Linda Choker-Stone, an assistant professor of agricultural science at Washington State University, has revolutionized the concept of mineral fertilizers. Based on scientific research and her own experience, she has debunked many myths associated with feeding.
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Phosphorus affects root formation, and nitrogen affects shoot growth
This statement has long become an axiom. According to the scientist, this statement arose due to the use of phosphorus as a fertilizer in large farms.
Phosphorus is easily washed out, so its deficiency is replenished with an abundance of phosphorus fertilizers.
In parks, plants find themselves in stressful conditions of lack of moisture, dirty air and lack of proper care. Excess phosphorus leads to reddening of the leaves.
Perennial crops are more likely to suffer from nitrogen deficiency.
Excess nitrogen does not harm, but phosphorus contributes to the development of glandular chlorosis due to impaired absorption of iron and manganese. In addition, excess phosphorus disrupts mycorrhiza, a symbiosis of fungi and roots that helps in the absorption of minerals.
Better to give preference to nitrogen fertilizing. If this does not help, spray the plant before adding phosphorus to the ground: if the leaves look healthier, feel free to fertilize the roots.
Use a natural mulch.
Phosphorus contributes to the good development of roses
Florists often recommend sprinkling the ground before planting roses with a huge amount of auxiliary substances: phosphate, phosphorite, triple superphosphate. How justified is this amount of chemistry in the soil?
The scientist carefully studied all the available studies on this issue and did not find confirmation of the benefits of such an amount of phosphorus fertilizers for roses.
Phosphate fertilizers kill the fungi needed for crop development. This leads to a decrease in biological activity in the soil and frequent flower diseases.
Give up this type of fertilizer. Roses rarely suffer from a lack of phosphorus, which is better replaced with organic matter or complex fertilizers.
The versatility of bone meal
Only manure bypasses bone meal in terms of frequency of use. Its supporters claim that it reduces transplant stress, saturates the soil with calcium and phosphorus.
The high concentration of the above substances is hazardous to the soil. Plants are forced to devote all their strength to the formation of roots.
Bone meal promotes root development to the detriment of the aerial part. Bone meal is toxic to members of the Protein family.
Discard bone meal. If it appears that the soil is critically deficient in phosphorus, it is recommended to analyze the composition of the soil. If the phosphorus level is exceeded, then you can either stop the application of phosphorus-containing fertilizers, or restore the balance with ammonium, magnesium, iron or zinc sulfate.
The effectiveness of foliar dressing
Many gardeners argue that the processing of the aboveground part of the plants is much more effective than fertilizing at the root. How true is this?
The leaves are really good at absorbing fertilizing, but this is not a reason to give up root fertilization. Foliar dressings are suitable for testing the condition of the plant.
Some crops do not accept foliar fertilization well, and this can destroy them. The wrong concentration of top dressing can burn the leaves.
Injection efficiency
This myth has gained popularity in the West: local fertilization delivers nutrients faster.
The injection really gives a quick result, but does not solve the problem in the long term.
Choker-Scott proved that trees fertilized in this way are more likely to suffer from diseases. In addition, injections are not always needed.
Before giving the plant an injection, make sure that the leaves, for example, really turn yellow from a lack of substances, and not because of weather conditions. It is not recommended to inject into the tree trunk. It is best to mulch the trunks to avoid washing out the minerals.
Do you know what fertilizers you should always have on hand?
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