We all are well aware of the need for fertilizers for plants. However, not all types of fertilizers are known to modern gardeners. Today we will try to understand the question of what types of fertilizers and their classification exist today and for what purpose it is necessary to apply one or another fertilizer in the garden. This article will be useful not only to beginner gardeners, but also to those who have long been engaged in the cultivation of different types of plants.
General information
There is a classification of fertilizers, where they are divided according to certain characteristics. More details below:
- First of all, the origin of the fertilizer is different. It can be mineral or organic.
- Fertilizers can have different consistency: liquid, solid or semi-liquid.
- They can act directly or indirectly.
- As you know, there are several ways of applying fertilizers to the soil, and according to this criterion they differ accordingly: there is the main method of application, sowing, surface, subsoil and pre-sowing.
- They differ even in the way of plant nutrition. Since some are applied directly under the root, and some only on the leaves and stem.
Origin
Probably, most gardeners know that according to the general classification of fertilizers, they are divided into mineral, organic and chemical. But each of them has its own special origin, which also needs to be known in order to correctly determine the methods of feeding their plants.
Mineral, or chemical, fertilizers are obtained by chemical reactions in special plants and factories. To obtain them, special inorganic substances are used, most often they are well-known mineral salts. The basis of such fertilizers is phosphorus, nitrogen or potassium.
As for organic fertilizers, it becomes clear from the name itself that they are extracted from living components.
There are complex mineral and organic fertilizers, which include not one element, but two or more. The classification of complex fertilizers looks like this: there are simple fertilizers, they contain only one element. There are also mixed dressings, which can be obtained only as a result of the mechanical processing of several elements. And the last group is complex. Complex fertilizer can be obtained only in a special production, by conducting a chemical reaction.
So, then you can understand in more detail the composition of each type of fertilizer, their purpose.
Mineral fertilizers
First you need to understand the variety of types of mineral fertilizers and their classification. Since there are many different aspects that a gardener should know about. Let's start in order.
Classification of nitrogen fertilizers:
In total, there are three types of fertilizers that differ depending on the composition:
- Ammonia It is recommended to apply only in those soils where the acidity level is at a low rate. Since it is under such conditions that the plant assimilates them well, the fertilizer can be stored for a rather long time on the site. Ammonia nitrogen can only be added before sowing and immediately after harvest.
- Nitrates. A solution is prepared from nitrate nitrogen, which is then introduced into the soil. In this regard, they do not have a long action. The first applications are usually carried out with the onset of this spring. Plants absorb such fertilizers pretty well, so gardeners quite often use them as top dressings in the summer.
- Amide nitrogen. Such top dressing acts quite quickly and is especially effective where it is necessary to acidify the soil. If too high temperatures affect the amide nitrogen, it will go into the form of ammonia fertilizers. It is rarely used as the main fertilizer, more often it appears only in the form of top dressing.
Classification of phosphate fertilizers:
- Superphosphate (can be double or simple). Superphosphate is a universal fertilizer that dissolves very well and can be used on the soil of any kind and composition. After immersing it in water, you can not even stir it, since dissolution occurs almost immediately.
- Precipitate. It is soluble exclusively in weak acids. Trying to dissolve it in water is useless, since it is almost impossible. It is recommended to be used only if your site has acidic soil.
- Phosphorite flour. Another fertilizer that is quite difficult to dissolve. use it, like precipitate, on acidic soil. In any other places, plants simply do not absorb it. It is not applied in its pure form, but only after it has been thoroughly mixed with the soil.
Classification of potash fertilizers:
- Potassium chloride. Its first plus is that it is very soluble in water. It is recommended to use in those areas where loamy or clay soil prevails. Inside the soil comes a little slow, but always on time. Plants, in which the root system is greatly weakened, especially need it.
- Potassium salt. Like potassium chloride, it is very soluble. Gardeners most often use potassium salt on sandy soil, because it often needs potassium. It can be used in spring and summer, but it is better to refrain from autumn application, since groundwater very quickly flushes the fertilizer.
This is how the classification of mineral fertilizers and their subgroups looks like.
Microfertilizers
Micronutrient fertilizers are a separate part of fertilizers used in the garden and in vegetable gardens. They usually include boron, zinc, manganese, copper and many other elements that are very useful for plants. Micronutrient fertilizers are not included in the classification of mineral fertilizers.
Microfertilizers should be used with great caution, because if you choose the wrong composition, you can not only not bring benefits to the plant, but also harm it greatly. Such fertilizers are needed to prevent diseases among plants, as well as to combat them. In addition, they have a positive impact on the process of growth and development, and can increase not only the yield, but also the quality of the resulting product, which is especially important in agriculture.
If you decide to use microfertilizers, then it is better to apply them by spraying. So they penetrate much faster into the structure of the plant and begin to act.
In addition to these types of fertilizers, there are several more small groups. Quite often, gardeners use lime fertilizers, which are needed to enrich the soil with potassium, and are also extremely necessary for those gardeners whose sections are completely filled with acidic soils. It is calcareous fertilizers that can significantly reduce this acidity.
And the last group is fertilizers with a chlorine content. They are also very useful, since nitrates leave plants from their use. And also sulfur is included in their composition, which is an excellent way to combat various fungal diseases, which are considered one of the main enemies of the modern garden. Even the dressing of some seeds is carried out with the addition of chlorine-containing fertilizers. If the seeds contain spores of parasitic fungi, they will be immediately destroyed.
Organic fertilizer
The classification of organic fertilizers includes no less names than mineral ones. As already mentioned, organic fertilizers are natural and are produced in wildlife. In other words, this is the result of the life of birds, animals and plants.
Besides the fact that they contain many nutrients, they also have a very positive effect on the water and air nutrition of plants. And also their content in the soil is a guarantee that new microorganisms and bacteria will form there. And also thanks to organic fertilizers, plants increase immunity, they get sick less often, and even if they get sick, they recover much faster.
Manure
Perhaps, manure is the most common organic fertilizer, which is used almost everywhere, especially in rural areas. It has many features that should be mentioned below:
- It is important to know from which animal the fertilizer was obtained. So, in the composition of sheep and horse droppings there are more organic substances and less water, but in a cow or pig, there is more liquid on the contrary.
- Fresh manure is not recommended, as this is fraught with consequences. Most often, it is introduced in the autumn and spring, depending on what condition it is in. And the efficiency of manure can be affected by its quality, the amount introduced into the soil, even the climatic conditions under which the land was fertilized.
- Manure is also considered a good fertilizer due to the fact that its action lasts more than one year, but can be extended for several years.
- It is also important to know that manure differs in bedding, which is in a semi-liquid state, and bedding, which is completely liquid.
Bird droppings
Some gardeners are afraid to use bird droppings, although it is one of the best organic fertilizers. This is especially true for chicken and pigeon droppings. The most suitable time of year for its use is considered autumn. Fertilizer is simply evenly distributed over the earth's surface with a not too thick layer. But liquid feeding with its content is considered more effective.
Peat
This is not to say that peat contains many useful and nutritious substances that plants need so much. However, due to the fact that it has a lot of humus, it can significantly improve the composition of the soil. You can add peat at any time, even in winter. The only condition is the application of lime.
Silt
Probably everyone knows what it is. Silt is deposited at the bottom of various reservoirs. It has in its composition many useful mineral elements, as well as humus. Freshly collected sludge must not be added. Before you combine it with the soil, you need to conduct a thorough ventilation. Sandy soil is especially in need of silt.
Feces
Most cottages are equipped with an outdoor toilet, in the cesspools of which you can find good fertilizer. If you know in advance that you will use the contents of such a pit as fertilizer, then the bottom of it must be laid out with a layer of peat of twenty-five centimeters and periodically, while the pit will be filled, add more peat. There is a double plus to this. Since, firstly, the smell in the toilet will be significantly reduced, and, secondly, the nitrogen contained in the feces will not disappear.
Other organics
Among organic fertilizers, many different groups can be distinguished.
For example, it is very useful to use sawdust and wood bark in the garden. Moreover, such a fertilizer can be easily obtained independently and not spend your own savings on it. Thanks to sawdust and bark, the soil better retains moisture and allows air to pass through, and its fertility is also significantly increased. You can make it only after the substances are re-mixed.
The little-known word "siderata" in the common people means shoots of plants previously growing on this earth. They are plowed in the fall, and in the spring they give the same effect as the fresh manure introduced. Another way to save money and make life a bit easier in the country.
There are also complex organic fertilizers, which include not only organics, but also minerals. Most often they are obtained due to chemical compounds. Basically, such fertilizers are used to feed indoor plants.
Physical properties
The main property experienced gardeners are accustomed to paying attention to is solubility. Since if the fertilizer is poorly soluble in water, this means that it will be more slowly absorbed by the plant. This is due to the fact that flowers, trees and other crops are used to getting all the nutrients together with water. But this does not mean that you need to choose only highly soluble top dressing.
There are many other alternatives. For example, granular or coarse-grained fertilizers, which are not washed out for a long time by water and can act for the whole, or even several seasons.
Now there are even gaseous fertilizers, the use of which is carried out under special conditions.
Conclusion
The classification of fertilizers, the general characteristics of each of them gives us a complete picture of what fertilizers should be used and for what. There are many different fertilizers, each of which has its own special composition and, depending on it, affects the composition of the soil and the plant differently. You can’t say for sure that you need to use one or another fertilizer and no other. Since in this matter you need to rely on the composition of the soil, pay attention to the condition of the plant itself. And, of course, you can’t fertilize the whole garden with one substance, since different plants need different fertilizing. And if nitrogen fertilizer is beneficial to one, then it can simply kill another. The same applies to all other types of feeding.