Not every soil is fertile enough to grow a good crop. All sorts of mineral fertilizers help to achieve results in such cases. There are a huge number of them, for different varieties of plants and soil types. The market is filled with products of large companies, for example, such as Meleuzovsky mineral fertilizers, but there is also room for competition. What you need to know about this product? What types of fertilizers are there? How to start a business for their production? Dealing with all these issues is not so difficult.
What it is?
As a rule,
mineral fertilizers are salts that contain the elements necessary for the growth and development of plants. These are
inorganic substances that strongly affect the chemical, physical and biological processes in the soil, transforming the solubility of its nutrients and changing the microbiological composition. Plants through the roots receive all the necessary elements and grow more actively, which is why the overall productivity of the fertilized field or meadow increases markedly. Using correctly, for example, products of the Balakovo Mineral Fertilizers company, you can achieve an excellent effect. Not only productivity will improve, but also product quality. So, in spinning crops the technological properties of fibers increase, in sugar beets, berries and fruits sugar content grows, in grain crops the protein content increases, and in sunflower oil content. Most farms use domestic chemical products, for example, the popular Russian company Voskresensk Mineral Fertilizers, as well as a small amount of natural salts: potassium, sodium, or Chilean, saltpeter, and industrial waste. The amount of substances used per hectare of land is carefully monitored and determined by the regulations.
Types and purpose of fertilizers
These substances have many different classifications. So, for agronomic purposes, you can distinguish direct mineral fertilizers and indirect. The first contains those elements that are needed for the direct nutrition of plants (magnesium, sodium, copper and phosphorus). Indirect are used to improve the physicochemical properties of the soil and usually include gypsum.
In addition, the first species can also be divided into two groups - these are complex mineral fertilizers and unilateral. The latter contain only one nutrient. These include ammonia, calcium, sodium nitrate, urea, superphosphate, precipitate, potassium chloride, potassium salt and micronutrients. Complex mineral fertilizers contain several elements. These include ammophos and nitrophos.
As for the form of release, there are three types of said top dressing. So, there are solid, granular or powder substances (of which, by the way, most). As an example, we can cite the products of the same company, Voskresensk Mineral Fertilizers. Another type is liquid means, for example, ammonia water or ammonia.
The following classification distinguishes between alkaline, neutral and acidic fertilizers. The composition of the former is distinguished by anions, which are easily assimilated by plants, and cations, which alkalize the soil. The latter are the opposite. Finally, neutrals do not affect the state of the soil solution.
Demand in agriculture
The effect of such products becomes more noticeable when using technological cultivation of crops: with stable irrigation, taking into account norms for a specific soil and plant variety, when using organic additives. Most often, mineral fertilizers are used in spring when sowing is in progress. In addition, they can be used in the fall. Additional nutrition for plants can be provided with fertilizing during the growing season. Using responsive varieties guarantees maximum results. Mineral fertilizers can be applied in different ways: it is scattered with the help of airplanes or seeders, and with a plow, harrow or cultivator, and local, in holes or rows. With liquid substances, seeds can be processed before sowing, soaked in solution or pollinated.
Benefit or harm?
In some soils, a serious lack of one element or another is noticeable. Artificially introducing it is a good way to improve the situation. It should also be borne in mind that there are mineral and organic fertilizers, and if the former can be dangerous, the latter are completely harmless to the environment. So, if you are afraid of chemicals, use natural substances such as manure, peat or compost. When used correctly, they are safe for both plants and people. Harm arises only from their overabundance. So, a soil with a high peat content becomes too oily for the crop, and manure can simply burn seedlings. But this will not affect people's health in any way. The danger is only mineral fertilizers. For plants, or rather, for the accelerated growth and ripening of the crop, nitrate and urea are often used. These are nitrate mixtures of nitric acid, they are especially harmful. The fact is that nitrogen salts get from plants to the human body, turning in it into nitrites, which can cause poisoning and even provoke cancer. Therefore, in some countries this type of recharge is prohibited.
What substances do plants need during growth?
One can argue a lot about the dangers of mineral fertilizers, but even natural components are absorbed by plants only after decay into an inorganic form. Therefore, in a sense, it does not matter how to fertilize the soil - with humus or nitrate. In order not to harm your crop, it’s worthwhile to figure out what exactly the plant may require at different stages of its existence and development. During seed germination and up to the formation of inflorescences, the sprouts most need nitrogen. It is needed for the formation of plant tissues, for which it serves as a kind of building material. During the development of buds and buds, phosphorus is most important for plants. And when the plant is preparing for winter, potassium acquires maximum value. Of course, in any of these periods other substances are also needed, and it is impossible to separate the life cycle exclusively into clear periods of consumption of exclusively nitrogen or phosphorus. Nevertheless, knowing such a feature of plant organisms, it is possible to apply fertilizing more competently.
When is fertilizer useless?
Not always introducing additional substances into the soil can produce the expected effect. Even if you take into account the plant life cycle and use the most suitable fertilizers, the result may disappoint you. What are the most common mistakes gardeners make? Most often, the lack of effect is due to the fact that the fertilizer was applied to completely dry soil. Another mistake is the wrong timing for feeding. Some do not manage to properly diagnose the plant visually and choose the right substance. Fertilizer can also be applied in a form that is not available for absorption, or in too large, or, conversely, insufficient quantity. Finally, a poor harvest may not be related to fertilizing at all. Plants can simply become ill or be attacked by beetles; in such cases, the situation cannot be improved with fertilizer alone.
Tips for the proper use of chemicals
For mineral fertilizers to be successful, you need to follow a few simple recommendations. First, use the substances in the complex, not trying to limit yourself only to organics or, conversely, to the finished store mix. Secondly, use any remedy in moderation. Even manure is valid for three years after a single application, to say nothing about mineral fertilizers! Chemistry in unlimited quantities will kill plants or lead to their diseases. And thirdly, when choosing complex products, make sure that they contain both micro and macro elements. Liquid preparations "Giant" or "Gumistar", as well as granular or powder "Agricola" or "Orton" are well suited.
It’s a good idea to give the soil sample for analysis to the laboratory before using the fertilizer. There they will not only tell you what substances are missing, but also help you choose the plants that will grow best with you. If a deficiency of specific elements is detected, use fertilizers with this specific substance, but do not use it all season. A few times will be enough.
If you want to make the mixture yourself, check out some rules. Urea is not combined with ammonium nitrate, in no case should nitrofosk be mixed with potassium chloride. Such mixtures can not only lose their benefits, but also acquire harmful properties.
The number of applications for each culture is different. This question needs to be clarified for all plants, because the application of fertilizers to the eye can be dangerous both for the environment and for human health.
Finally, the weather also matters. On a warm day, fertilizers are absorbed faster and better. If this weather lasts a long time, the next top dressing can be done in a week. But on cold days it is better to wait two. Then you will be able to avoid the accumulation of nitrates in your vegetables and fruits, as well as get a plentiful harvest.
Nitrogen fertilizers as a business
It was previously assumed that the production of such chemicals requires an exceptionally large enterprise, but at the moment it is quite possible to open a small company. A small plant of mineral fertilizers is characterized by a rather high profitability and allows the production of a number of popular additives. On modern equipment, it is best to produce small batches of ammonia recharge. It is the main raw material for nitrogen fertilizers. Previously, this substance was obtained at metallurgical enterprises as a by-product of coke processing. Ammonia is currently produced from petroleum waste. That is why, if there is such an opportunity, it is better to place an ammonia fertilizer plant near oil refining centers or gas pipelines. The transportation of raw materials will require specialized tanks and steel tankers. If the distance for transportation is small, you can create an ammonia pipe. High requirements are also imposed on the storage of raw materials. To do this, you will need either cylinders or ground tanks.
Seasonal classification of fertilizers
You can also choose the right tool using the calendar. Just pay attention to the percentage of nitrogen in the supplement. Fertilizers, which comprise more than five percent, are suitable for use from the very beginning of planting until July 15th. After this date, you should choose products with a nitrogen content of less than five percent. This scheme is suitable for growing any perennial ornamental or fruit crops. If you grow annual vegetables, you need a different scheme. Here it is no longer necessary to focus on the amount of nitrogen, since such plants, in fact, are only in the growth stage, and the process of preparing for winter is not relevant for them at all. If you plan not to use, but to produce such fertilizers, and the amount of equipment does not allow you to produce a wide range, consider this scheme and make mixtures in accordance with the seasons. So you do not have to deal with goods that will sell poorly.
What is the best way to produce?
The most popular are nitrogen fertilizers, the price of which is available to everyone, and the effect is noticeable without much effort. These include nitrate, with which you can increase the acidity of the soil. Another common option is ammonium sulfate from nitrogen and sulfur, which is available in the form of crystalline powder of white, yellow or pink shades. Urea is also considered one of the best fertilizers. It is made in the form of granules or small crystals. The amount of nitrogen in it reaches forty-five percent. In addition, nitrogen fertilizers also include sodium and calcium nitrate, which are used to alkalize soils. The production of any of these types of recharge is quite possible in the format of a small enterprise, and there is a demand for all these products.
Ammonia water
Separately, it is worth considering the cheapest and most common fertilizer. Ammonia water does not require complicated technical operations for its production. Labor costs are also minimal, because the whole process can be fully mechanized. The resulting liquid is very highly effective, so the demand for it is always stable. This fertilizer is a 25 percent
solution of ammonia in water. Its advantage is manifested in the fact that it is suitable for any type of soil and any crop. It is good to use ammonia water for pre-sowing cultivation, for feeding row crops and for the main cultivation of land. To store this product is required in special steel tanks with sealed lids. The only problem is the need to use special equipment for transporting and applying fertilizer to the soil. You cannot use ammonia water without a cultivator. Nevertheless, it is worth considering that such agricultural machinery is quite common, so this disadvantage can hardly be called serious. So, starting a fertilizer business with ammonia water is quite safe and cost-effective. And if the plant pays off only within two years, then such activity can begin to generate income even earlier.
Organic Fertilizer Production
To reach the market more broadly, you can also try to win supporters of natural ingredients. In parallel with the production of chemical fertilizers, begin production of vermicompost. This is a budget tool, the production line of which is quite easy to establish. You will need earthworms and organic waste. Organics processed in this way are considered very beneficial for the soil and are popular with those who do not accept the use of chemicals. If you can establish marketing activities well and inform the maximum number of potential buyers about your product, the demand will be quite high, since vermicompost is an innovative fertilizer that cannot but attract attention. In addition, such a business will help establish links with farmers. You will deliver your products to them, and they will provide organic waste, for example, rabbit droppings, which will process the worms to get the next batch of goods.