Phosphorite flour as a fertilizer: application, composition and properties

To date, scientists have developed and identified various top dressings for growing plants. As agricultural practice has shown, one of the most environmentally friendly fertilizers is phosphate rock. This fertilizer has a positive effect on the development, growth and yield of grass crops. However, it has its own individual features for making, which will be discussed in this article.

Description of phosphate rock

Phosphorite flour - natural, mineral fertilizer. In appearance, it is a free-flowing powder of dusty gray or brown color.The fertilizer production is based on sedimentary rocks, which consist of phosphorite homogeneous solids in a crystalline state. They are mined with clay, sand and other secondary products of the earth's crust.

Composition

Phosphorite flour has many useful properties. It consists of:

• phosphorus oxide - from 19 to 30%;
• silicon - 18%;
• calcium - 30%;
• magnesium - 2%.

In addition, flour contains a complex of trace elements such as CuO, F2O3, AL2O3, SO2, ZO2.

Formula

Phosphorus P2O5 and poorly soluble calcium s alt Ca3 predominate in the composition of phosphorus powder. Its chemical formula can be expressed as Ca3(PO4)2.

The laboratory method for obtaining phosphorus flour involves the combination of orthophosphoric acid with calcium s alts:

3CaCO₃ + 2H₃PO₄=Ca₃ (PO₄)₂ + 3CO₂↑ + 3H _2O

Or with calcium hydroxide:

3Ca(OH)₂ + 2H₃PO₄=Ca 3_(PO4₎2 _{+ 6H}2_O

As you can see, phosphorus flour has a difficult-to-digest formula for plants. However, this fertilizer works excellently on peat or podzolic soils where the pH exceeds 7 units. The fact is that an acidic environment converts phosphorus into the form that plants need.

Properties

Phosphorite flour is one of the most important fertilizers in crop production. During use, the powder has the following positive effects on plants:

• root formation;
• stimulation of tillering;
• accelerated growth process;
• winter hardiness;
• increased yields.

But, despite such positive qualities, fertilizer has its drawbacks. Phosphorus flour has increased water resistance.

Worth noting: Long lasting phosphorus flour. It can be used once every 4-5 years.

Signs and manifestation of phosphorus deficiency

There are times when plants stop growing on sufficiently nutritious soil that does not need fertilizer. Many people involved in crop production are wondering what is the reason for this phenomenon. It turns out that the main source of this phenomenon is free hydrogen ions, which accumulate in large quantities in the soil.Under their action, the acidity of the soil increases, and it becomes poorer in phosphorus.

To confirm this assumption, it is enough to pay attention to what wild plants grow on the site. As a rule, on medium - and strongly acidic soils you can see:

• oak maryannik;
• oxalis vulgaris;
• plantain;
• sphagnum;
• creeping buttercup;
• cotton cotton;
• Oak Veronica;
• cat paw.

In addition to these factors, increased acidity can be judged by cultivated plants. When they are deficient in phosphorus, they experience:

• drought and blackening of foliage;
• long flowering;
• late ripening;
• growth h alt;
• underdevelopment of the roots.

Another symptom of increased soil acidity is the red-violet color of plants.

Use of phosphate rock

An important advantage of phosphate rock is that it can be in the ground for a long time and gradually dissolve. In this regard, when using it, you can achieve a double effect, this is:

1. Plants get the nutrients they need every year.
2. The level of soil acidity maintains an acceptable rate.

At the same time, the fertilizer is suitable for almost all cereals and fruit crops.

Norms for open ground

Phosphorus fertilizer is applied to open ground once every 5 years. Autumn is considered the best period for this. Such a limitation is due to the fact that phosphorus will have time to settle in the soil during the winter, and in the spring it will begin to feed the plants.

Worth a look! If phosphorus flour is used to reduce the acidity of the soil, additional organics will need to be applied in addition to it.

Fertilizers are applied at the rate of 200-300 g per 1 sq. m. For effective impact, flour must be evenly distributed throughout the site and dug up with soil at a depth of no more than 15 cm.

Compost rates

Phosphorite flour also improves the quality of fertilizers, consisting of a mixture of biological and organic substances, in the decomposition of which microorganisms participated. So, flour is added to unripe compost in the ratio of 20 kg per 1 ton.It will be enough to add 3 kg of phosphorus to the finished compost.

Plant needs for phosphorus and trace elements

As mentioned above, phosphate fertilizers contain a large number of useful elements. Consider the benefits they provide to plants.

Calcium

Calcium plays a big role in plant development. In its deficit, cultures lose their development. As a rule, their growth stops, the top dies off, inflorescences fall off, and fungal diseases develop. Such a negative impact reduces the amount of yield. In addition, the lack of calcium affects the quality of the fruit. They lose their presentation, taste and shelf life.

Silicon

An element such as silicon contributes to the nutrition of plants with useful microelements found in the soil. The fact is that it grinds apatites to small particles, due to which they are better absorbed by herbal crops.At the same time, plants become more dense and resistant to lodging.

Micronutrients

The rich complex of microorganisms favorably affects the he alth of plants. In the area where they occur, the development of pathogenic microorganisms is reduced. Due to this, herbaceous plants do not succumb to various diseases and become more resistant to the invasion of insect pests.

Despite the fact that magnesium in phosphate rock is only 2%, it is also worth noting in favor of plants. This micronutrient promotes energy production and has a positive effect on the quality of crops.

Influence on crops

As mentioned above, phosphate rock can be applied to almost all types of crops. However, there are also plants that do not absorb phosphorus. Consider some of the most common types of crops and their relationship with phosphate rock.

Lupine buckwheat mustard

These green manures assimilate sparingly soluble phosphates quite well. This is due to the fact that they themselves are soil enrichers. When sowing them, the physical and chemical properties of the soil improve. The earth becomes rich in organic matter and nitrogen.

Pea sainfoin sweet clover hemp

The given plants as well as green manure have interaction with phosphorite. This effect is facilitated by the fact that the cultures have a significant release of acids through the root system. In addition, calcium predominates over phosphorite in their composition. Due to this, sparingly soluble phosphorite decomposes faster and turns into soluble s alts.

Cereals flax beet potato vetch

This group of herbaceous and root crops assimilates phosphorus from phosphate rock only on acidic soils.This is due to the fact that plants absorb a small amount of calcium. Accordingly, their root system releases insufficient amounts of acids to break down phosphorus.

Barley spring wheat flax tomato turnip millet

The given plants do not tolerate acidic soil well. The conditions for their growth should be soil with a neutral pH. level.

Application on various types of soils

A distinctive feature of phosphate rock is that, depending on the soil, it is used as both the main and additional fertilizer.

On acidic soils

Soil with a high level of acidity is very poor in potassium and phosphorus. Therefore, it conducts heat poorly and prevents the nutrition of plants with useful substances.To reduce such a negative impact, phosphate rock is applied to acidic soil as the main fertilizer once every few years.

Upgraded

Phosphorite flour can also be used on fertile soils. Here, as a rule, it acts as an additional fertilizer in improving the quality of fruit crop yields.

Features of use

Phosphorite flour, like any other fertilizer, has its own individual characteristics in use.

Applying methods

The effectiveness of phosphorite is affected by its correct application to the soil. To enrich and maintain the soil, fertilizers are applied in a dry form. As top dressing, phosphorite powder must be diluted with water and sprayed on the plants.

Dosages

The dosage of phosphorite flour depends on the type of its purpose and the quality of the soil. To improve soil fertility, fertilizer is applied in the following doses:

• into soil of light mechanical composition - 0.8-1 t/ha;
• into soil with heavy mechanical composition - 2-2.5 t/ha.

If phosphorite is used as an additional top dressing, it is diluted in water at a ratio of 20 g per 1 bucket.

What can not be applied to the soil at the same time

When using phosphorite, it is very important to consider its chemical properties. The fact is that this fertilizer is not combined with some compounds. Among them are:

• chalk;
• dolomite and limestone flour;
• ash;
• slaked lime.

If these compounds have already been applied to the soil, phosphorus can only be used next year, as their combination will cause significant damage to plants.

Safety precautions

Phosphorite flour is considered quite environmentally friendly fertilizer. However, it still contains toxins. Therefore, tillage must be carried out strictly in working clothes, gloves, goggles and a protective gauze bandage. After the treatment of soil and plants is carried out, clothes must be cleaned of fertilizer residues, and hands and face should be washed with soap.

Differences between phosphate rock and superphosphates

Some beginner gardeners believe that there is no difference between phosphate rock and superphosphates.However, they are making a big mistake. Each of these fertilizers has its own value on certain types of soil. So, unlike phosphorites, superphosphates do not benefit on acidic soil. But they are quite valuable on neutral and alkaline soils. However, they are water soluble and are applied only in liquid form.

Alternative replacement for phosphate rock

On acidic soils, plants can be grown without the use of phosphate rock. To do this, it will be enough to apply mineral fertilizers that contain phosphorus. These substances include:

• phosphate slag - phosphorus content 6-20%;
• precipitate - phosphorus content 27-48%.

These fertilizers are used only as pre-planting basic material. As supplements, they are of no value.

As you can see, phosphorus flour is an indispensable tool for every gardener. Using this fertilizer, you can restore the quality of the soil, and significantly increase crop yields. However, do not forget about the rules and dosages of application. A large amount of fertilizer can adversely affect plants.

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