Principles of balanced fertilization of NPK compound fertilizer.

PRINCIPLES OF BALANCED FERTILIZATION OF NPK COMPOUND FERTILIZER

What is balanced fertilization? Why balanced fertilization is important?

Balanced fertilization is based on soil nutrient abundance and crop demand, and achieves a balance between supply and demand through fertilization. Balanced fertilization comes from the nutrient balancing method. It is based on Liebig’s theory of nutrient return. Through soil nutrient testing, it calculates the amount of fertilizer to achieve planned yield based on the difference between crop fertilizer demand and soil fertilizer supply, and achieves a nutrient balance between crops and soil. 

What is the formula/equation for calculating balanced fertilization proportion?

Balanced fertilization is based on soil nutrient abundance and crop demand, and achieves a balance between supply and demand through fertilization. Balanced fertilization comes from the nutrient balancing method. It is based on Liebig’s theory of nutrient return. Through soil nutrient testing, it calculates the amount of fertilizer to achieve planned yield based on the difference between crop fertilizer demand and soil fertilizer supply, and achieves a nutrient balance between crops and soil. 

  • Amount of nutrients required for planned yield (kg/mu)
  • Amount of fertilizer supplied to the soil (kg/mu)
  • Fertilizer application amount (kg/acre) = fertilizer nutrient content (%) x fertilizer utilization rate (%)

The planned output index is an important parameter for determining fertilizer based on output. It is best to adopt the method of “determining output based on land”, that is, determining the planned output indicator based on the fertility level of farmland and combined with past production practices.

How to use the balanced fertilization equation to calculate the amount of fertilizer per acre of land

Examples of the application amount of nitrogen fertilizer for winter wheat: (Plan: The planned yield per mu is 400 kilograms. In the trial without nitrogen fertilizer, the yield is 150 kilograms per mu. It is planned to use the compound fertilizer base fertilizer 18-22-10 produced by Tongli and the top dressing 32-0-8. To achieve nitrogen balance, how much should be applied? 

According to the data: 3 kilograms of nitrogen (N) need to be absorbed for every 100 kilograms of wheat grain produced. The utilization rate of rational nitrogen application can reach 50%. The reasonable distribution of nitrogen fertilizer for wheat should be calculated as half and half as bottom and top dressing.

  • Amount of nutrients required for planned yield=3x(400/100)=12;
  • The amount of fertilizer supplied to the soil is 3×(150/100)=4.5, which can also be obtained by measuring the soil;
  • Nitrogen (N) needs to be supplemented through fertilization = (12-4.5)/50%=15; half and half of bottom and top dressing, that is, 15/2=7.5;
  • Using 18-22-10:7.5/18%=41.6 as base fertilizer and 32-0-8:7.5/32%=23.4 as top fertilizer (the above unit: kg/mu) can meet the nitrogen supply and demand balance of 400 kg of wheat per acre. 

At the same time, 9.15 kg of phosphorus (P2O5) and 6.03 kg of potassium (K2O) are provided per mu. The application ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is 1:0.6:0.4, which is in line with the input ratio of the three elements of winter wheat model cultivation issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of 1:0.6-7: 0.3-0.4 requirements. 

Not only does it fully reflect the nutritional balance between nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but also all phosphate fertilizers are applied at the bottom, 70% of potassium fertilizers are applied at the bottom and 30% are topdressed. The combined application of these two formula fertilizers on wheat fully reflects the role of the compound fertilizer produced by Tongli production line as a carrier of balanced fertilization.

How to apply compound fertilizer scientifically to achieve balanced fertilization?

apply compound fertilizer scientifically to achieve balanced fertilization

Use compound fertilizer as base fertilizer

Compound fertilizer has long fertilizer effect and should be used as base fertilizer. The processed and granulated compound fertilizer decomposes more slowly than powdered fertilizer, is less likely to be lost and volatilized, has a longer fertilizer effect, and is easier to use as base fertilizer. The general dosage per mu is 30 to 40 kilograms. Compound fertilizer should not be used for seedling fertilization and mid-to-late growth to prevent crops from becoming green and overgrown.

Choose the right top dressing fertilizer to achieve balanced fertilization

Pay attention to use it in conjunction with elemental nitrogen fertilizer. The seedling stage of crops requires less nitrogen fertilizer, so it is necessary to fertilize. For crops that use compound fertilizer as base fertilizer, top-dressing fertilizers should be supplemented with available nitrogen fertilizer in a timely manner according to the fertilizer requirements of different crops to meet the nutritional needs of the crops. Pay attention to choosing the appropriate concentration.

Choose compound fertilizer according to the specific composition of the land

Most compound fertilizers are formulated according to the average nutrient status of the soil type in a certain area and the proportion of bulk crops. There are high, medium and low concentration series of compound fertilizers on the market. Generally, the low concentration of total nutrients is between 25% and 30%, the medium concentration is between 30% and 40%, and the high concentration is above 40%. Economical and efficient compound fertilizers should be selected and used according to different regions, soils and crops. Generally, high-concentration compound fertilizers are used on economic crops, which can produce high-quality crops, less fertilizer residues, and high utilization rates.

Pay attention to the compatability of plants and compound fertilizers

  • Be careful to avoid direct contact between seeds and fertilizers or mixed use of seeds and fertilizers. Compound fertilizer has high nutrient content. If it comes into direct contact with seeds or seedling roots, it will affect seedling emergence or even burn seedlings and cause root rot. When sowing, the seeds should be about 5 to 10 centimeters away from the holes or strips of compound fertilizer. Do not apply fertilizer directly in the same hole as the seeds, as this may cause fertilizer damage. Pay attention to the usage range of nutrients. Different brands and different concentrations of compound fertilizers use different raw materials. The production should be selected according to the soil type and crop type.
  • Compound fertilizers containing nitrate roots should not be used on leafy vegetables and paddy fields; compound fertilizers containing nitrogen ions should not be used on saline-alkali soil; compound fertilizers containing potassium chloride or ammonia ions should not be used on nitrogen-prone crops or saline-alkali soils; Compound fertilizers containing potassium sulfate should not be used in paddy fields and acidic soils. Otherwise, the fertilizer efficiency will be reduced and even the crops will be poisoned.

Conclusion: How to achieve balanced fertilization

So to summarize this article, we have introduced how to apply balanced fertilization to maximize the effect of compound fertilizers. The first point is to use the balanced fertilization formula to calculate the appropriate amount of fertilizer. The second point is to pay attention to the combination of different types of fertilizers. Achieve fertilizer balance. So in the next article we will focus more on introducing the detailed application methods of various compound fertilizers, so thank you everyone and see you in the next article.