Content
Without fertilizing, you cannot grow a crop even on fertile soils. In households and industrial fields, fertilizers containing basic and additional chemical elements are used. These are sources of plant nutrition. Among their types, chelated fertilizers can be distinguished. They have advantages over conventional ones and increase agricultural productivity.
The importance of trace elements in plant life
Nature has assigned microelements many functions in the life of plants. They help to most fully absorb essential nutrients, water and solar energy. Microelements are part of enzymes that regulate the course of biochemical processes in plant cells. They enhance the ability of tissues to regenerate, improve resistance to adverse environmental influences, such as heat, cold, dry air and soil, excessive humidity, temperature changes and lack of lighting.
A lack of microelements leads to weakening and poor condition of plants, slower development and flowering, and deterioration of fruiting. As a result, productivity decreases. The fruits become small, ugly and tasteless, their number decreases.
Trace elements participate in all vital plant processes
Signs of micronutrient deficiency in plants
Despite the fact that microelements are contained in very small quantities in plants, their deficiency greatly affects their vital functions. Iron is part of enzymes, participates in the metabolism and synthesis of chlorophyll, in oxidation and reduction reactions, and cell respiration. Iron cannot move into young tissues from old ones, so its deficiency can be noticed on the upper leaves: they become yellowish and whitish, shoot growth slows down.
Manganese is involved in photosynthetic processes, the synthesis of sugars and vitamins, activates enzymes necessary for nitrogen metabolism and other reactions, and regulates water balance. Its deficiency is detected first on the upper leaves: yellowness appears between the veins, but they themselves remain green. With further deficiency, spots appear on the leaves and their growth slows down.
Copper regulates photosynthesis, is included in enzyme composition, and increases plant resistance to fungal diseases, drought, heat and cold. Its deficiency is manifested by curling and withering of leaves, the appearance of chlorotic spots, darkening and dying of the edges of leaf blades. Plants become infected with fungal diseases more than usual.
Molybdenum improves calcium nutrition, is involved in respiration and photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism and enzyme synthesis.The lack of this microelement is a red or orange border on the leaves, their deformation and death, and the growth of shoots is stopped. In fruits with a lack of molybdenum, the concentration of nitrates increases and the content of vitamin C decreases.
You can notice the lack of microelements by the appearance of leaves and stems
Zinc is involved in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and phosphorus, in the synthesis of vitamins and auxins, and affects fruit set. The deficiency is manifested by yellowing and discoloration of young leaves, their deformation and reduction, the appearance of gray-brown and bronze spots scattered over the surface of the leaf. They turn brown and die. The stems become fibrous and thin, the inflorescences stop growing and may fall off. The root system rots.
Boron affects the development of tissues, especially young ones (at growth points), regulates the number of phytohormones, and activates vital processes occurring in cells. Stimulates flowering, increases the number of fruits, makes plants resistant to diseases, including viral ones. Its deficiency manifests itself on the tops, burns are visible on them, they bend and die. The leaves become thinner and brittle, necrotic tissue appears between the veins, and the stems acquire a reddish color. Seed ripening is disrupted.
Fertilizers with microelements in chelated form
To normalize the content of microelements in plant cells, it is necessary to constantly fertilize plants with complex fertilizers. It is recommended to use those in which microelements are in chelated form. Chelates are a combination of a trace element and an organic substance in one molecule; in this form, the elements are absorbed most fully.
Fertilizers in chelated form can be used for root watering and foliar spraying, for pre-sowing seed treatment. You can mix them with regular fertilizers that do not contain microfertilizers, and prepare solutions for drip irrigation.
Types of chelated fertilizers
The main microelements vital for plants, with the participation of which chelate fertilizers are produced, are zinc, iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, boron, molybdenum. In accordance with this, there are zinc and copper chelates, etc. By the name of the chelated fertilizer, you can understand which element is included in its composition.
Microelements bind chelating components:
- EDTA (for soils with acidity pH 1.5-6).
- DTRA (with acidity pH 1.5-7).
- EDDNA (with acidity pH 3-10).
- EDF (with acidity pH 4.5-11).
Typically, the type of chelating agent is indicated on the packaging. One preparation may contain 1 microelement (monochelates) or several (complex). They are available in powder (microcrystals) and liquid form.
Chelated fertilizers are available in professional (canister) packaging and in small containers for home use
Pros and cons of use
Chelates have undeniable advantages over trace element compounds in inorganic salts:
- dissolves well in water;
- easy to digest;
- do not change properties even in highly acidic soils;
- in this form, trace elements are protected from destabilization by other elements;
- perfectly absorbed by the roots and leaves of plants;
- non-toxic to plants and soil;
- are washed out of the soil more slowly;
- combined with pesticides and complex fertilizers (taking into account manufacturers' recommendations).
The disadvantage of chelated fertilizers is the cost, which is higher than conventional ones. The price also depends on the strength of the chelates themselves. Otherwise, they are superior to simple mixtures with microelements in many respects.
What plants are chelates used for?
Solutions can be watered and sprayed on vegetables, fruits, berries, ornamental crops, garden and indoor flowers (for example, chelated fertilizer for roses is popular among those who grow roses for cutting, which improves the size and quality of the flower). They have no restrictions on their use, since all plants need microelements for normal life.
Root watering is one of the ways to apply chelated fertilizers
When and how to use chelated fertilizers correctly
To achieve the best effect from chelates, they must be applied at certain periods of plant growth. For example, to process:
- Seeds before sowing. Soaking in a fertilizer solution can be combined with dressing; at the same time, it is possible to disinfect the seeds and increase their germination.
- Seedlings and saplings. Watering with a chelate solution after transplantation speeds up the establishment and development of plants in a new place, helps them quickly adapt, get used to non-standard environmental conditions, and resist infections.
- Crops before flowering, which ensures multiplication and preservation of the ovary.
- During the period of fruit growth. The yield and quality increase, they become sweeter, the tubers are starchy, they are stored longer, and there is a reduction in nitrate content.
Chelates can be combined with pesticides, watered or sprayed on crops with solutions after chemical treatment. This allows plants to recover faster after using agrochemicals.
Methods of using chelated fertilizers
Crystalline and liquid chelated fertilizers can be used to prepare a solution. The seeds are soaked in it, watered at the root of the plant and sprayed. At the same time, there is a significant effectiveness of foliar feeding, since microelements immediately enter the leaf tissue and are quickly completely absorbed by the plant.
Watering at the roots has some drawbacks - if there is excessive moisture, some of the chelate elements will go into the soil, after which they will become unavailable to the crops. The problem can be solved using drip irrigation, which delivers water and substances dissolved in it to the roots of plants locally and in doses.
Chelated fertilizers can be added to drip irrigation system watering solutions
How to make chelated fertilizers with your own hands
Usually you can find liquid chelated fertilizers on sale. They are produced in this form because they are easy to use - you need to measure the required volume and dissolve it in water. Chelates in crystalline form also need to be dissolved in water, as indicated in the instructions.
It turns out that you can make such fertilizers (copper and iron chelate) at home. You will need reagents: copper and iron sulfate, citric acid and pure distilled water.
Sequence of preparation of chelated fertilizers:
- Dissolve 8 g of iron sulfate in 2 liters of water.
- Dissolve 5 g of acid in another 2 liters of water.
- Slowly pour the first solution into the second, stirring the liquid without interruption.
- Add another 1 liter of water to the resulting volume.
The output will be 5 liters of iron chelate fertilizer.It should be transparent, without turbidity or sediment, and have an orange color. It must be used immediately. It cannot be diluted; if a larger volume is required, a new batch must be prepared.
Chelated copper fertilizer is prepared in the same way, but take ascorbic acid (40 g) and copper sulfate (20 g).
Homemade chelated fertilizers are not stored and are less effective than industrial ones, so it is recommended to use them for preventive use, and not for quickly treating plants from micronutrient deficiencies.
Conclusion
Chelated fertilizers, as follows from the practice of using them on farms and private farms, are much more effective than simple complex fertilizers with microelements. They are easy to use; there is no need to prepare complex solutions to feed vegetables or trees; you just need to dissolve the required amount of chelates in water. Despite the fact that such fertilizers are expensive, the cost of purchasing them will quickly pay off after harvesting.
