Chelate fertilizers refer to fertilizers that add chelating agents to form chelate complexes. Chelating agents are usually organic substances with coordination effects, which can form stable chelate complexes with cations in fertilizers (such as iron, zinc, calcium, etc.). In contrast, ordinary fertilizers simply provide the nutrients required by plants and cannot form stable complexes with the soil.
- Mechanism of action of chelate fertilizers
Since chelate fertilizers can form stable complexes in the soil, the nutrients they provide are not easily adsorbed and fixed by the soil, thereby improving nutrient utilization. In addition, chelate fertilizers can also adjust soil pH, promote the reproduction of soil microorganisms, and further improve plant growth benefits.
- Advantages and application scope of chelate fertilizers
Chelate fertilizers have the following advantages:
a. Improve nutrient utilization and reduce waste;
b. Enhance the ability of plants to absorb and utilize nutrients;
c. Regulate soil pH and improve soil quality;
d. Increase soil microbial activity and promote the health of soil ecosystems.
The application scope of chelate fertilizers includes various crops, fruit trees, vegetables, etc., especially for crops with short life cycles, high demand for trace elements, drought resistance and disease resistance.
- Disadvantages of ordinary fertilizers
Compared with chelate fertilizers, the main disadvantages of ordinary fertilizers are:
a. The nutrient effect is unstable and is easily adsorbed and lost by the soil;
b. Serious waste, a large amount of nutrients are wasted deep in the soil and cannot be absorbed and utilized by plants;
c. It is easy to cause soil acidification and have an adverse effect on the soil environment.
Chelate fertilizers and ordinary fertilizers have significant differences in action mechanism and effect. Compared with ordinary fertilizers, chelate fertilizers can improve nutrient utilization and plant growth efficiency, and are a relatively excellent fertilizer variety. At the same time, when using chelate fertilizers, it is necessary to apply them reasonably according to the needs of specific crops to achieve better results.
