Fertilizer for budget farming - potassium chloride
It is possible to get a rich harvest only if all the rules of agricultural technology for growing crops are observed. For this reason, potassium chloride, a fertilizer that enriches the soil with nutrients, should be included in the top supplements for plant care. Nevertheless, when using this inorganic composition, it is necessary to take into account some features of the chemical elements. A competent approach to business, that is, knowing in which cases it is better to use this particular feeding, will be a guarantee of success.
Potassium chloride - a fertilizer with unique properties
It should be noted that chloride compounds:
- burn out starch from vegetation;
- reduce the amount of proteins during fetal development;
- affect the taste and aroma of crops.
Despite such a unique composition of potassium chloride fertilizer, in a reasonable concentration, the mineral supplement helps to increase the immunity of plants. In turn, this serves as an excellent prevention against many dangerous diseases, as well as pests. At the same time, chlorine removes nitrates accumulated in the soil.
The presence of a phenomenal potassium indicator:
- significantly improves the quality characteristics of the crop;
- eliminates the development of pathogenic microbiotics at the cellular level;
- increases frost resistance of vegetable crops;
- accelerates the development of young shoots.
Due to the unique chemical properties of potassium chloride, the likelihood of dehydration of crops is reduced. Under proper conditions for the growth and development of plants, the shelf life of the fruits increases.
For ease of use, the bait is available in the form:
- granules;
- powder mixture;
- crystals.
Depending on the percentage of potassium content, the fertilizer is classified into 2 grades: first (58%) and second (60%).
The colors of irregularly shaped pressed granules are quite varied:
- whitish gray;
- red-brown;
- pink;
- brown;
- white.
In most cases, manufacturers produce mineral fertilizers with various kinds of micro-additives. Often, for complex mixtures are selected: boron, zinc or copper.
A separate point is to highlight the excellent solubility of potassium chloride in water. As the physical characteristics of KCl show, at a temperature of 0 ° C, 28.1 g of a substance dissolves in 100 ml of liquid, at 20 ° C - 34 g, and at 100 ° C - 56.7 g. In different forms of releases, the mass fraction of water has the following values: granules - 0.5%, crystals - 1%. Due to these features, the inorganic additive perfectly dissolves in soil substrates, which allows chemical compounds to enter into exchange reactions with the main components of the soil.
Potassium chloride applications or when extreme precision is required
The main method of applying granular fertilizing is for autumn plowing / digging. Thus, under the influence of heavy rainfall, chlorine is washed out and sinks into deeper layers of the soil. As a result, the negative impact of the aggressive microelement is reduced to nothing. With respect to potassium compounds, they are adsorbed upon contact with moisture. This allows nutrients to stay in the topsoil for an unusually long time.
When processing lighter types of soils, it is recommended to add granular potassium chloride during cultivation. However, in this case, a small amount of mineral fertilizers.
Fertile and humus-rich soils do not need potassium supplements. But for depleted plots of land, not only KCl is used, but also nitrogen-phosphorus complexes.
To contribute or not to contribute
A deficiency or an overdose of potassium chloride fertilization are quite serious aspects when using top dressing. Therefore, farmers must learn to determine the plant's need for this trace element. Most often, a lack of potassium is observed on sandy and peaty soils.
It is determined by the following criteria:
- the green mass acquires an unnatural pallor;
- brown spots / blotches appear;
- the edges of the leaves "rust", curl;
- stems / shoots become weak and thin;
- the development of the seedling slows down;
- fungal diseases progress;
- postponement of the budding process, and as a result of fruiting.
With such symptoms, the use of potassium chloride fertilizer is recommended. At the same time, it is worth making sure that there is no excess of KCl.
After all, he also harbors other dangers that manifest themselves in a completely different way:
- the growth of green mass stops;
- the shade becomes bluish;
- leaves on the lower tier begin to wrinkle;
- the distance between the branches is reduced;
- necrotic spots appear in the rhizome area.
In addition, farmers warn that the excessive content of inorganic groundbait in the soil leads to a decrease in the fertility of the site. In the soil, there is an intensive accumulation of sodium impurities, which negatively affect the vegetation of crops.
Clay types of soils contain a very high percentage of potassium - almost 4%. Sandy substrates are considered the most depleted, since less than 1% of potassium is concentrated in their composition.
Features of feeding
When planting chlorophobic crops, fertilizer is applied in the fall. Adequate precipitation helps wash out the chlorine. At the same time, the site is processed with wood ash, since fertilizer does not mix well with lime and dolomite flour. Ash as well as magnesium serve as excellent neutralizers of hazardous Cl. For this reason, after harvesting, a digging of the garden is organized. The embedment depth is 20-25 cm.
Then a mineral additive is added per 1 m²:
- 10 g for potatoes and tomatoes;
- 20-40 g for cabbage, beets, carrots and berry crops;
- 150 g for fruit varieties, including apple trees (dosage per tree).
The lighter the soil, the more fertilizing will be required. Therefore, it is allowed to increase the dose by 30 g. At the same time, for chernozems, this figure decreases by 25-30 g.
There are some subtleties with regard to feeding squash, zucchini and cucumbers. It is recommended to perform a reaction test before performing the procedure. Under several bushes, 0.5 g of potash composition is applied. After 2-3 days, the planting condition is assessed. If the result is positive, the entire site is processed (up to 3-4 times per season). For greenhouse specimens, KCl is applied only up to 2 times during the entire growing season.
Preparation of a special solution
It often happens that there is nothing else in the household besides potassium chloride. Then the root bait is prepared from granules or crystals.
To get it you need to mix:
- 20-30 g of potash fertilizer;
- 100 g of wood ash;
- 10-15 liters of warm liquid.
All components are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous suspension is formed. Then the resulting solution is left for 24 hours in a utility room. In this case, the container is not covered with a lid so that the chlorine compounds can evaporate slightly.
The calculation of the working fluid is carried out according to the following scheme:
- 0.5 l for cucumbers (1 bush);
- 1 liter per one bush of vegetable crops;
- 3 l for large trees and shrubs.
Instructions for the table: M - allowed to mix, Y - just before use, H - prohibited.
The inorganic composition is excellently combined with organic fertilizers: manure and poultry droppings. Also ammophos, ammonium sulfite and diammophos are boldly added to it.
Rules for the joint use of KCl and urea, superphosphates, nitrate. The listed additives are mixed immediately before the groundbait.
Attention! Chlorophobic plants
Paradoxically, there are crops that react negatively to chlorine. Their productivity indicators are reduced several times. However, they do not tolerate potassium deficiency.
These plants include:
- grapes;
- potatoes (the concentration of starch decreases);
- Strawberry;
- legumes;
- tobacco;
- berry bushes (for example, raspberries taste worse).
Therefore, the dosage, as well as the methods and timing of application, play an important role when adding potassium chloride fertilizer to the soil. As already noted, the event takes place in the fall.
At the same time, potassium-loving plants are considered resistant to the effects of chloride compounds:
- vegetables;
- beets (fodder, sugar);
- sunflower;
- corn;
- cereals;
- herbs (annuals, perennials).
Direct contact of the green mass with KCl should be avoided. This can cause burns from aggressive components.
They start planting crops only after 20-30 days, after adding potassium chloride. The use of this fertilizer in agriculture is associated with the exact observance of dosages and terms.
Knowledge of the listed agrotechnical tricks will help to maximize the success of fertilizing with potassium chloride with minimal harm to plants.