Iron chelate: instructions for use of fertilizer, dosage and analogues

Chelated trace elements are often used for plant nutrition in agriculture, this is one of the modern fertilizers that have a quick and lasting effect on crops. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of iron chelate, how to make it yourself, how to use it for root and foliar feeding of outdoor and indoor plants, how to treat chlorosis. Fertilizer compatibility, storage rules, analogues.

What are chelates

Microfertilizers in this form are produced by many agrochemical enterprises. Preparative form - powder or liquid concentrate.The share of iron is 11%. The fertilizer is characterized by stability, lack of toxicity when applied foliarly, and efficiency when used in hydroponic systems and drip irrigation systems.

Iron chelate can be used to eliminate chlorosis, feed seedlings, adult plants. In fertilized plants, the production of chlorophyll increases, since iron is necessary for this process, and the productivity of photosynthetic processes improves. Microfertilizer can be used on open beds and in greenhouses, it is suitable for any crops in the garden.

The fertilizer is equally effective on many types of soil and in regions with different climatic conditions, its efficiency is 2-10 times higher compared to complex fertilizers that contain the element in other forms. It is recommended for use on carbonate soils, where it is practically the only effective microfertilizer.

Microfertilizer iron chelate increases the yield of crops and improves the quality of the products obtained from them. Optimizes nutrition, due to which there is an increase in the supply of nutrients to plants. Thus, the increase in yield is ensured, and the percentage of carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins in the fruits increases.

The effectiveness of iron in the chelate form is explained by the fact that it migrates more actively and quickly in plants. The element can be in this form until the chelate complex is destroyed. Under soil conditions, this happens at about the rate at which plants absorb iron from it. Therefore, they feed on the element in such quantity as needed. The chelate complex breaks down into natural and non-toxic substances, while water and carbon dioxide are released, which are absolutely not harmful to the soil or plants.

Pros and cons of using fertilizer

The advantages of the drug compared to other fertilizers containing iron:

• quickly restores the amount of element needed by plants;
• combines well with agrochemistry and mineral fertilizers;
• completely soluble in water and completely absorbed in plant cells;
• resistant to bacterial degradation;
• non-toxic;
• after fertilizing with iron chelate, its content in fruits increases, due to which their nutritional value increases.

Disadvantages: if the dosage is incorrect, there may be overfeeding with iron, which has the same adverse effect on plants as a lack of this element.

Handmade

Making iron chelate is a simple process. You will need 2 reagents (ferrous sulfate, citric acid) and water. Cooking process:

1. Dissolve 8 g of vitriol in 2 liters of warm water.
2. In the same volume of water, but in a separate container, dissolve 5 g of acid.
3. Pour the vitriol solution into the acid solution, stirring slowly and constantly.
4. After that, pour 1 liter of plain water into the solution.

You should get 5 liters of the drug. It cannot be stored, it is suitable for use only after preparation. The liquid should be clear and orange in color. If you need more solution, you need to repeat everything again, but do not pour water and reagents into the old solution.

Homemade iron chelate is mainly used to prevent chlorosis, but not to treat it.

Instructions for use

Iron chelate can be fertilized by applying it under the roots or spraying the plants with it along the leaves. Consider different ways to use microfertilizers for garden and indoor plants.

Foliar processing

5 g powder dissolved in 5 liters of water. For fruit and berries and vegetables per 1 sq. m. 1 liter of solution is consumed. Spraying should be carried out for trees and shrubs 1st time during bud break, 2nd time - after 2 weeks. Spray vegetables 1st time when they reach the 3-4 leaf stage, 2nd time before they start flowering.

Root application

For irrigation use a solution of the same concentration, but per 1 sq. m. spend 2 liters. Watering is carried out in the initial stages of plant growth, subsequent watering - after 2 weeks.

Use for indoor plants

Flowers are usually grown in conditions of lack of light, because their need for iron is somewhat greater than that of garden plants. It is also necessary to apply this fertilizer under those flowers that grow in acidic soil, for example, under orchids. The concentration of the solution is 1 g per 1 liter, the consumption is until the clod of earth gets wet.

Chlorosis treatment

Chlorosis is a symptom of severe iron deficiency. It needs to be treated quickly, so it is better to use foliar fertilization. Iron from a solution on the leaves begins to act within a day after spraying, while after watering - after 3 days. Concentration for the treatment of chlorosis - 2 times more than with conventional top dressing. The number of feedings with chelate - until the symptoms disappear with an interval of 2 weeks.

Precautions

Iron chelate is non-toxic to humans, does not irritate the skin. To work with it safely, you need to wear gloves, a regular respirator and goggles. After work, it is enough to wash your hands and face with soap. Wash off the solution if it gets on the hands or other parts of the body. In case of accidental contact with eyes or stomach, rinse eyes with water or perform gastric lavage by taking activated charcoal tablets and drinking plenty of clean water.

Compatible with what?

The acidity of iron chelate solution is neutral. It can be used along with chemicals and fertilizers. But when combined in a hydroponic solution, the chelate can precipitate because the ingredients are taken at a higher dosage than usual. Therefore, it must be introduced into the solution separately.

A stable state of iron is observed in a neutral reaction of the medium, in an acidic environment it breaks down and passes into inorganic s alts that dissolve in water. In an alkaline environment, it also breaks down and forms hydroxides that are insoluble in water.

Storage rules and expiry date

Iron chelate is stored for 1 year, all this time it must be kept in its original packaging, which is tightly closed. Moisture and solar radiation should not act on the substance. The room for the drug is chosen dry so that it does not become damp. Storage temperature - in the range of 0… +30 °C.Do not allow liquid to freeze.

Keep iron chelate micronutrient away from pets and children. Do not put food, water containers, animal feed in the immediate vicinity to exclude any possibility of contact with the substance. The finished solution must be consumed immediately, it can be stored for only a few hours.

Means analogues

Chelated iron is contained in fertilizers that bear the same name. They are produced by different manufacturers. For plant nutrition, you can use the preparations "Solu Micro Fe D 11", "Mikrovit K-1", "Solu Micro Fe 13". Iron is found in many mineral fertilizers, but not in a chelated form, so this element is not as available from them as from a chelate.

Iron chelate is used to feed this element to plants of any agricultural species.Fertilizer is much more effective than conventional mineral complex preparations, because the chelate form allows the element to be more available for intake and assimilation by plants. The tool is used for planned application, when you only need to feed the crops, but it is especially recommended for the rapid treatment of chlorosis caused by insufficient iron intake in plants. In this case, iron chelate is the best choice among the options.

Recommended