Fertilization

Fertilization

Fertilization

In the process of growth, plants need various amounts of nutrients which include:

Macronutrients: as nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium etc. which plants need in big quantities.

Micronutrients: as iron, zinc, copper etc. which plants need in little quantities yet not less vital than the Macronutrients.

Fertilizers should be added to the soil during the plants various growth cycles to compensate for nutrients up-take by the plants. The required fertilizers are as follows:

Organic Fertilizers:

The source of organic fertilizers is living organisms:

  • Plant compost: contains plants residues.
  • Animal manure: contains animal residue and is called after the animal it is derived from, as cow manure from cows or poultry manure from poultry.
  • Farm fertilizers: are fertilizers which contain a mixture of animal and plant residues.

Importance: Help improve the soil properties and enhance soil aeration and water retention.

Usage: It is preferable to fertilize fruit trees with organic fertilizers (totally decomposed) during the winter season that is during the months of December and January.

Chemical Fertilizers:

Fertilizers manufactured from inorganic minerals which are complementary to organic fertilizers:

  • Simple fertilizers: which contain one chemical element as phosphate fertilizers and potassium fertilizers.
  • Compound fertilizers: contain more than one chemical element as NPK.
  • Farm fertilizers: are fertilizers which contain a mixture of animal and plant residues.

Importance: Compensate for the lack of easily absorbed nutrients in soil content.

Usage: Applied at distant intervals during the plants growth period, so as to restore balance to both soil and plant. It can be added directly to the soil or through irrigation water or through foliar application but care should be taken on doses and plant tolerance to foliar fertilizers.

  • Source