should have sufficient organic fertilizer content. The soil should be well amended with manure, which ensures better plant growth and improves the quality of the product. Cucumbers need fertilizing during fruit formation. The first feeding is carried out two weeks after germination, the second at the beginning of flowering. During the fruiting period, cucumbers consume a lot of nutrients, so they need nitrogen and potassium feeding at this time.

Growing cucumbers in manure beds is very different from growing cucumbers simply on the ground in terms of quantity, quality of the crop and ripening time.

Tomatoes They grow better on cultivated soils; they are responsive to phosphorus fertilizers. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers contribute well to the ripening of fruits and improve the quality of products with a low nitrate content in products. Nitrogen fertilizers promote strong growth of green mass, growth of shoots and delay the ripening of fruits. There is no need to use fresh organic fertilizers for tomatoes; it is better to use already aged humus or compost. Tomatoes respond very well to feeding with slurry 2-3 times. Less fertile soil can be used for tomatoes; it contributes less to the growth of green mass and increases productivity.

Bulbous plants They grow better on fertile soils and are demanding of a high content of mineral salts. Onions grow well in good sandy loam soils. Excess nitrogen delays the ripening of bulbs and increases the nitrate content. The best results are obtained by applying medium doses of mineral fertilizers with the addition of manure to the previous crops. Onions do not respond well to fertilizing, so fertilizers must be applied immediately before planting.

Leek Requires good soil rich in organic matter. It grows better when organic fertilizers are applied, including manure and mineral nitrogen fertilizers. The need for potassium and phosphorus in leeks is small. Nitrogen fertilizers must be added to the fertilizer with irrigation water.

Garlic does not like high concentrations of nutrients in the soil, so it is necessary to apply organic fertilizers to its predecessors.

Leguminous plants do not really need fertile soil; they are not demanding of increased fertility and fertilization relative to other plants. They have the ability to absorb nitrogen from the atmospheric air and poorly soluble phosphorus compounds from the soil.

All salads, spinach, dill and other green plants grow best in light soils rich in organic matter. Organic fertilizers are applied to previous crops. Plants take well to fertilizing with nitrogen during the initial period of growth, which is added with irrigation water.

All perennial plants that grow for many years in one place need good fertile soil, filled with organic fertilizers.

Plant compatibility with fertilizer plays a big role in the cultivation of vegetable crops; the production of good yields and the quality of products, as well as the nitrate content in them, depend on their compatibility. The application of certain fertilizers greatly affects the composition and structure of the soil, so you need to be very careful about this.

To prepare mixtures of mineral fertilizers, it is advisable to select fertilizers that have the same structure. It is better to mix crystalline ones with crystalline and powdered ones, and granular ones with granulated ones. In this case, greater uniformity of sifting is achieved when applying fertilizers.

The number of components in the mixture will depend on the biological characteristics of the crop or on the method of application. For the main filling of the soil (main application), multicomponent mixtures containing three or more nutrients are most often prepared, and for fertilizing and pre-sowing application, two-component mixtures may be sufficient.

Knowing the mass of a certain volume of fertilizers, when mixing, you can use such measurements that will make it possible to quickly measure the required amount and prepare a mixture with a given ratio of nutrients.

When mixing fertilizers, certain rules must be followed in order to obtain a non-hygroscopic, well-dispersed mixture.

Do not mix ammonium fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, ammophos) with alkaline fertilizers (with ash, lime, phosphate slag). When these fertilizers are mixed, nitrogen is lost in the form of ammonia gas.

A mixture of potassium chloride and alkaline fertilizers is unsuccessful, since the mixture turns out to be very hygroscopic and becomes damp during storage and does not disperse well. If preparation is necessary, it is not recommended to store such a mixture; it must be immediately dispersed and incorporated into the soil.

Ammonium sulfate should not be mixed with superphosphate and potassium chloride in advance. These mixtures must be prepared before applying to the soil. During storage they acquire unfavorable physical properties. They cake, turn into a monolithic mass and dissipate poorly. Good components for mixtures can be ammophos, diammophos, nitrophoska and nitroammophoska. They make it possible to obtain dry and bulk mixtures, and also provide a high concentration of nutrients.

It should be remembered that it is necessary to prepare any mixtures from dry fertilizers and store them under conditions that prevent deterioration of their physical condition: in dry, well-ventilated areas and preferably for a short time.

Schemecompatibility of fertilizers when mixed.

M - can be mixed; O - you can mix only before application; N - cannot be mixed.

How to measure the right amount of fertilizer?

Of course, the most reliable thing is to have fairly accurate technical scales in use. The market currently offers a large selection of household electronic scales at a relatively low price. The need to have precise weights (weights) has completely disappeared.

If there are no scales, then the smallest error in determining the required amount of fertilizer will be made when using the volumetric method. To do this, you need to know the volumetric mass of fertilizers, that is, the weight of 1 cubic centimeter in grams (or 1 liter in kilograms, or 1 cubic meter in tons).

Various available containers can be used as volume meters for bulk materials, such as mineral fertilizers. Thus, a thin or faceted glass with a rim will contain 250 cubic centimeters of liquid and bulk material, and a faceted glass without a rim - 200. One tablespoon holds about 15 cubic centimeters of liquid, and a teaspoon - 5. Bulk materials in a tablespoon with a top make up a volume of about 25 , and in the tea room there are 7...8 cubic centimeters.

A matchbox will hold 20 cubic centimeters of bulk material. To measure large quantities, you can use half-liter and liter glass containers and even a bucket pre-measured with water. Now it is enough to multiply the volumetric mass of the fertilizer by the volume of the selected container, and you will find out the weight of the measured fertilizer.

So, crystalline ammonium nitrate, measured with a teaspoon, will weigh (0.82 x 5) - 4.1 grams, in a tablespoon it will fit (0.82 x 15) - 12.3 grams, in a matchbox (0.82 x 20 ) - 16.4 grams, in an eight-liter bucket (0.82 x 8) - 6.56 kilograms, and so on. It is enough to choose a suitable container to measure the required amount of fertilizer.

What is the active ingredient of mineral fertilizer?

So, mineral fertilizer consists of the main substance, that is, salt, which includes a nutrient element, and impurities. The more main fertilizer substance and less ballast, the more valuable the fertilizer. But the fertilizer value ultimately depends on what the main substance of the fertilizer is.

Take nitrogen fertilizers as an example: in one case it can be ammonium sulfate, in another – ammonium chloride, in the third – ammonium nitrate. The nitrogen content in each of these chemically pure salts is: 21.2% in ammonium sulfate, 26.2% in ammonium chloride and 35% in ammonium nitrate. This would be the content of the active substance in fertilizers if they were chemically pure. However, the technology of their production and purification allows for incomplete removal of impurities, and sometimes the special introduction of certain additives into the composition to improve physical properties. Therefore, the content of active substance in fertilizers is usually lower.

In modern practice, the quality of fertilizers is relatively rarely expressed by the content of the nutrient element (with the exception of nitrogen fertilizers). Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium fertilizers are assessed not by the content of elements (P, K, Ca, Mg), but in terms of their oxides P 2 O 5, K 2 O, CaO, MgO. This is the custom among chemists. Agrochemists also adhere to this. All industrial mineral fertilizers are necessarily accompanied by a certificate indicating the content of the active substance.