Potassium Sulfate As Fertilizer: Instructions For Use In The Garden, Fertilizer Composition

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33

Everyone knows about the value of organic fertilizers for a good harvest. Organic matter alone is not enough - vegetable and horticultural crops also require potassium supplements. They accelerate all intracellular metabolic processes, help plants prepare for the winter cold and enrich the soil. Potassium sulfate is recognized as one of the most effective representatives of this category of dressings . What is this fertilizer and how it can be used - we will talk in our article.

Properties

Potassium sulfate is one of the most important fertilizers for the full growth and development of agricultural crops. Potassium sulfate is used both for pre-sowing preparation of the land and for pre-winter planting, in addition, it is effective as a top dressing at the stage of active vegetation of plants . In purified form, it is a white crystalline substance containing up to 50% of the main component.

In agricultural technology, it is used in dry form (granules or powder) or as a liquid solution . The composition of any fertilizer from potassium sulfate necessarily includes iron, sulfur, and besides them sodium and other elements. For laboratory research purposes, arsenic is additionally introduced into the structure, the proportion of all other ingredients is negligible, therefore it may not be taken into account.

The main advantage of potassium sulfate in comparison with all other fertilizers of this group is the absence of chlorine, which is negatively tolerated by most crops.

Thanks to the timely introduction of calcium sulfate, several problems that plants face can be solved at once

1. When applied in the fall, it allows you to resist the drop in temperatures, ensures the maintenance of the viability of even the most thermophilic perennials.
2. It significantly increases the concentration of useful vitamins and the presence of sugars in young shoots and fruits of the culture.
3. Reduces the risk of fungal infections, especially rot.
4. Potassium is fed to those plants that cannot tolerate chlorine-containing preparations.
5. Increases the yield of citrus plants, grapes, legumes, as well as potatoes and all varieties of cruciferous crops.
6. It improves the circulation of nutrient juices in all plant tissues, evenly distributes beneficial micro- and macroelements to all tissues.
7. Maintains a balance between the development of the root system and the build-up of green mass.
8. Stimulates the enhanced growth of shoots, especially if it is introduced into the substrate in a liquid solution.

The shortage can be determined by several criteria

1. Yellowing of the leaves - first along the edges, and then along the entire leaf plate, as well as yellowing of the upper part of the seedling.
2. The external impression is that the plant is fading and slowly takes on a "rusty" appearance.
3. Intensive growth of stepchildren.
4. Mass appearance of spots on the lower leaves, loss of richness of shades and twisting of leaf plates.
5. Increased fragility of shoots and stems, deterioration of natural elasticity.
6. A sharp drop in the amount of the crop.
7. When it comes to tree crops, that is, trees and shrubs, then one of the signs of a lack of potassium may be the appearance of new, smaller leaves.
8. Deterioration of the appearance and taste of ripe fruits. For example, if we are talking about cucumbers, then the lack of potassium is expressed in the heterogeneity of the color of the fruits, the formation of whitish stripes on them and a bitter taste.
9. A sharp decrease in the thickness of the sheet plate.
10. Decrease in the length of internodes.
11. Dying off of the tips on the roots.

The crops that, at the stage of their growth and fruiting, consume a lot of potassium and sodium - primarily berry and fruit shrubs, also beets, sunflowers and some other crops - are more afraid of the deficiency of potassium sulfide.

For what soils is it suitable?

The greatest need for potassium sulphide is experienced by acidified soils, the pH of which does not go beyond 5-8 units . The use of fertilizer gives a fairly good result in terms of normalizing the acid-base balance. In general, the type of substrate has a significant impact on the characteristics of the use of this fertilizer. Podzolic soils, as well as peat bogs, need it more than others. To a lesser extent - loams, since on them it simply does not penetrate into the fertile layer, in addition, potassium sulfide is not used for salt marshes.

Sandstones, peat bogs and floodplain soils - the use of this top dressing on such soils accelerates plant growth many times over, activates their vegetation in systemic directions and increases productivity. Loam, black soil - in order for potassium sulfide to have the most effective effect on the growth of flowers and their fruiting, conditions of abundant moisture must be observed on these types of soils.

The feeding schedule and watering schedule should be drawn up as carefully as possible . For plants that grow on loam, leaf spraying is most often used, intra-soil dressings in this case are ineffective.

Salt marshes - this type of soil is rich in a wide variety of salts, so this soil simply does not require potassium sulfate. Limestone - this substrate is considered one of the most responsive and susceptible to agrochemicals. The fact is that it contains a lot of potassium ions, which prevents the full penetration of this element into the tissues of agricultural plants in a form suitable for them.

We pay special attention to the fact that on lands with overestimated acidity parameters, fertilizing with potassium sulphide is carried out only together with lime.

Terms of introduction

The use of potassium sulfide as an effective fertilizer is possible throughout the entire gardening season, from early spring to late autumn, when winter digging is performed . If the substrate belongs to heavy soils, then it will be correct to apply fertilizers with potassium in the fall. Light earths can be fed with sulfate throughout the spring.

At the stage of planting growth, they must be fertilized 2-3 times . For the most complete growth and development, fruit and berry plants are fed at the very beginning of the stage of fruit formation; for decorative flowers, the stage of opening the buds will be the optimal period, lawn grass must be fed in early autumn. For prompt access of potassium to the roots of already planted plants, powder or granulate should be buried through the grooves - scattering the substance over the ground is usually ineffective.

Instructions for use

When using potassium sulfate for feeding garden and vegetable crops, you should adhere to the following recommendations. It is undesirable to allow an overdose of the active substance . Despite the harmlessness of the substance to people, an overestimated concentration of this salt in fruits can cause allergies and indigestion. In addition, it often spoils the taste.

It is very important to ensure the complete supply of the agrochemical to the root system .… To do this, it is advisable to remove a layer of soil 10-20 cm thick before the autumn digging, add potassium sulphide and cover it with earth from above. Liquid solutions of potassium sulphide are poured into the ground through the grooves made in the ground around the seedling, most often for this they take a shovel handle, tilting it at an angle of 45 degrees so that the solution is as close to the rhizome as possible. If the substrate is light, then you can pour the fertilizer directly under the root.

In mid-July, the second feeding is traditionally carried out, at this time an aqueous solution will be the best option . - it will act much better and at the same time faster, since it can easily penetrate to the peripheral roots. When planting fruit plants potassium sulphide is added to the very bottom of the planting hole, preferably along with phosphate. At least 2 weeks should pass from the moment of feeding crops with this agrochemical to harvest.

Dry

In powder or granular form, potassium sulfide introduced into the ground immediately before planting plants, in some cases - along with planting . In addition, you can use the granulate in preparation for the winter season.

Liquid

To formulate the nutrient solution Dissolve the crystals as needed in water in strict accordance with the dosages indicated on the packaging of the drug, and then water the seedlings . This method is considered the most effective, since it allows you to achieve the maximum availability of trace elements for the root system of the plant.

Spraying

A liquid solution is prepared based on the ratio of 40 g of granulate to 10 liters of water . After that, the green parts of the plant are treated with the resulting solution through a spray bottle. The amount of fertilizer should be diluted so that the entire stock is fully used, since it cannot be stored. In addition to potassium compounds, plants are often fed with other micro- and macroelements, so they need to be combined correctly. Gardeners should be aware of some of the nuances.

1. It is forbidden to combine potassium sulphide with urea, their simultaneous use in one sowing area is not started.
2. When introducing nitrogen-containing and potassium compounds, they must be mixed in advance, even before the stage of introduction into the ground.
3. On acidic soils, potassium sulfide is best used together with lime.
4. The maximum effect can be achieved when using an agrochemical on carbonate soils.

Precautionary measures

We draw your attention to the fact that the introduction of an excessive amount of dressings does not benefit the green spaces. An increase in the concentration of an element can be determined by the following symptoms:

• a decrease in the thickness of sheet plates, the appearance of signs of chlorosis;
• coloring the upper part of the leaf in a brown tint;
• the appearance of fragments of dead tissue;
• destruction of the root system.

An excess of an element slows down the absorption of other nutrients by plants, therefore, when fertilizing, it is extremely important to adhere to the proportions indicated by the manufacturer.

As you know, potassium sulfide is a fairly safe drug, in its pure form it can even be used for food. And yet it belongs to chemicals, so when working with it, you should adhere to the standard safety rules:

1. Before using the product, you need to protect your face and hands. This will prevent corrosive splashes, vapors and toxic dust from entering the eyes and respiratory system.
2. If the compound comes into contact with the skin or eyes, rinse the affected areas as soon as possible under running water together with soap.
3. In the event of swelling, redness, severe itching and shortness of breath, you should immediately take an antihistamine and seek emergency medical attention.

Storage conditions

Potassium sulfide does not belong to the category of explosive and flammable substances, although it contains sulfur. Therefore, its movement and long-term storage usually does not present any problems, the only condition is to ensure maximum dryness of the room, to protect the agrochemical from water penetration . The dissolved drug should not be stored for too long, even if it is in a tightly closed container.

If you come to the store to buy potassium sulfide, then you will probably be surprised by the wide range of prices for this drug. The final cost is directly related to the percentage of salt . Alternatively, you can purchase mixed mineral formulations , in which potassium sulphide is combined with other minerals necessary for plants, especially phosphorus.

The correct use of this substance in the garden and in the garden will allow to achieve not only a high growth rate and an abundant harvest of garden crops, but also a significant improvement in the taste and nutritional properties of the fruits obtained

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with a video on the use of sulfurous potassium as fertilizer.