The benefits of superphosphate extract for tomato
Phosphorus is very important for a good tomato harvest. But in ordinary soil there is little of it, so they resort to phosphorus fertilization of vegetables. Superphosphate is a fertilizer that contains many important trace elements and minerals, as well as phosphorus oxide. Superphosphate extract for tomato is easily absorbed by the plant and is well suited for feeding.
The benefits of superphosphate extract for tomato
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
Phosphorus is required for tomato plants five times more than nitrogen. Phosphorus contributes to good root growth, which makes the plant more drought tolerant. Tomatoes with optimal phosphorus nutrition become more sugar-rich.
When the hood is used
Fertilizer is used for different vegetables, but it is most useful for tomatoes. The advantage of this fertilizer is that it can be added to the soil in large quantities. This will not harm the plant, it will take as much fertilizer as it needs. Tomatoes often die precisely from its lack.
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
Phosphorus, unlike nitrogen, is an inactive element in the soil. Phosphate fertilizers dissolve slowly in the soil and hardly move deeper. Therefore, it can be applied in the fall for deep digging of the soil in multiple doses. You can apply 2-3 times more than the norm of phosphorus fertilizers in the fall, and then not apply for 2-3 years.
Signs of phosphate deficiency
With a deficiency of phosphorus in the soil, tomatoes develop slowly, the taste characteristics of the fruits are not of very good quality. The following signs of phosphate deficiency in tomatoes are noted:
- purple spots on the underside of the leaf;
- brown spots on leaves and stems;
- the leaves become darker.
Usually these signs appear after a cold snap or in plants that have been hardened. Due to the cold, plants begin to poorly assimilate useful elements. As a rule, after warming, the plants return to their usual color. But if this does not happen, you need to fertilize them.
Superphosphate for tomatoes is applied to the soil before planting in the spring or after harvesting in the fall to prepare the soil for the next season. It is better to fertilize tomatoes in spring, phosphate is added directly to the hole when planting, 1 tsp is taken. per plant.
Types of superphosphates
Different types of phosphorus fertilizers are used to fertilize tomatoes. For convenience, it is produced in different forms:
- Monophosphate (simple). It is a gray powder containing up to 20% phosphorus. This type is not very effective, but it is often used due to its low cost.
- Superphosphate is simple in granules. It is convenient to use because of its good flowability. It contains about 50% phosphorus oxide and 30% potassium.
- Ammonized superphosphate. Contains about 12% sulfur. Therefore, it is used when it is deficient in plants.
- Double superphosphate. It consists of 50% phosphorus oxide. It has few ballast elements, therefore it is advantageous in use. Promotes plant development well.
Fertilization of tomatoes with superphosphate
Plants, due to processing, become stronger, and the fruits are juicy and sweet. Fertilizer should be applied at the rate of 20g / 1 plant.
Usually it is applied in dry or granular form. Fertilizer is distributed evenly in the soil, do not deepen it much. It is best to apply phosphate at the plant root level. Tomato uses about 90% of fertilizers for the formation of fruits, therefore, it is necessary to apply during the entire flowering period.
Superphosphate is important for plant growth
Superphosphate gives a good yield, but it is better to use a fertilizer with a lot of potassium. It is just as important for a good harvest as phosphorus. But it is important to remember that mature plants absorb phosphorus better than young plants. This is due to the fact that the root system of the seedlings is still underdeveloped.
Before you start using superphosphate for young plants, you must first dissolve it.
How to prepare a superphosphate extract
Superphosphate poorly converts into a dissolved form. Therefore, in order for the granules to dissolve faster, they are poured with hot water. When dissolved, the fertilizer does not lose its beneficial properties and is better absorbed by plants.
Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):
Superphosphate extract is used at the end of the growing season of tomato plants in order to achieve fast, friendly and simultaneous ripening of fruits. Extraction from superphosphate has the property of desiccation, because after its application, the leaves on the plant begin to dry out. Do not try to use it too early, for example, when the fruit is just forming.
After the fertilizer is poured with water, you need to place it in a warm place for a day. In order for it to dissolve better, it is necessary to stir the solution periodically. The finished top dressing should look like rich milk.
After that, the fertilizer is diluted with water at the rate of 20 tbsp. l / 3 l of water receive a working solution from which the main fertilizer is prepared. For 10 l of water add 150 ml of solution, 20 g of nitrogen, 0.5 l of ash. It is imperative to add nitrogen, since without it, phosphate will not be absorbed. Further, this fertilizer is applied by watering at the root, you can also spray the leaves of tomatoes with superphosphate.
It is better to fertilize 2 times, with an interval of at least 10 days. But you cannot apply many different fertilizers in large quantities, otherwise the plant may not bear fruit at all.
Neutralization of excess phosphate
If a lot of top dressing preparations have been added, this can be corrected in 2 ways:
- Do not water for a week. But the air temperature should be kept around 25 °. Carry out root dressing using 3 tbsp. l. hoods for 10 liters of water. Water the tomatoes with this composition, the calculation is 1 liter per 1 plant.
- It is important not to combine superphosphate extract with urea, saltpeter or chalk feed. At least a week should elapse between treatment with these solutions.
Conclusion
The correct use of superphosphate for tomatoes is a very important procedure when growing a crop. This is one of the most useful types of feeding. Its advantages are in the optimal amount of phosphates in the composition, as well as potassium, nitrogen, sulfur and magnesium. Thanks to him, tomatoes develop correctly, the quality of the crop increases.
Fertilization can be done in different ways, both by watering under the root, and by spraying tomato plants with superphosphate.
