Water soluble fertilizer, also known as water-soluble fertilizer (WSF), is a type of multi-component compound fertilizer that can be completely dissolved in water.

Its main features include:

-Complete solubility: Water soluble fertilizers can quickly and completely dissolve in water without residual impurities, making them easy for crops to absorb.

-Comprehensive nutrition: It contains various nutrients required for crop growth, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and multiple trace elements.

-High absorption rate: Due to its ability to completely dissolve, crops have a high absorption and utilization rate of nutrients in water-soluble fertilizers, usually reaching over 80%.

-Convenient application: It can be directly applied through agricultural systems such as drip irrigation, achieving water fertilizer integration and improving fertilization efficiency.

Types and selection of water-soluble fertilizers

1.1 Water soluble fertilizer with a large amount of elements

Massive element water-soluble fertilizer is the most widely used type of water-soluble fertilizer in agricultural production. Its main components include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and other essential nutrients for plant growth. According to data from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the application of such fertilizers can increase crop yields by 10% -30%, especially on leafy vegetables and fruit crops. For example, nitrogen fertilizer can promote chlorophyll synthesis in crops, phosphorus fertilizer helps with root development and energy conversion, and potassium fertilizer enhances crop disease resistance and improves fruit quality.

1.2 Medium Element Water soluble Fertilizer

Medium element water-soluble fertilizers mainly include calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S) and other elements, which are also crucial for plant growth and development. Calcium plays an important role in the formation of cell walls and cell division, magnesium is the central element of chlorophyll molecules, and sulfur is a component of many amino acids and vitamins. According to the journal "China Agricultural Science", the rational application of water-soluble fertilizers containing moderate amounts of elements can significantly improve crop stress resistance and yield, especially in acidic and sandy soils where the application effect is better.

1.3 Trace element water-soluble fertilizer

Trace element water-soluble fertilizers contain trace elements such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), etc. Although these elements have low levels in the plant body, they play an indispensable role in plant growth and development. For example, iron is the active center of many enzymes, manganese participates in the water splitting process in photosynthesis, and zinc and copper are components of various enzymes. According to the research of Guangdong Agricultural Science, the deficiency of trace elements can lead to stunted crop growth, decreased yield, and even various physiological diseases.

1.4 Amino acid containing water-soluble fertilizer and organic water-soluble fertilizer

Amino acid containing water-soluble fertilizer and organic water-soluble fertilizer are a type of water-soluble fertilizer that provide additional organic nutrients. They contain organic substances such as amino acids, humic acid, and humic acid, which can improve soil structure and enhance soil water and fertilizer retention capacity. The organic matter in this type of fertilizer can also promote the growth of plant roots and enhance the disease resistance of crops. According to the Agricultural Encyclopedia, amino acid containing water-soluble fertilizers and organic water-soluble fertilizers have significant effects in improving crop quality and increasing crop yield, especially in organic agriculture and green food production, which have been widely used.

Technical points for the application of water-soluble fertilizers

2.1 Avoid direct application

When applying water-soluble fertilizer, a secondary dilution method should be adopted to avoid the phenomenon of burning seedlings and damaging roots caused by direct flushing. The secondary dilution method can ensure uniform distribution of fertilizers and improve fertilizer utilization efficiency.

2.2 Small amount multiple applications

Due to the strong quick acting nature of water-soluble fertilizers, it is difficult to retain them in the soil for a long time. It is recommended to apply them in small amounts multiple times to meet the continuous nutrient absorption needs of plants. It is generally recommended to use 3-6 kilograms per acre each time.

2.3 Pay attention to nutrient balance

The application of water-soluble fertilizers should be reasonably matched according to the growth needs of crops and the nutrient status of soil, to avoid excessive or insufficient nutrients. Under drip irrigation and fertilization conditions, it is particularly important to pay attention to the balanced supply of nutrients.

2.4 Coordinated application

Water soluble fertilizers are usually used as topdressing and should be combined with base fertilizers, organic fertilizers, and conventional fertilizers to leverage the advantages of various fertilizers, reduce costs, and improve crop yield and quality.

2.5 Avoid excessive irrigation

When fertilizing, the irrigation amount should be controlled to keep the root layer depth in a suitable moist state, avoiding nutrient leaching and fertilizer waste caused by excessive irrigation.

2.6 Preventing surface salt accumulation

Long term use of drip irrigation and fertilization may lead to surface salt accumulation, affecting root growth. Technologies such as subsurface drip irrigation can be used to suppress the migration of salt to the surface and maintain soil health.

2.7 Irrigation Water Quality Management

Understand the hardness and acidity of irrigation water to avoid a decrease in fertilizer effectiveness caused by water quality issues. In saline alkali soil areas, special attention should be paid to the precipitation of calcium phosphate salts to avoid clogging the drips and reducing the effectiveness of phosphate fertilizers.

2.8 Uniformity of Fertilization

When applying fertilizers through drip irrigation, it is important to ensure that the fertilization rate is appropriate to improve the utilization efficiency of difficult to move nutrients. During the dry season, drip irrigation fertilization is recommended to be completed within 2-3 hours to ensure uniformity of fertilization.