Single-ingredient fertilizersallow you to supplement the soil with specific, selected nutrients that are lacking in plants. The most commonly used mineral fertilizers from this group arenitrogen fertilizers , such as calcium ammonium nitrate and soil acidifying ammonium sulphate. Gardeners also commonly usepotassium fertilizersandphosphorus fertilizersSee which one-component fertilizers are the best, what properties they have and how to apply them.
One-component fertilizers
Our plants often lack only one nutrient in the soil.Using multi-component fertilizers (so-called universal), apart from the missing one, we also introduce other elements into the soil environment. Those that are not taken up by plants either regress to an unabsorbable form or, worse, are washed into groundwater and other watercourses.
Therefore, more and more often you can meet the so-calledsingle-ingredient fertilizers , which contain one or two nutrients. Their main advantage is the precise provision of the missing elements to the plant, which results in higher fertilization efficiency. Such fertilizers are typicalnitrogen fertilizers(calcium ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate) andpotassium fertilizers(potassium sulphate and potassium s alt) andphosphorus fertilizers(superphosphate).
Nitrogen fertilizers
Nitrogen is a building component responsible for the growth and development of the plant, while potassium is responsible, among others, for it is responsible for the transport of nutrients and water, it takes part in the plant's growth processes, it also strengthens the tissues as well as the flowering and rooting of plants.
Nitrogen fertilizersshould therefore be used to feed plants in the first months of the growing season, when abundant tissue growth and plant development are observed. Plants growing in soils rich in this nutrient delight the eyes with correct growth and a beautiful green color. Virtually all plants are fertilized with nitrogen, except for early vegetables, which should be carefully dosed with nitrogen.
One of the basic nitrogen fertilizers is ammonium nitrate, which contains in its composition the nitrate (fast-acting) and ammonium (nitrogen-releasing slower) forms of nitrogen. Due to the presence of both these forms of nitrogen,ammonium nitrate is a universal fertilizerfor both pre-sowing (shortly before sowing in spring) and top dressing applications. This fertilizer can be used for all plants. However, it should be remembered thatammonium nitrate is a physiologically acidic fertilizerand it should not be used on excessively acidic soils and plants that do not tolerate the acidic pH of the soil.
Anothernitrogen fertilizer acidifying the soilis ammonium sulphate. Compared to ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate acidifies the soil even more. Therefore, it is recommended for use in the cultivation of acidophilic plants, such as rhododendrons, conifers or blueberry. This fertilizer contains 21% nitrogen, and the ammonium form of nitrogen guarantees a long-lasting fertilization effect. It is used for acidophilic plants from March to August.
When ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate cannot be used, calcium ammonium nitrate is useful.Calcium ammonium nitrate is a universal nitrogen fertilizer that does not acidify the soil.It consists of ammonium nitrate with the addition of calcium carbonate, in the form of e.g. dolomite flour, containing calcium and magnesium. Therefore, calcium ammonium nitrate can be used on all types of soil. It is characterized by relatively fast and durable action. It contains 27.5% of total nitrogen and small amounts of calcium oxide (3.5%) and magnesium oxide (4%).The chemical structure of the granules of this fertilizer allows for more effective nitrogen uptake into the plant's root system. The use of calcium ammonium nitrate is identical and its composition is very similar to that of calcium ammonium nitrate.
Potash fertilizers
In addition to nitrogen, plants require other macronutrients, e.g. potassium, for proper growth and development. A very popular andeffective potassium fertilizer is potassium sulphate , containing 50% potassium and 18% water-soluble sulfur. Sulfur is a very important nutrient for the plant - it is a component of amino acids, proteins and fats, in the synthesis of which it also takes part. This fertilizer is recommended for the cultivation of plants sensitive to sulfur deficiency in the soil, such as cruciferous vegetables or common garlic. It is also great for fertilizing plants sensitive to chlorides, such as: red currant, gooseberry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, peach, cherry, beans, broad beans, cucumber, melon, onion, lettuce, and potato.
The secondpopular potassium fertilizer is potassium chloride , offered in garden and agricultural stores under the trade namepotassium s altIt is a granulated fertilizer containing 60% potassium oxide (K₂O) soluble in water. It is an affordable and widely available potassium fertilizer. However, it is suitable for fertilizing chloride-loving plants and plants that tolerate a higher concentration of chloride in the soil. Chloride-loving plants include, for example, celery. Chloride-tolerant plants are: corn, asparagus, head cabbage, red beet or rhubarb.
Potassium fertilizers should be used before sowing- on heavy soils in autumn, and on light soils, of which potassium is easily washed away, in the spring. On light soils, it is even reasonable to divide the potassium fertilizer into 2 doses, one for pre-sowing and the other for top dressing. Importantly,potassium fertilizers are usually applied to the soil , because plants take up potassium only through the roots.Foliar fertilization with this ingredient usually does not bring any results.
Phosphorus fertilizers
Another great fertilizer issuperphosphate, which contains 20% phosphorus . This fertilizer is especially recommended for pre-sowing application, thanks to which the plants take root faster.
Phosphorus fertilizers should be used mainly in autumne.g. before digging up flower beds. A good solution is also the use of phosphorus fertilizers on the lawn in September - thanks to this, the plants will be better prepared for the coming winter. You should also remember to provide this nutrient when fertilizing the grapevine, as the grapevine is sensitive to phosphorus deficiency in the soil. Phosphorus fertilizers can also be used after planting the plants. Thanks to this, the plant will be able to use this ingredient to build new root growth.
