Phosphorus fertilizers: what is it and what types are there?

Phosphorus is one of those elements without which plants cannot grow normally. Water-soluble phosphate fertilizers are important for the normal development of all crops. Both an overabundance and a lack of a trace element in the soil leads to the fact that vegetables and fruits begin to grow poorly. With a sufficient amount of phosphorus, crops begin to bear fruit faster and give a rich harvest, and are less likely to suffer from diseases.

Phosphorus fertilizers - what are they?

Phosphorus fertilizer is a substance that is involved in accelerating the growth of crops, improves the quality and quantity of seeds, and also affects the formation of ovaries and fruits.

Deficiency of phosphorus in the soil can lead to reduced yields and wilting of bushes. Different crops require different amounts of the substance, but in any case, all plants need top dressing with phosphorus-containing fertilizers.

Plants most in need of liquid phosphate fertilizer:

• Carrot.
• Rhubarb.
• Pear.
• Cabbage.
• Grapes.
• Apple tree.
• Tomatoes.
• Pepper.
• Gooseberries.
• Cucumbers.
• Beans.
• Raspberry.
• Plum.
• Eggplant.
• Blackberry.
• Potatoes.

You can also use other types of phosphorus-containing fertilizers for top dressing.

There are several types of dressings. They differ in composition and method of production. Depending on the type of top dressing, the method of application to the soil is also different.

Organic top dressing

Some varieties of phosphate fertilizers are organic. Do-it-yourself fertilizer of this kind is quite simple.

Natural formula:

• Bone meal. As you know, bone meal is obtained by grinding the bones of livestock. Fertilizers belonging to this species are used for the active growth of any crops. Tomatoes, cucumbers and potatoes respond especially well to it. Suitable bone meal for indoor plants. Organic phosphate fertilizers are the safest, unlike chemical fertilizers.
• Compost. You can make your own high-phosphorus herbal fertilizer with your own hands.

To prepare top dressing you will need:

• Hawthorn.
• Nettle.
• Thyme.
• Bitter wormwood.
• Feeding grass.
• Rowan berries.

Based on these herbs, you can make your own compost, which will nourish the soil with phosphorus just as well.

Classification

Depending on the level of solubility, there are four types:

• Soluble.
• Liquid.
• Insoluble.
• Water insoluble.

The last variety is the least common among gardeners.

Soluble phosphate fertilizers include:

• Superphosphate. A popular top dressing among summer residents. You can buy in stores in the form of granules or powder. In addition to phosphorus, superphosphate contains calcium, sulfur, magnesium and other chemicals. Suitable for soil application in open ground and greenhouse shelters. Most of the substance is best applied in the fall when digging the site. The second part - in the spring before planting seedlings.
• Superphos. A fertilizer that is highly concentrated and is available only in granules.
• Superphosphate double. Available in the form of granules, may contain a small amount of acid. Apply mainly in autumn. Also, double superphosphate is used for root and foliar top dressing during the season. It belongs to strong concentrates and should be diluted before use in the spring so as not to burn the roots.

Water insoluble fertilizers include:

• Ammophos. Gardeners who fertilize vegetable and grain crops, trees, shrubs with this top dressing will have a good harvest. Used in the fall when digging the site. Combines well with nitrogen.
• Diammophos. The second name is ammonium hydrophosphate. This chemical element is the main component. It is used to reduce the level of soil acidity, increases the immunity of plants to diseases and insects. Diammophos is combined with bird droppings and manure. When mixing the product with organic fertilizers, you need to insist it for a day so as not to damage the plants.
• Azofoska. Mineral fertilizer, which belongs to the complex. It also contains potassium, nitrogen and a small amount of sulfur. Produced in the form of large granules. Azofoska helps to increase the yield, prevents the development of diseases.
• Precipitate. Refers to lemon-soluble fertilizers. Powdery substance of a light gray hue. The precipitate dissolves in citric acid. Concentrated fertilizer. It is used mainly on soils with high acidity.

Sparingly soluble dressings come with the following names:

• Phosphorite flour. The process of assimilation of this substance is slow. It is influenced by factors such as the properties of the plant, the degree of grinding of flour and the acidity of the soil. You can speed up digestibility by mixing flour with acidic nitrogen-containing top dressings or peat (manure can be used). Mixing with ash is not recommended.
• Vivianite. Vivianite is mined from iron ore. On sale you can find Vivianite only in powder form. Its properties resemble phosphate rock. Before applying to the soil, the product must oxidize in fresh air.

Liquid phosphate fertilizers are distinguished by their complex composition. The composition of these fertilizers also includes potassium, nitrogen and other substances. Pure phosphorus in liquid form is not available. The most popular remedy is Reasil Forte Semen Start.

The advantage of liquid dressings is their convenience. They are available in sealed containers. It can be stored at temperatures up to -17 degrees. They are introduced into the holes before planting seedlings and foliar.

Another effective remedy for plant growth is phosphoric acid. With the help of phosphoric acid, you can fertilize different varieties of plants. Particular attention should be paid to the concentration of the acid. If it is concentrated, then it must be diluted in a ratio of 1 tbsp. l. for 10 liters of water. If divorced, then you need to know in what proportions. Also, before applying, you should find out the acidity of the soil.If the soil is acidic, acid can only increase acidity.

This will negatively affect most of the crops that grow on the site.

Signs of lack of phosphorus in the soil

Notice the lack of phosphorus in the soil is quite simple. The main thing is to monitor the appearance of crops growing on the site.

Signs of insufficient nutrition:

• The stems and leaves of the bushes become darker over time, turning purple.
• Leaves become smaller, begin to wilt and fall off.
• Dark spots begin to appear on the lower leaves.
• The plant becomes bushy.
• Bushes slow down growth and become low.
• The rhizome is developing poorly.
• Deformation of leaves occurs.
• Due to the underdeveloped root system, the stem falls out of the ground.

All these negative consequences can be avoided if you regularly fertilize the soil. But, before applying fertilizer to the soil, it is important to understand why this happened.

Why is there a deficiency of phosphorus in the soil?

Deficiency of phosphorus in the soil can occur for various reasons.

Most common reasons:

• Incorrect fertilization of the soil.
• Crops that grew earlier on the site absorbed all the phosphorus, and its deficiency was not subsequently replenished.
• Seedlings grown incorrectly.
• The transition of phosphorus into forms that are difficult for plants to digest.
• Excessive load on the soil. The soil does not have time to recover between harvesting and planting seedlings.

Phosphorus-containing fertilizers should be applied in the fall after harvest. During the winter, all elements will be able to pass into the soil complex and the plants will not lack phosphorus.

Features of application on the site

Water-soluble top dressings are common among gardeners due to their versatility. As the name suggests, they need water. Suitable for all soil types.

Sparsely soluble fertilizers are the least popular. This is due to the fact that they need acid. This fertilizer is only suitable for acidic soils. Mainly used in autumn.

The composition of sparingly soluble phosphate dressings includes phosphate rock. It is because of its content that fertilizer is difficult to dissolve in liquid. It can be completely dissolved only in sulfuric or nitric acid.

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