What fertilizer should be applied when planting potatoes?
Potato is a common crop, with proper planting with soil preparation, as well as with appropriate care, it will please with a decent harvest. It is not always possible to constantly use the richness of the soil without making up for the loss of components in it, which are necessary for the normal growth of various crops, including potatoes. If you annually plant a piece of land with any plants, then the soil on it will become poorer, and therefore it is necessary to periodically restore its properties in order to receive a good harvest in the future.
Why is supplementation necessary?
Experts note that the problem of soil depletion consists not only in the loss of useful elements, but also in the deterioration of acidity. Potatoes will not grow well in acidic soils. There, the yield will be small, and the tubers will be small. And also on such soil, the effectiveness of fertilizers will be small.
There are several common ways in which you can determine the acidity of the soil., for example, by beet leaves or by excess moisture in the soil. Some experts check the acidity by weeds and their number that grow in a particular area. In the event that the soil turns out to be acidic, it must be deoxidized.
But it is also worth remembering that within the same area in different parts of it, the acidity may not be the same.Nevertheless, it is necessary to deoxidize the entire area at the same time in order to restore balance on it.
For potatoes, when planting, acidity also plays an important role. To do this, pour nitroammophoska into the hole in the spring. For this, appropriate top dressing of the soil with fertilizers is also needed. The bulk of useful nutrients for the soil are laid in the spring, when tubers are planted. And also fertilizer can be applied in the fall before processing the soil for the winter.
A prerequisite is the autumn plowing of the land on a shovel bayonet after fertilizing. This will help get rid of weed roots in the area. It is also important to treat the soil with lime or wood ash before winter. Such components are scattered on the surface of the site, and then the soil rolls slightly. During the winter, a reaction occurs, and therefore fertilizers are mixed with the soil and deoxidize it.
Some experts carry out planting of green manure for deoxidation. This is an efficient method.
These cultures include:
- rye;
- sainfoin;
- clover;
- peas and more.
They accumulate negative elements from the soil. In the spring, such plants are removed from the ground immediately after they absorb all the negative components from the soil.
You can use other methods, for example, scatter horse or cow dung over the site. In addition to helping to deoxidize the soil, the products will also improve its structure. The number of components should be 3-6 buckets per hundred square meters. The result of deoxidation will be visible in a short time after the first harvest from the site.
When these procedures are performed correctly, the subsequent deoxidation of the soil should be carried out only after 3 years.But at the same time, it is necessary to constantly monitor the soil and maintain its acidity by carrying out the necessary procedures, for example, making ash, flour or egg shells.
When using green manure for deoxidation, you need to be careful. The thing is that such plants should not be allowed to grow uncontrollably. They are recommended to be cut in the spring and laid out on the site as mulch. This will also help enrich the earth with useful elements and prevent it from freezing in winter. The optimal period for cutting the mulch is until the moment when buds appear on the plants.
What can be fertilized?
A feature of the potato is that it has threadlike and thin roots, which can quickly absorb useful components from the ground and transfer them to tubers or leaves. For this to happen effectively, it is necessary to make a sufficient amount of top dressing in the ground.
If there is no such fertilizer, the crop can be harvested small. The correct use of top dressing makes it possible to increase the yield by 10 times or more, and therefore, for the owners, the advantages of such operations are obvious.
Today, various types of top dressing are used, among which both mineral complexes and chemical fertilizers can be noted. The main thing is not to overdo it, and not to bring them into the hole in large quantities, and also to combine them correctly with each other.
It cannot be said unequivocally that some means are useful for culture, and some are not. When used correctly, they all have their own benefits. But if you approach the process thoughtlessly and without knowledge of the matter, then the result may be the opposite of what was expected.
organic
Among the most common organic fertilizers It is recommended to use and apply the following:
- manure;
- urea;
- ash;
- onion peel.
The most effective will be the use of combined drugs that complement each other and improve performance.
These fertilizers are the basis of natural farming. They differ in natural composition, unlike mineral ones. With the timely and sufficient introduction of such dressings in potatoes, the content of starch, protein and vitamins increases. And also it is reflected in the improvement of its taste. When using fertilizers, you must follow the rules for the preparation of both the material itself and the soil.
Composts
These are plant components based on manure, to which waste grass, straw, etc. are added.
Sawdust
A good tool that helps to mulch the soil. But they can also be used as a fertilizer, mixing with urea in a ratio of one to three. Such work is usually done in the fall, while adding chalk or ash to the composition.
Ash
A universal tool that can improve the condition of the soil. You can scatter it around the site both in the fall and immediately before planting potatoes in the holes. Ash is able to deoxidize the soil, and therefore it can be applied without restrictions on acidic soils. It also restores the alkaline environment of the soil. When the ash is stored, moisture must not be allowed to enter it. This will cause clumping and loss of all nutritional properties.
Litter
Litter can also be used to deoxidize and fertilize the soil. But first it should be diluted in water. And also ready-made mixtures are sold in stores, which must be diluted in liquids in appropriate proportions before use.
All instructions on such compounds are indicated on the packaging.Litter can be in the form of granules or powder. The composition can be thrown into the holes immediately before planting potatoes in small quantities.
mineral
They can be complex or one-component. They are a combination of various mixtures. It is necessary to put such fertilizers into the soil carefully, as they can have a negative effect if used incorrectly. All manufacturer's recommendations are indicated on the packaging, and therefore they must be observed and not exceeded concentrations. If a large amount is applied, the soil will become supersaturated and nitrates will accumulate in the tubers. As a result, potatoes will lose their environmental friendliness.
Nitrogen and potassium are the main components of mineral fertilizers. All of them are highly soluble in water. The main advantage is the strengthening of plants, as well as reducing the likelihood of them being affected by diseases. And also these components are able to increase the yield and improve the taste of potatoes.
The most common fertilizer is ammonium nitrate. Despite the fact that saltpeter itself is a fairly good and effective fertilizer, it will bring more benefits when used in combination with other drugs that contain phosphorus and potassium. Such fertilizers must be applied strictly according to the instructions and in several steps, so as not to oversaturate the soil and not harm it.
Complex
Many plants like these fertilizers, including potatoes. They are able to provide them with all the necessary and useful substances. Preparations can be used at all stages of potato growth, choosing the necessary combinations to ensure a positive result for potato growth. Currently, there are several types of such additives.All of them contain two or more components or trace elements.
Calculation of the required amount
Depending on which fertilizer will be preferred, the amount of its application to the soil is also determined. If it is natural compost, it should be applied at an average of one or two buckets per square meter.
If more is applied, the plant will not suffer from this, but it will need to be watered periodically to allow all useful components to be absorbed into the soil. If mineral fertilizers are used, then they must also be applied in strict accordance with the indicated recommendations that are on the package.
These rules are important, because with insufficient watering and the introduction of a large amount of nitrates, potatoes can burn out or, on the contrary, absorb all the negative substances from the soil and lose their attractiveness in the form of a high-quality and environmentally friendly product.
Dry granules and complex solutions can be used not only during planting, but also for sprinkling the site before weeding or before watering. The main thing is not to overdo it.
Nitrogen-based fertilizers are considered the most effective means for potatoes. A large amount of it is found in manure and ash. It is important to note that early potato varieties need these elements more than late ones. This is due to the fact that in the early varieties of potatoes, the growing season is short and the plants do not have time to accumulate the required amount of elements from the soil, and therefore nitrogen will be a good helper for them during growth. Mineral top dressings have a quick effect and give the bushes all the useful elements that they need. It is important to introduce them in a certain amount into the soil.
During planting, we recommend using the following types of top dressing:
- potassium - 2 kg per 100 square meters;
- saltpeter - 1 kg per hundred square meters;
- ash - 5 kg per hundred square meters;
- nitrophoska - 4 kg per hectare.
In order to correctly determine the norm of the active substance in a particular nutrient compost, it is necessary to independently pre-calculate the norm using some formulas. And you can also use the calculations and norms that experts give.
For example, organic matter is introduced into the soil in buckets. The weight of one bucket is approximately 5-9 kg. Minerals are added in glasses or jars to water.
One glass contains the following amount of fertilizer:
- saltpeter 150 g;
- phosphorus 350 g;
- potassium 190 g;
- superphosphate 200 g;
- lime 120 g;
- bone meal 100 grams.
All these fertilizers can be combined in different variations, but the dose must be observed.
How to feed?
It is necessary to apply and add fertilizers in accordance with the rules that were indicated above. If you put more components, you can harm both the potato and the soil. It is necessary to make exactly based on the calculation with the indicated information on the package. You can additionally fertilize the soil, if necessary, at any time if a lack of nutrients is observed during the growth of potatoes.
But it is also important to pay attention to the factors that affect yield. Depending on this, you can get a different amount of potatoes from the same area.
Among them are the following factors:
- quality of planting material;
- area of residence;
- watering frequency;
- compliance with technology;
- correct processing;
- soil properties;
- effectiveness of pest control.
And also some gardeners are interested in methods for properly fertilizing potatoes.
Today there are two types.
- Local.Fertilizer is applied directly next to the plants.
- Solid. Useful components are scattered over the entire sowing area.
Experts recommend using the first method, as it gives the best result. Manure, straw, litter and other organic means should be taken as fertilizer. And also do not overdo it with doses.
In the event that top dressing is not done on time, then you should not be particularly upset. To do this, you can use manure, which is diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 10 and the tops themselves are processed.
The best option for top dressing is watering before hilling the tops. After such a procedure, the plant will quickly go up, but after a couple of weeks it needs to be fed again. After germination, it is also necessary to fertilize the potatoes. At this time, you will need to apply nitrogen-based products, which will strengthen the plants and improve their growth.
After the potatoes are planted, the soil is fertilized, the owner of the site has a week of rest. During this time, the culture does not need watering, weeding, or top dressing. But after that, the time will begin when you need to spend every day on the site in order to get a good harvest.
The bulk of worries at this time falls on weeding. This will provide an opportunity to provide oxygen to the roots and reduce germination time. And also these manipulations will help protect the tubers from pests, among which the main ones are Colorado potato beetles.
2 weeks after planting potatoes in the ground, you need to dig it a little with a rake. This will not harm the potatoes, but will help to remove the fine weeds on the surface of the soil. After the emergence of tubers, it is worth processing the rows between them. This is done after rain, when a dry earthen layer prevents air from reaching the roots and blocks moisture.
It is recommended to sprinkle the first tubers on top with a little earth after germination, which will protect them from frost. And also if the greenhouse or plot is small, then you can use a film that will cover the plants.
Experts say that the optimum temperature for potato growth is +20 degrees. If there is an increase or decrease in this value, then growth slows down, which negatively affects the yield.
Therefore, experienced gardeners plant potatoes on hills and in a shady place to protect from the sun. In the event that the summer is hot, then it is necessary to carry out frequent watering. Tubers should be given an average of 3 liters of water per bush. And also mowed grass is laid on the tubers, which protects from the sun and prevents moisture from evaporating from the soil.
The technology of feeding potatoes involves the introduction of drugs only in clear weather. This is due to the specifics that relate to photosynthesis. Experts know that the potato root system usually develops in the upper layers of the soil, and therefore it is recommended to apply all fertilizers directly into the hole or under the roots themselves.
When foliar fertilizers are used, the bushes should be treated in cloudy weather or in the evening, as the sun will cause the mixture to dry out quickly, which can cause plant burns. It is not recommended to spray the bushes before the onset of precipitation. This will wash the solution off the leaves.
As you can see, potato fertilizer is a simple process, because it can be produced independently at any time. The main thing is to know at the same time what doses of fertilizers can be added, and when to apply them.
For information on what fertilizers to use when planting potatoes, see the following video.