Complex fertilizers
Complex fertilizers are very convenient to use, because they contain several nutrients needed by plants at once. But they also have their downsides. Let’s study them in detail

It is human nature to strive to optimize their labor costs, time and money. This also applies to cottage business. Everyone wants to buy a package of fertilizer in order to “feed” potatoes and cabbage, flowers and apple trees right away. And it would be nice if such “food” was enough for them for a long time. Moreover, so as not to harm yourself or nature. Therefore, many pay attention in garden centers to complex fertilizers.

A good complex fertilizer should have a rich composition that will affect plant growth, fruiting, disease resistance throughout the growing season and at the same time not accumulate harmful substances in the soil.

What are complex fertilizers

Complex fertilizers are presented on our market in the form of dry and liquid mixtures. These are predominantly complex mixtures of mineral fertilizers from 2 or more nutrients. For the most part, complex fertilizers contain the main macronutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and many are enriched with microelements.

The packaging indicates not only the main substances that make up the complex fertilizer, but also the ratio or percentage content (1).

The value of complex fertilizers

For the harmonious development of horticultural crops, it is necessary to obtain from the soil not only the main macroelements (nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus), but also iron, calcium, magnesium, the most important microelements. At the same time, in different periods of plant development, the needs for certain nutrients differ.

Modern brands of complex fertilizers allow not only to provide plants with complex nutrition, but also take into account their needs at different periods of their development. For summer residents, complex fertilizers are produced with the marking “spring-summer” or “summer-autumn”. This reduces the cost of carrying out agrotechnical measures in accordance with the needs of plants (2).

Types and names of complex fertilizers

According to the method of production, complex fertilizers are divided into complex, complex-mixed and mixed. The form can be solid (in the form of powder or granules) or liquid. In addition to mineral, complex fertilizer may also contain organic substances.

Complex fertilizers – This is the result of a chemical reaction when several elements are built into one molecule. Therefore, they are more efficient.

Mixed fertilizers – the result of the mechanical connection of several macro and microelements. Therefore, to achieve a good effect, they are applied to the soil strictly according to the instructions and mainly in the autumn. Such complexes often consist of two components, in order to achieve their goal they have to be supplemented with a single-component fertilizer.

In practice, gardeners most often use complex fertilizers containing the main nutrients, the so-called three-component, although in practice, in addition to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, they may contain sulfur, calcium and magnesium, and some trace elements.

Ammophos Highly effective concentrated fertilizer (NP from 11:42 to 12:52), recommended for all soils and for all crops.

Diammophos. A more concentrated form of fertilizer (NP 21:53).

Ammofoska. In addition to nitrogen and phosphorus, it contains potassium, sulfur, and small amounts of calcium and magnesium.

Nitrophoska. Contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium chloride (NPK 12:12:12).

Nitroammophoska. Also contains the main nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK 18:18:18), recommended for soils poor in phosphorus and for plants that do not tolerate chlorine.

Nitrofos. This fertilizer contains only nitrogen and phosphorus (NP 20:20) and is used in soils with low potassium requirements.

Potassium nitrate. Fertilizer contains 2 nutrients – nitrogen and potassium (NK 13:46), refers to non-ballast fertilizers, highly soluble in water.

Potassium monophosphate. In its composition, phosphorus and potassium (PK 50:33) is one of the best water-soluble and highly concentrated phosphate fertilizers. Does not contain harmful impurities. Good for drip systems.

For particularly valuable plants, many summer residents use AVA brand long-acting fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements.

The composition of complex fertilizers may vary depending on the manufacturer. For ease of use, complexes are often labeled with the words “spring” and “autumn”, emphasizing that nitrogen prevails in the fertilizer for spring and early summer, and its content is minimal in autumn.

Complex fertilizer brands Aquarin, BioMaster и Mortar dissolve without sediment in water and are recommended for protected ground. These fertilizers are produced with ratios of NPK 20:16:10 and NPK 10:5:20 + magnesium.

There are also other brands of complex mineral fertilizers, so always pay attention to the digital content of macronutrients.

Liquid complex fertilizers (suspensions or solutions) can be applied throughout the growing season. They are lightweight and easy to use. Often mixtures of trace elements are introduced into the composition, in some cases – growth biostimulants.

Organo-mineral fertilizers (OMU) are very popular among summer residents, since in addition to a complex of mineral substances they also contain organic matter. Such fertilizers are obtained by treating organic matter (peat, shale, etc.) with ammonia and phosphoric acid, or by mixing manure or peat with phosphate fertilizers. It is believed that WMD plant nutrition improves fruit quality, increases yields and is safe for the soil. The most common are organo-mineral fertilizers of the Buisky Fertilizers brand and various humic complexes.

Application of complex fertilizers

The use of complex fertilizers requires compliance with certain rules:

  • on light soils, fertilizers should be applied before or immediately at sowing, on heavy soils – in the fall when preparing the soil;
  • apply dry fertilizers for digging or between rows with embedding in the soil;
  • apply liquid fertilizers only on moist soil strictly under the root, avoiding contact with leaves and stems;
  • foliar top dressing should be carried out in dry weather in the morning or in the evening and only in the first third of the growing season;
  • strictly observe the dosages recommended by the fertilizer manufacturer.

Please note that the concentration of dry complexes for foliar top dressing should be lower than for top dressing under the root.

Pros and cons of complex fertilizers

The advantages of complex fertilizer include:

  • optimal set of nutrients;
  • high content of nutrients;
  • the possibility of application with a lack of moisture in the soil;
  • ease of use;
  • optimum efficiency-price ratio.

The combination of different nutrients in one granule ensures uniform distribution in the soil and increases their digestibility.

The disadvantage of complex fertilizers, perhaps, is one – they do not take into account the diversity of the plant world. Therefore, during the season it is necessary to monitor the condition of the plants and, if necessary, carry out additional feeding with one or another nutrient element in accordance with the signs of its deficiency (3).

The use of complex fertilizers in the garden and vegetable garden

For the correct selection of complex fertilizers, it is important to take into account the quality of the soil and the composition of the plants. The fertilizer market is so wide that you can choose the optimal composition for any soil.

Universal complex fertilizers can be used for feeding any plants. However, individual crops need special fertilizers, this primarily concerns acidophiles (lovers of acidic soil) – blueberries, rhododendrons, etc., as well as conifers and roses. Special complexes have been developed and produced for them.

Manufacturers followed the same path, producing complex fertilizers for strawberries and berry bushes, beets and onions, etc. But here it’s already worth carefully reading the composition and deciding whether you need such a variety of fertilizers or you can limit yourself to a universal composition.

Popular questions and answers

We asked about complex fertilizers agronomist Oleg Ispolatov – he answered the most popular questions of summer residents.

What natural fertilizers can be called complex?

By and large, all organic matter consists of a whole complex of nutrients. For example, wood ash, depending on the source of its production, contains up to 74 macro- and microelements, but it does not contain the most important – nitrogen.

Therefore, the use of natural fertilizers requires a good knowledge of their composition, because even in compost, depending on the method of its preparation, the content of one or another nutrient element can vary greatly.

Is it possible to apply complex fertilizers in the spring?

For the spring application of complex fertilizer, brands with a high nitrogen content are chosen to stimulate plant growth at the beginning of the growing season. Under trees and shrubs, as well as perennials, fertilizer is scattered and buried in the soil. For planting and sowing, they are brought in 1 to 3 weeks during soil preparation.

In the spring, you can also use liquid top dressing directly under the root.

Is it possible to use complex fertilizers for growing indoor plants?

Not only possible, but necessary. Just be sure to follow the dosage. It is convenient to use fertilizer sticks, which contain a complex of nutrients and release them gradually.

Long-acting fertilizers include many other types of complex fertilizers – from professional brands Osmokot and Plantofol to ion-exchange substrates.

Sources of

  1. Yagodin B.A., Zhukov Yu.P., Kobzarenko V.I. Agrochemistry (under the editorship of Yagodin B.A.) // M .: Kolos, 2002
  2. Kovalev N.D., Atroshenko M.D., Deconnor A.V., Litvinenko A.N. Fundamentals of agriculture and crop production // M .: Selkhozizdat, 1963
  3. Osipov A.I. The role of fertilizers in soil fertility and plant nutrition // Health is the basis of human potential: problems and ways to solve them, 2020 https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/rol-udobreniy-v-plodorodii-pochv-i-pitanii-rasteniy

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