Increasing fertilizer use efficiency and achieving "reduced fertilizer input with increased yield" are core objectives of modern agricultural technology. Traditional "one-shot" crude fertilization methods not only lead to waste but may also affect harvests. How can we accurately "feed" fertilizers to crops—spending less and producing more? Master these six scientific fertilization techniques to easily achieve cost savings and increased efficiency.
First Tip: Change from "Spreading" to "Burying," Deep Application and Covering with Soil
Say goodbye to surface spreading! Incorporate base fertilizer into the soil deeply (20-30 cm) during tillage. When applying topdressing, dig a 10-15 cm deep trench beside the crop row or under the canopy, apply the fertilizer, and cover with soil. This simple step can increase nitrogen fertilizer utilization from less than 30% to over 50%, and encourage deeper root growth, improving drought resistance and lodging resistance.
Second Tip: "Small Meals, Frequent Applications," Supplying Fertilizer as Needed
Crops have different “appetites” at various growth stages. Split a single heavy topdressing application into 2–3 applications during key growth periods to reduce nutrient loss. For example, applying nitrogen fertilizer to maize in split doses during the jointing, big trumpet, and grain filling stages can precisely match the crop’s nutrient needs and significantly minimize nitrogen loss.
Third Tip: Utilize Foliar Fertilizer as a "Nutritional Supplement"
When crops show signs of nutrient deficiency or urgently require nutrients, foliar fertilizer is an efficient "supplement." Apply boron and zinc before flowering and calcium during the fruit-expanding stage; absorption is rapid and efficient. Remember to spray in the early morning or late evening when there is no wind, and it is only a supplement, not a replacement for soil base fertilizer.
Fourth Tip: Nourish the Soil's "Stomach" and Improve Soil Fertility
Compacted and acidified soil is like a sick stomach; no matter how much fertilizer is applied, it will be difficult to absorb. Consistently applying 1-2 tons of well-rotted organic fertilizer or bio-fertilizer per acre can significantly improve soil structure, enhance water and fertilizer retention capacity, and make chemical fertilizers more effective.
Fifth Tip: Choose the Right Fertilizer Type and Apply It at the Right Time
Choose slow-release fertilizer for base fertilizer for long-term supply; choose water-soluble or fast-acting fertilizer for topdressing, and be sure to apply it deeply. During cold seasons, prioritize fertilizers with rapid absorption at low temperatures, such as nitrate nitrogen, to ensure crops receive sufficient nutrients.
Sixth Tip: Upgrade Your "Feeding Method" To Integrated Water And Fertilizer Management.
When conditions permit, drip irrigation with integrated water and fertilizer management is the ultimate solution. It delivers water and nutrients directly and evenly to the roots, achieving a fertilizer utilization rate of 70%-80%, realizing truly precise feeding, and saving water, fertilizer, and labor.
Achieving "reduced fertilizer and increased efficiency" in agriculture is not just about a single product, but about changing concepts and optimizing methods. Starting with a deep application, combined with soil improvement and scientific management, gradually build a fertilization system suitable for your own field to continuously maintain yields, improve soil fertility, and increase profits.
