If you are a farmer, then fertilizers play an important role in your life. Your crops need fertilizers to increase their qualities and in return, more profit.
Each plant will have different nutritional needs, therefore, it will need different fertilizers. So how can you choose the right fertilizer to achieve a high yield crop?
This article will help you make a quick comparison between the 2 main types of fertilizer: liquid fertilizer and granular fertilizer.
Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizers
Liquid fertilizer
Liquid fertilizers are inorganic substances, industrially produced, and released into soil in a liquid state. Liquid stools include the following basic fertilizers:
- Nitrogen fertilizers
- Anhydrous liquid ammonia
- Ammonia in the form of water
- Ammonium
- Concentrated solutions of ammonium nitrate and urea
Liquid fertilizer is a water-soluble powder of synthetic substances that contain a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron. This type is easy to use for plants.
Some liquid fertilizers bring immediate effects because the nutrients are absorbed through the leaves and roots.This is the solution to provide nutrients quickly for plants.
After following the instructions for diluting or making a liquid solution from the powder mixture, you are now ready to fertilize the soil using a spray bottle or a spray nozzle.
However, if farmers don’t follow the instructions for mixing liquid fertilizers carefully, they can cause severe damage to their farms.
Excessive concentration of liquid fertilizer can cause leaf and plant burn. Fertilizer residues can also penetrate deeply and damage the soil.
Pros:
- Easy to handle and use
- Comfortably mixing with other solutions
- Can be mixed with pesticides
- Immediate effects
Cons:
- Risk of sedimentation over time
- Salting in the cold weather
- Dangerous to plants if too much is present
Granular fertilizers
We often use granular fertilizers by spreading over the cultivated area.
One advantage of fertilizer granules is that you don’t have to apply them as often. The use of organic granular fertilizers also dramatically reduces the risk of plant damage.
The effects of granular fertilizers are more long-lasting since solids are absorbed rather slowly. The decay period can vary from 1 to 9 months.
However, since seed fertilizers don’t directly affect the crop, they may take longer to be effective. Plants may not be getting nutrients quickly enough to help them recover from nutritional deficiencies.
Granular fertilizers also need warmth and humidity to function. The soil’s pH level can also negatively affect the effectiveness of this fertilizer.
Like liquid fertilizers, improper use of fertilizers will have negative consequences for the plants.
Pros:
- Low price
- Easy to maintain
- No need for regular use
- High efficiency for perennial plants
- Provides doses of nutrients to plants for months
Cons:
- Slow absorption rate
- The effectiveness depends on the pH of the soil
- Dangerous to plants if too much is present
Which fertilizer is better?
Depending on the type of plants, weather, season, each type will have certain advantages.
Liquid fertilizer has immediate effects on the plants, so it is suitable if you want to quickly provide your plants with nutrients. You can also use agriculture liquid fertilizer if you plan on mixing it with other substances to save time.
On the other hand, granular fertilizer is ideal if you don’t want to fertilize the soil as often. You also don’t need to be too careful about granular fertilizer since the risk of damaging the plants is lower.
But, if you want to use 1 type of fertilizer on 1 of your crops, stick with it. Try to keep track of the condition of the plant and based on time to choose the right fertilizer.
Regardless of what fertilizer you are going to use, the risk of damaging the plants is still present, and you should read and follow the instruction carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the same fertilizer be applied to all crops?
No, absolutely not.
There are tons of factors when choosing a type of fertilizer, like its physiological, biochemical characteristics, how it grows, stages of the plants, what the plants need, and external conditions like weather, soil, water quality, etc.
Therefore, choosing the right fertilizer is very important. You must provide a suitable fertilizer to meet the different requirements of each plant. We cannot come up with 1 fertilizer to apply to all crops.
What is fertilization by soil?
Each territory will have different physical and chemical characteristics, nutrient composition, and different pH.
Suppose you want to improve the soil to increase your crops’ yield. In that case, you must identify these features.
You should identify the missing substances for each piece of soil to find the right fertilizer to supplement the ground.
The method above is the soil-based fertilization method that some fertilizer units are currently implementing.
Why must you fertilize at the right time?
Requirements for plant nutrients vary depending on the stages of growth and development.
At some point of growth, plants will require 1 nutrient more than another. So the right timing is important to maximize the fertilizer’s effect.
Also, plants have limits on how much fertilizer they can absorb at a time. So try not to apply too much at a time.
Fertilizing the right amount multiple times in a day will help the plants absorb the nutrients in the fertilizer better.
Granular Fertilizer VS. Liquid Fertilizer. Which Is Better? Let’s find out:
Does the weather affect granules and liquid fertilizers?
Yes, the weather is a factor affecting the efficiency of fertilizers.
For example, if there is rain when you fertilize the soil, the fertilizer will be washed away. If you fertilize when the sun is too hot, the harshness will peel off the steam, and it can burn the leaves.
So when you fertilize the soil, consider the weather and climate before deciding to fertilize the crop. You should fertilize in times of cool weather, such as early morning or evening.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, by now you should know well about liquid vs. granular fertilizer, as well as which one is more suitable for you.
The choice depends on what type is compatible with your crops, how quickly you want to provide the nutrients, and the external conditions at your place.
Thank you for reading.
