Minerals are used in agriculture and horticulture to improve crop growth. A good way to get them is to use a fertilizer such as ammonium sulphate. This compound consists of elements such as sulfur and nitrogen. So how to use it and how to dose?
Ammonium sulfate - properties
Ammonium sulfate is a chemical compound that is easily soluble in water. It occurs in granular form or forms colorless crystals.It has acidifying properties, therefore, when added to the soil, it lowers its pH. Ammonium sulphate consists of nitrogen and sulfur. The latter element, which is an essential component in plant development, allows for a better uptake of nitrogen and micro and macro elements. The supply of ammonium sulphate improves plant growth and rooting, increases yield and improves stress resistance during the growing season.
When to use ammonium sulfate?
Ammonium sulphate works well on soils with alkaline and neutral pH. Also used on acidic, limed soils. After the winter, the soil is sterile in sulfur and nitrogen compounds, so it is good to start fertilizing the soil in spring with granulated ammonium sulphate. It should be applied before sowing seeds. The fertilizer granules are mixed with the soil. Ammonium sulphate can also be used before cultivation treatments and before the expected rainfall.
It is used for all crops to improve the quality of the crop.These can be: winter and spring crops, vegetables, industrial or root crops. In spring, ammonium sulphate can be fertilized: rapeseed, leek, mustard, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, legumes, onions, garlic and horseradish. Fertilized potatoes will give a crop richer in starch.
Ammonium sulfate - dosage
Ammonium sulphate is not leached from the soil. It is slowly absorbed by plants. As a result, it affects rooting, supports phosphorus absorption and properly doses potassium uptake. Sulfur in the fertilizer has a sulphate form, which is very quickly absorbed by plants. The substrate treated with these ingredients prevents the loss of sulfur from the soil.
In the case of fertilizing conifers, perennials, azaleas or other ornamental shrubs, 30 g / m2 of ammonium sulphate is used. Half a portion is used before the beginning of vegetation, and another portion at the beginning of June. When considering how to use ammonium sulfate to fertilize vegetables, it is worth knowing that 20 - 40 g / m2 is added.In order to supplement the minerals on the lawn, the fertilizer is dosed with ammonium sulphate in the amount of 15 - 20 g / m2. If an acidic reaction of the soil was observed in the area of cultivation, below pH=6, then it is recommended to use fertilization in 2 - 3 doses. It can also be used in the fall.
Ammonium sulphate costs about PLN 800 for 500 kg of fertilizer. In small quantities, it is available to private gardeners in packages, e.g. 2 kg of fertilizer, the price of which is about PLN 10.
Fertilizing blueberry
American blueberry requires development in acidic soil. When planting it into the ground, the soil is specially acidified. Blueberry does not have too high nutritional requirements, but the key to its cultivation is good fertilization. It has a shallow root system and does not absorb minerals from the lower parts of the soil. Therefore, nitrogen compounds must be supplied to it by watering or sprinkling the substrate. Granular or dissolved ammonium sulphate is used for this purpose.
During the growing season, blueberries are fertilized with ammonium sulphate in the amount of 30 - 45 g / m2. This procedure can be repeated three times at intervals of two weeks (in three doses). The first fertilization is applied in early spring, after frost. The last one at the end of June. If done too late, the bushes may freeze in winter.
If the crop is left without fertilization, the soil becomes sterile. Nitrogen is easily leached from the soil by rain. The sawdust bedding also reduces the absorption of fertilizer. Without fertilization, American blueberry may grow poorly and yield little. Sometimes it will even stop growth completely, the leaves will turn yellow and the bush will be susceptible to infections. In the absence of nitrogen, young growths will turn red.
