Rating of the best fertilizers for potatoes

Complex fertilizer in granules, which contains three key elements at once: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. There are several options for the ratio of elements, but for potatoes, 8:24:24 is best. Used for spring application with incorporation into the soil or for adding to the hole for planting. Although on heavy loams it is recommended to close up in the fall, observing the manufacturer’s dosage. When planting in the hole, add 1 teaspoon of granules mixed with a handful of compost. Excellent solubility in water allows the use of NPK for foliar top dressing. Leaf treatments are carried out before flowering in calm evening hours. Fertilizer is stored at a temperature below 30 ºC in a dry ventilated area without access to sunlight. Nitroammophoska is a flammable, difficult to combustible, explosion-proof substance.

Nitrogen-containing concentrated granular fertilizer of «soft» action, recommended for the prevention of nitrogen starvation. It contains up to 45% nitrogen in the amide form, which in the soil easily turns into ammonium and eventually into nitrate. The composition does not contain ballast substances. It is applied in early spring 2 weeks before planting tubers.

Processing during the growing season is advisable only if there are signs of a lack of nitrogen. It is well suited for waterlogged areas, since it is poorly washed out with precipitation relative to other nitrogen fertilizers. Urea is effective on acidic soils and even creates an alkalizing effect in the first stage of nitrogen transformation.

When growing potatoes, the lack of phosphorus affects not only the yield, but also the taste of the tubers. Therefore, our review of the best fertilizers for potatoes continues with a one-component granular fertilizer obtained as a result of the decomposition of natural phosphates. Calcium, nitrogen and sulfur are present as accompanying substances. The share of phosphorus in different manufacturers ranges from 30 to 50%. In a water-soluble form, it contains phosphorus oxide and calcium monophosphate, which provide “emergency” nutrition until other forms are converted into compounds available to potatoes. Double superphosphate can be applied both in the fall (without fear of binding, fixing in the soil and becoming inaccessible) and in the spring (without worrying about the expiration date). Phosphorus turns into an accessible form gradually, as the plants grow. Joint application with potash fertilizers is allowed. In addition to continuous application, granules can be added to the wells directly at planting. Double superphosphate is a fire and explosion-proof substance with an unlimited shelf life.

Our review of the best fertilizers for potatoes continues with a simple mineral fertilizer in the form of a finely crystalline white powder, which contains 17% magnesium and 13% sulfur. Magnesium is the fourth most important nutrient required by potatoes in smaller doses than nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but its deficiency drastically reduces the quality of tubers. Magnesium supplements increase the taste and starch content of fresh tubers. In addition, magnesium promotes better absorption of potassium and phosphorus.

When there are signs of deficiency (absence of the lower tier of leaves that have turned yellow and fallen off), magnesium sulfate powder is used as an aqueous solution for foliar treatment of tops at the beginning of the growing season. For pre-planting treatment, fertilizer is used in small doses for prevention, embedding in the top layer of soil. Sandy and sandy loamy soils should be fertilized annually with magnesium sulfate, previously deoxidized with wood ash or lime. Magnesium sulfate can be combined with potash, phosphorus and complex fertilizers.

Enriched organic fertilizer with a high content of phosphorus and nitrogen. Dry manure in granules is often used for potatoes. It is brought in for autumn or spring digging. Its effect is maintained for 3 years. It is allowed to add to the hole simultaneously with the planting of tubers in a dosage of not more than 2 tbsp. spoons mixed with soil. Due to the low content of potassium in chicken manure, which is so important for potatoes, it is better to strengthen nutrition by applying potassium fertilizers.

A good fertilizer for potatoes is the ash obtained from the burning of wood and plant residues. Ash contains in an accessible mineralized form phosphorus, potassium, iron, calcium, zinc and silicon, important for plant nutrition. The percentage of substances directly depends on the incinerated residues. Dry branches after pruning give ash enriched with potassium and phosphorus. Burning tops returns potassium, phosphorus and calcium to the soil. Ash does not contain nitrogen at all, so it cannot be the main means of soil restoration. The positive effect of ash on the nutritional value of the soil lasts for 2 to 4 years. The most common and rational way to add ash is to sprinkle one handful into the hole when planting, which can be mixed with humus or compost in equal parts. Due to the alkaline reaction of the ash, it is used with caution on neutral and slightly alkaline soils: in a small dose and not annually.

An effective and safe way to feed potatoes. Winter rye and white mustard are preferred as siderates of the potato field. Siderates are sown with a carpet immediately after harvesting potatoes, and in winter they are closed up for rotting. Young greens and roots serve as a source of important nutrients.

In order not to cause the soil to dry out, green manure crops need to be watered. Green manure should not be allowed to grow and, moreover, brought to flowering. The older the plant, the more difficult it will be for the remains to rot. If you let the “carpet” disperse the seeds, you will have to remove the weed for several years.

Organo-mineral granular fertilizer for balanced nutrition of potatoes based on lowland peat. The composition contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, trace elements (copper, zinc, boron, iron, manganese) and humic compounds. The granule gradually «gives away» the batteries, providing a prolonged action and protection of the root system from burns. Preferably local application to the hole at planting.