Magnesium sulfate: plant fertilizer application and composition

Fertilizers containing magnesium are used in agriculture to feed plants with magnesium and sulfur. Consider the composition and properties of magnesium sulfate fertilizer, advantages and disadvantages, how to use it for root and root application, how to use it on garden crops, trees, shrubs, flowers, conifers. Is it possible to combine with other pesticides, how to store, what to replace.

What is this?

Magnesium sulfate water - complex fertilizer. It is used as a means for the main application together with fertilizers with nitrogen and phosphorus during soil preparation, for seasonal top dressing (root and foliar application).Increases the content of 2 elements in the soil - magnesium and sulfur, in the ground they become available to plants and are easily absorbed.

Fertilizer is used on neutral and slightly acidic soils with a lack of magnesium, as well as on sod-podzolic sandy loam. Plants, especially high-yielding ones, have a constant need for this element.

Composition and properties

Magnesium sulfate contains Mg 17% and S 13.5%. Produced in the form of granules and crystalline powder.

Granulated

Produced magnesium sulfate in granules for application to the soil during processing and during the season. It has medium caking. Eliminates magnesium starvation, increases productivity, improves the quality of vegetables and fruits, seeds, they become more protein. Seeds germinate and sprout faster, plants become more resistant to fungi and growing in adverse conditions.

Fertilizer does not harm plants, remaining in the soil, does not accumulate in it, does not worsen the condition of the soil.

Crystalline

Produced as a crystalline powder. Possesses good solubility, flowability. It has the same properties and effect on plants, but due to the small size of the crystals, it can be used to prepare a foliar feeding solution.

Advantages and disadvantages

Magnesium sulfate has the following benefits:

delivers elements to the soil in an easily accessible form;
used for all crops;
suitable for main application and regular top dressing during growing season;
used to quickly control the amount of magnesium in the soil;
intensifies fruit coloration.

Disadvantages of fertilizer: irritates the skin and causes skin diseases.

Signs of deficiency and excess

Magnesium is involved in photosynthesis because it is present in chlorophyll. Activates enzymatic processes, improves the utilization of phosphorus and iron by plants.

When there is a shortage of this element, the plants themselves move it from the lower leaves to the young ones. Therefore, you can determine the shortage by the appearance of old leaves: they turn yellow or turn white between the veins (chlorosis), only the veins remain green. Over time, chlorosis areas become necrotic, the edges dry out.

If the shortage is acute, you can see "marble" spotting, yellowing and twisting of the plates even on young foliage.

With an excess of magnesium sulphate, roots die off in plants, leaves darken, sometimes new leaves curl or grow smaller than usual.Excess content of the element negatively affects the absorption of potassium and calcium by plants, which leads to their deficiency.

Instructions for use

Dosage, consumption and methods of application for different crops will be different. It depends on the needs of the plants themselves and how much of the element is contained in the soil.

Basic

In spring or autumn, granular fertilizer is evenly applied to the soil, distributed in it and deepened by digging. In this case, the temperature of the soil almost does not matter; it can be applied on frozen and thawed ground. Soil moisture does not matter, but if it is too dry, it is recommended to irrigate to moisten.

When planting vegetable seedlings, it is recommended to add granules to the hole along with nitrogen fertilizer. For watering during the season, it is better to use crystalline powder for plants.It is dissolved in water and watered, the solution acts faster. The water temperature must be at least 20 ˚С.

Foliar

Magnesium sulfate solution can be sprayed on the leaves of plants, top dressing is especially necessary during drought and for the rapid growth of green mass. When used for spraying urea, a substance mixed with it in one solution reduces the likelihood of burns.

Crops for the garden

Normal application of dry granules of magnesium sulfate (in g. per sq. m) for vegetable crops:

cucumbers, tomatoes - 10;
root vegetables, cabbage - 15;
potatoes - 15-20.

To prepare the solution, you need to use 30-35 g per 10 liters. Watered 2 times. Sprayed with a liquid of 15 g per 10 liters.

Fruit trees

Dosage for fruit more than for vegetables.For every sq. m. contribute 30 g, spread over the surface and embedded in the soil. Granules or powder are introduced into the near-stem zone to the width of the crown projection. For irrigation, a solution is made with a dosage of 25 g. The consumption for a young tree is 5 liters, for an adult - 10 liters.

Conifers

On conifers, magnesium deficiency is manifested by yellowing of the needles, then it becomes orange and reddish-blue. First, the color change covers the old needles, then the young.

Fertilizer is applied when planting a seedling or during a period of active growth, 30-50 g per square meter. m. After making the conifers are watered with clean water. You can also spray the needles with a solution of 20 g of the drug in 10 liters of water.

Shrubs

The method of applying magnesium sulfate under berry bushes is the same as for trees. But the dosage is less - 20-25 g per sq. m. and 15 g per 10 liters. Consumption - 2-3 liters of liquid per bush.

Flowers

Dosage for the preparation of a feeding solution for indoor flowers and growing in the garden - 5 g per 10 liters. Consumption - 1-1.5 liters per plant.

Safety precautions

The toxicity of the substance is low, but it has an irritating effect on the skin. Therefore, it is necessary to work with him without fail in gloves, glasses and a respirator. Do not remove protective equipment while work is in progress. Try not to get the solution or powder on the skin. If this happens, rinse immediately with water.

In case of possible fertilizer poisoning, gastric lavage should be carried out: drink medical coal tablets, drink at least 1 liter of water and after 15-20 minutes. induce vomiting.

Compatibility with other products

Magnesium sulfate interacts well with other fertilizers, so it is often included in general feed mixtures.When formulating mixtures, it must be taken into account that an excessive content of magnesium leads to indigestibility of potassium, so it must be strictly dosed. Conversely, potassium, nitrogen and calcium, when exceeded, negatively affect the absorption of magnesium, which should also be borne in mind when calculating the dosage.

How to store properly

When properly stored, the fertilizer has an unlimited shelf life, according to the manufacturer. That is, you can use it until it runs out. Store powder or granules in waterproof packages from the manufacturer. Do not allow the presence of moisture in the room where the drug is contained. To do this, it must be ventilated, and heated in winter. Restrict access to the facility for children and animals. Do not put various foodstuffs, animal feed, medicines, household chemicals next to sulfate. It is allowed to store any fertilizers and pesticides nearby.

Fertilizer diluted with water, store only 1 day. Since it loses its properties and benefits, it is necessary to prepare the volume of the solution in such an amount that it does not remain the next day.

What can replace

Magnesium fertilizers are divided into water-soluble and insoluble. Insoluble are ground rocks and minerals such as magnesite, dunite, dolomite, serpentinite and others. Magnesium is released into the soil when fertilizers are applied to acidic soil and the fertilizer interacts with it. Soluble magnesium fertilizers are natural s alts and their derivatives during processing: kainite, epsomite, carnallite.

These are mainly simple magnesium fertilizers, but there are also complex ones, which, in addition to magnesium, contain another nutrient:

nitrogen - dolomite-ammonia nitrate, ammoshenite;
phosphorus - magnesium phosphate;
potassium - potassium magnesia, carnallite, polyhalite;
boron - magnesium borate;
nitrogen and phosphorus - magnesium ammonium phosphate.

Based on lime - dolomitic limestones and their processed products, dolomite. All fertilizers have a different composition, purpose, dosage, but can serve as substitutes for magnesium sulfate for use in fields and household plots.

Magnesium sulfate is an agro-preparation with a high content of magnesium and sulfur. Both elements are necessary for plants in certain quantities. Fertilizer is especially effective on acidic soils, where there is a chronic deficiency of the element, but it can also be used on soils of other types.

The use of the substance in the agricultural sector allows you to urgently solve the problem of lack of magnesium in the soil or deliver it to plants in doses during the season. The results of applying the drug are as follows: in fruits, grains, berries, root crops, vegetables, the percentage of dry matter, proteins increases, the quality of fruits and seeds improves, and their winter storage period lengthens. There is an increase in the resistance of crops of all kinds to negative growing conditions, pathogens and fungi, frost resistance increases, plants tolerate frost more easily, and freeze less often.