Homemade iron chelate as a fertilizer. What is iron chelate and what properties does it have

Iron chelate is used to treat a disease such as iron chlorosis, and to intensify photosynthesis processes in greens growing on a poor one.

This article will discuss methods of obtaining, indications for its use and storage conditions.

Description and chemical composition

In its pure form, iron chelate is a dirty orange powder that does not have a noticeable smell and taste. According to the chemical structure, the chelate complex is an atom of divalent iron, which, as it were, is “packed” into a shell of a weak acid ligand, often used for this lemon acid. There is no covalent bond between the Fe++ ion and the ligand, therefore, in the chelate form, iron retains its valency until the ligand decomposes. The chelate shell protects iron from reactions with other active molecules that can convert iron into a trivalent form.

Did you know? Ferrous iron is also contained in the main component of erythrocytes - hemoglobin, which is responsible for gas exchange processes in a living organism.

Purpose of funds

Iron chelate has a rather narrow range of applications for plants, however, in the event of one of the situations described below, it simply cannot be dispensed with:

1. Treatment of non-infectious chlorosis (a disease in which the leaves of plants actively turn yellow, due to a violation of the processes of photosynthesis in the leaves).
2. Active prevention of chlorosis, mainly in.
3. In order to intensify the processes of photosynthesis in flora growing in adverse conditions (lack or excess sunlight, dry soil, excessive cold or heat).

Instructions for use

Iron chelate according to the instructions for use can be used in two different ways: for foliar and root top dressing. The second is recommended for especially advanced cases of chlorosis, while the first is better suited for preventive measures.

Important! The drug precipitates very quickly in the form of a solution, and therefore it is recommended to store it undiluted.

foliar top dressing

Implies the leaves of diseased plants and using a spray bottle. It is recommended to carry out 2 sprayings for preventive purposes and 4 for diseased plants.

The first treatment is performed immediately after the leaves unfold, the subsequent ones - with an interval of 2-3 weeks. Fruit trees it is recommended to spray with a solution with a concentration of 0.8%, field crops with a 0.4% solution.

Root top dressing

In this case, it is necessary to prepare a 0.8% working solution, which is later used directly under the root of plants or in pre-prepared holes 20-30 cm deep. Watering should be done in such quantities: 10-20 liters per tree or 1- 2 liters per bush, or 4-5 liters per 100 square meters of vegetables or berries.

Storage conditions

Ready-made iron chelate powder should be stored out of the reach of children at a temperature of 0 ° C to 30 ° C. The shelf life is 1.5 years. Preferably keep away from direct sunlight.

Standard safety precautions must be followed when using. In case of contact with mucous membranes, rinse thoroughly running water and in case of complications, seek medical help.

Do-it-yourself iron chelate

Making an iron chelate solution at home can cost you much less than buying ready-made powder. Both of the methods presented below involve the use, which is several times cheaper than the finished product.

First way

For him, you will need to stock up on ascorbic acid in advance, which can be easily found in a pharmacy. The only requirement for the latter is that it should not contain glucose.

Did you know? Iron is the second most abundant metal in the world after aluminum.

In a pre-made solution iron sulphate(a teaspoon per 0.5 l clean water), add 10 g of ascorbic acid.
The resulting mixture is diluted with three liters of boiled water, and after thorough mixing, an iron chelate solution is formed, ready for use. The approximate concentration of such a solution will be 0.5%, and it can be safely used for spraying.

Second way

The second method involves the formation of a chelate complex based on citric acid, which is absolutely not difficult to find. To obtain a working solution, it is necessary to three-liter jar with boiled water, add a tablespoon of citric acid and a teaspoon of iron sulfate.

Iron chlorosis- a common plant disease that manifests itself as a violation of the formation of chlorophyll in the leaves. In this case, the leaf plate turns yellow, and the veins remain green.

Iron leaf chlorosis occurs when a plant experiences a catastrophic iron deficiency. For example, there is little of it in the soil, or changes have occurred in the plant's body that lead to the loss of the ability to absorb this very iron. To cure this disease, it is necessary to eliminate errors in the agricultural technique of growing the affected plant and feed it with iron.

• yellowing of young leaves, combined with green veins
• reduction in leaf size
• twisting the edges of the sheet plate
• falling leaves, flowers
• changing the shape of buds, flowers
• deterioration in the development of the root system, in advanced cases - the death of the roots
• drying of the top shoots

With iron chlorosis, the leaf plate turns yellow in plants, and the veins remain green.

What plants are most susceptible to chlorosis?

If you grow violets, you may never experience chlorosis at all. Chlorosis acts selectively. Here are the top 5 plants most susceptible to this disease:

• gardenia
• azalea
• hydrangea
• clerodendrum
• lemon

If you have purchased anything from this list, be prepared to struggle with leaf yellowing from time to time. Although, it is better to act proactively and do prevention.

Plant chlorosis: prevention

To reduce the risk of meeting with chlorosis, you need to:

1. Choose the right substrate for the plant

The soil should be light, moisture permeable. Alkalinization of the soil, leading to chlorosis, often occurs due to too dense soil that retains water.

2. Monitor the reaction of the soil

Pay attention to the acidity of the soil. Plants susceptible to chlorosis (see top 5) love acidified soil. A shift in the reaction towards an alkaline environment dramatically increases the risk of chlorosis.

3. Periodically water the plants with acidified water

Water acidification is another way to bring the soil reaction into the desired framework. Often tap water has pH-7, this value should be reduced to pH-5-5.5. To do this, dissolve several grains of citric acid in 1 liter of water (on the tip of a knife). Plants are watered with this water once a week.

Treatment of chlorosis with iron preparations

If your plants are already sick with chlorosis, preventive measures won't fit. Rather, you still have to change the soil and make it a habit to use acidified water for irrigation. But besides this, the plant will have to add iron to the diet. It should be in a chelated form - the most easily absorbed even by a diseased plant. After spraying and applying one of the following preparations under the root, plant health is restored:

• Ferovit (Nest M)
• From yellowing leaves (Agricola)
• Ferrilene (Valagro)
• Brexil-Fe (Valagro)
• Iron chelate (Micom-reacom)
• Micro-Fe (Orton)
• Antichlorosis (Master Color)

The iron chelate works faster if it is applied through the sheet. When spraying, useful substances penetrate into the tissues of the plant already within a day, when watering - after 3 days. Therefore, many manufacturers of chelates are positioning them as leaf fertilizers. Although they can be safely used for irrigation, only a positive effect in this case will have to wait a little longer.

Spraying plants with chlorosis preparations is more effective than applying them under the root

Iron chelate for chlorosis can be prepared at home on your own.

• In 1 liter of boiled cold water dilute 4 g of citric acid (half a teaspoon), then add 2.5 g of ferrous sulfate (6 g in a teaspoon). As a result, a light orange liquid is formed, which contains a complex salt of ferrous iron - iron chelate at a concentration of 0.5 g / l. This solution can be used for both watering and spraying.
• 10 g of ferrous sulfate is diluted in 1 liter of water, then 20 g of ascorbic acid is added to the solution. The resulting solution is watered and sprayed with chlorosis plants.

The shelf life of homemade iron chelate is 2 weeks.

Making iron chelate at home

Non-traditional method - rusty nails from chlorosis

Plant chlorosis is a disease that must be fought on all fronts. Therefore, many flower growers, lovers of gardenias and hydrangeas, use all methods in the fight against yellowing of the leaves. There are among them very common and, oddly enough, very effective. These are rusty nails that are carefully buried in a pot with a plant. The main thing in this matter is the presence of rust, it can even be scraped off rusty metal objects and added to the soil with a capricious plant. Great method! Sometimes it helps when all other methods for chlorosis have already been tried, but turned out to be ineffective.

In the soil, both deficiency and excess of iron can be observed. Trivalent iron rust forming for plants great benefit does not carry. For the production of chlorophyll, a divalent component is needed. Therefore created special agent- iron chelate. This is a modern and effective microfertilizer containing only one important trace element - 2-valent iron ions.

Iron chelate is great for making up for iron deficiency in plants

Main characteristic

For proper growth and formation, plants need special nutrients that they need to be saturated throughout the entire growing season. Plants fully absorb iron, providing themselves with a balanced diet, protection from disease and proper growth.

Description and release form

Iron deficiency is easily diagnosed by outward signs: light foliage with green veins. Chelated iron is an ion coated with a shell of weak organic acid residues. Pear, apple, plum, cherry, lemon, as well as grapes grown on depleted soils suffer from a lack of an element. Trees bear little fruit, bloom slightly, and the color of the fruit becomes light or pale. The deficit also applies vegetable crops.

Iron deficiency in plants is easily determined by appearance

Separate types indoor flowers are demanding on iron and other trace elements, as they must remain in a closed substance. Azaleas, lemongrass, hydrangeas, gardenias and others are prone to iron deficiency. When the first signs of chlorosis are found, it is necessary to spray the leaves. This will ensure a healthy appearance and full development.

The tasks of iron chelate:

• rapid treatment of infectious chlorosis (yellowing of foliage) even at an advanced stage;
• prevention of chlorosis;
• restoration of plant photosynthesis in bad conditions cultivation (poor soil, deficiency or excess of light, cold or hot weather).

Iron chelate is available by different manufacturers and in different form factors

Compounds of trace elements in the chelated form are more stable than in the form of inorganic salts. Polychelated concentrations of various metals are effective and available to plants: iron, copper, manganese and zinc. Greatest effect the agent gives in combination with boron, improving land reclamation. For example, crops such as radishes and strawberries severely deplete the soil. Joint processing with boric acid will increase productivity.

In powder form or in other solid forms, the chelate is unstable when exposed to air and sunlight.

Benefits of using iron chelate:

• stable immunity to environmental conditions;
• replenishment of micronutrient deficiencies;
• improvement of cellular respiration, metabolism and photosynthesis;
• good plant growth;
• an increase in the amount of iron.

In this video you will learn about the use of iron sulfate:

It is sold in the form of tablets with stabilizers or in vials with a concentrated stock solution. The latter type is a dark brown liquid. The finished working solution is painted in a light brown or orange shade. Fertilizer is stored for one year in its pure form. After opening the package, if the substance was stored in a closed form, the expiration date does not change. The mother liquor in an uncorked container retains its properties for two weeks, the working solution is applied immediately.

Positive effect of fertilizer:

Plants do not have an overdose of iron-containing components, since the roots, leaves and stems will only absorb required amount trace elements.

Dosing and use rules

Affordable price and ease of use will soon solve problems in plants. Root top dressing is used in complex and advanced cases of chlorosis, foliar top dressing is used to prevent the disease.

Also, iron chelate can be used as a prevention of chlorosis.

Foliar, external treatment is the spraying of plants or trees with a spray liquid. Primary treatment is carried out after the foliage unfolds, the next - after two weeks. Fruit trees irrigate 0.8% of chelated iron, and vegetable, berry and ornamental crops- 0.4% solution.

For root irrigation, 0.8% fertilizer is used. The agent is poured under the root in the appropriate volume.

The proportions of the product for root watering:

• 10-20 liters per tree;
• 1-2 liters per bush;
• 4-5 liters per 100 sq. m of vegetables or berries.

The instructions for use may contain other information about the dosage. This is due to the presence of ballast components in different forms release. When recalculating active substance concentration remains the same.

It is important to adhere to the rules and safety precautions for the use of iron chelate

Spraying, irrigation and watering are carried out in evening time, a warm, overcast day is recommended. The atomizer should not spray, but spray a light drizzle. The irrigation procedure is completed when fine dew settles on the leaves. Drops should not roll down.

Before watering under the root, the soil should be well moistened. This is done in advance.

Do-it-yourself microfertilizer

The working solution is prepared from budget vitriol. The chelate forms an acidifier - citric or ascorbic acid. The action of the substance is explained by the fact that when vitriol is dissolved in water, iron ions are formed, which are captured by the chelating agent.

in two liters warm water divalent 8 g of copper sulfate are mixed until completely dissolved. In another bowl, observing a similar proportion, dissolve 5 g of citric acid. A thin stream is added to the resulting acidic solution blue vitriol. Stirring constantly, pour 1 liter of water. The result is a fertilizer with a volume of 5 liters. A solution with a base substance concentration of 0.5% is used immediately.

Iron chelate at home is ready. The suitability of the working composition is determined by the transparency and orange tint of the liquid. There should be no sediment and cloudy color. The finished solution cannot be diluted; if necessary, to obtain a larger volume, increase the amount of water and reagents.

Another option is to add ascorbic acid. Tablets should not contain glucose. Ascorbic acid (10 g) is added to a solution of ferrous sulfate (1 tsp per 0.5 l of water). Dilute 3 liters of water, after the connection is formed chelated iron.

The main disadvantage of creating an iron chelate at home is that it cannot be stored, as the drug oxidizes and precipitates. The decomposed chelate complex does not leave behind compounds harmful to the plant. Its decay products are carbon dioxide and water, which are harmless to the plant.

Safety rules and analogues of the tool

Treat plants in the garden or indoors with iron chelate with extreme caution. There are similar drugs that, in the absence of original fertilizer successfully used in horticulture.

Precautionary measures

The agent belongs to substances of the third class of danger to humans, therefore, the treatment of plants is carried out using agents personal protection. Getting on the skin, the fertilizer often causes inflammation and redness.

Using the drug, you must follow the general safety measures:

At the end of the procedure, you must wash your face and hands with soap, wash your clothes and treat with a soda solution.

Drug substitutes

The agronomic market is represented by a large number of fertilizers and products for feeding horticultural crops. Due to its easy absorption, iron chelate for plants is quite common. This is a versatile and environmentally friendly fertilizer that benefits the garden. Some analogues are identical to iron chelate, while others are inferior in quality.

It is not necessary to use iron chelate, any product containing iron ions will do.

Ferovit is a universal photosynthesis activator. The fertilizer contains chelated iron, urea and nitrogen. This tool is processed all year round vegetable and fruit crops, as well as domestic and ornamental plants. Potted flowers suffer from hard water, which makes the earth alkaline and makes it difficult for iron to be freely absorbed from the soil. Fertilizer saturates the earth with iron, promotes good assimilation ions by plants, saturates seedlings.

Another analogue is Microvit K-1, containing iron, sulfur and nitrogenous compounds. The tool actively fights plant chlorosis, is used for external and root processing during growing season. Citric acid is used as a chelating agent, which protects iron ions from oxidation.

Water-soluble granules and Fertik's water solution are well absorbed by the plant and soil. Plentiful moisture is necessary for granules.

Some time after fertilizing plants with iron, you will find improvements in their condition.

Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) is used instead of chelate. This substrate is cheaper in cost, but also inferior in utility. During the decay of ions, the main part useful substances evaporates. The use of ferrous sulfate leads to excess sulfur and plant burns. Sulfate does not help with depleted soil and poor climatic conditions. This fertilizer should not be used on small areas(up to 10 acres) and in greenhouses).

Microfertilizer Orton Micro-Fe contains iron, boron, cobalt, manganese, zinc and other elements. It is used as a foliar top dressing in order to activate photosynthesis, prevent chlorosis, and increase resistance to diseases.

The introduction of any microelements into the soil or the treatment of plants with them plays the role of a healer for fruit crops.

The use of top dressing with Reakom increases the energy of germination, increases germination, resistance to diseases and bad weather conditions. Foliar top dressings provide even greater absorption of useful elements, accelerate flowering, pollination, and improve the quality of the crop.

It is important to understand that iron is extremely important element for plants, if the problem is not corrected in time, this is negative
will affect the result

Iron is an essential element for plant growth. Its lack leads to a violation of the production of chlorophyll in the leaves, the process of photosynthesis gradually stops. Iron deficiency is felt in alkaline lands. If the content of the element is sufficient, for its assimilation it is necessary to maintain the acidic reaction of the soil. The only form of metal available that is readily absorbed is chelated iron.

(1 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)

Plants require a variety of useful trace elements for normal growth. Iron chelate is one of the most important means for vegetation. Its use is largely to prevent chlorosis. Throughout the life of plants, the need for a substance does not go away, but it can change somewhat, respectively, the dosage should be regulated and selected individually.

Features and positive qualities of iron chelate

Before considering iron chelate, you should learn more about iron, what it is. Iron is an active component, it is necessary for vegetation for life, as it acts as a stimulant of metabolic processes. It is also important for plants because it is actively involved in the release of chlorophyll, and, accordingly, respiration.

What is a chelated form? Chelated iron is an Fe ++ ion that is located inside the ligand shell, consisting of not a large number residues of organic acids. Citric acid is often used to provide chelation. Due to the presence of the shell, foreign ions and molecules that can change the shape of Fe ++ do not penetrate to the substance.

Iron chelate for plants

This microfertilizer is iron in chelate form, that is, a complex compound of iron ions with amino acids. This form of the substance is especially useful for plants, as it can be fully absorbed. The presence of the component provides high-quality nutrition for the healthy development of the plant. Its amount is somewhat less than macronutrients, but exceeds various micronutrients. Due to the need for a large amount of the substance, chelated iron becomes indispensable for the gardener.

Iron chelate deficiency will result in a marked deterioration of the plant, it may be prone to chlorosis. A pathological change in the metabolic function in a plant is associated with a violation of the synthesis of chlorophyll in the foliage. The most characteristic manifestation is the excessive lightness of the leaves and noticeable green veins on them.

For plants, iron is needed in the chelate form of fertilizer, otherwise an acute deficiency of the substance develops, which leads to chlorosis. The solution to the problem is solved by feeding with chelate complexes.

It is possible to determine that iron chelate is required for plants by the following characteristic features:

• young leaves begin to turn yellow and green streaks characteristic of the disease appear;
• the size of the leaves are reduced;
• flowers, ovaries or foliage fall off without noticeable external causes;
• flowers grow, but have an irregular shape;
• the growth of the rhizome system stops, and with the development of the disease, it dies off;
• the development of greenery and tops stops;
• the edges of the leaves are curled.

Fertilizer for plants microelement Iron Chelate

If you find these symptoms, perhaps not all at once, it is worth treating the disease with the help of chelated fertilizers.

Iron chelate has many advantages:

• absolutely non-toxic;
• can be combined with other mineral-type preparations;
• easily soluble in water and leaves no residue;
• easily assimilated by all cultures;
• resistant to the influence of harmful and beneficial microorganisms;
• It has high performance transportation, when penetrating the foliage, it is quickly distributed throughout the stem and rhizome;
• can be used together with pesticides;
• universal, as it can be used for foliar and root top dressing.

It is important to remember that with an excess of chalk or dolomite impurities in the soil, iron can become completely useless, as it will not be absorbed by plants. In this condition of the soil, it will be extremely difficult for plants to cover the deficiency in iron chelate for plants.

Chelated fertilizers can be rendered unusable by an oxidizing process that is activated when it reacts with oxygen. It will be impossible to restore the suitability of the component after that.

Iron chelate treats plant chlorosis

The effect of the drug on indoor plants

iron chelate for indoor views plants is especially important, because due to the small amount of land, a deficiency of useful microcomponents is often formed. Due to the lack of various substances, the flower becomes ill and sometimes dies. Chelated fertilizers are especially important for such plants:

• citrus;
• gardenia;
• hydrangeas;
• azaleas;
• clerodendrum.

Chelate complexes are important for them, since the deficiency has an acute effect on the condition of plants. Most flower growers know this feature of the listed varieties, and even before the onset of symptoms of the disease, they carry out regular feeding.

The instruction for the use of the drug has recommendations regarding the implementation of preventive measures for fertilizing the plant with iron. With a sufficient amount of trace elements, flowers and other plants are distinguished by the rapid development and high level natural immunity to stressful conditions and chlorosis disease. Even after the onset of the disease, the plant can be cured, but it is impossible to delay feeding, otherwise you can be late.

iron chelate for indoor plants very important

Application on various types of soil

Instructions for use and reviews indicate that fertilizers perform well in various types soil and climatic zones. In relation to soil with an excess amount of carbon, such an additive is the only effective microfertilizer.

When comparing the effectiveness of influence on various types of soil, the agent significantly outperforms other types of microelements. The performance gap between the compared groups reaches 200-1000%.

Applications of iron chelate for plants

The use of iron chelate varies greatly depending on the expected effect and the reason for use. Depending on whether the product is used for the prevention or restoration of the plant, the dosage, the fertilizer application interval and the application period may differ.

For retail customers, the store sells fertilizer in small packages or the product can be prepared independently

Prevention

The drug should be diluted at a concentration of 5 g per bucket of water. After obtaining a homogeneous solution, the green part of the plant is sprayed. It is recommended to carry out processing from 2 times. For the first time, you can use the drug after the release of the first leaflet, and it is worth continuing the procedure throughout the entire growing season. It is preferable to maintain an interval of 2 weeks between sprayings.

The last time it is necessary to carry out processing even before the flowering of the plant. The consumption of the drug is 1 liter per 10 m 2 .

Microfertilizer Iron Chelate

For the treatment of plant diseases, it is worth doubling the dosage to 5 g per 5 liters of water - the concentration is valid for all fruit trees. All other cultures require the use of a solution of 5 g per 8 liters of water. After preparing the mixture, it is worth spraying abundantly all the greenery of trees or plants.

Number of treatments 2 per month at regular intervals. To achieve a positive result, it is worth performing the procedure from 4 times.

For amplification medicinal properties the drug required for the advanced form of chlorosis, root feeding can be carried out. To perform pouring, it is worth making a solution of 5 g per 5 liters of water and cover the ground with the substance, 2 liters of liquid are used per 1 m 2.

The drug is relatively safe and practically incapable of harming a person, but before using it is worth taking care of ground rules personal safety:

• use rubber gloves before handling;
• after spraying or pouring, be sure to wear a change of clothes;
• a protective cap should be worn on the head, a scarf, cap, etc. will do;
• be sure to protect the organs of vision and breathing by wearing a gauze bandage and goggles - this is important when spraying the substance;
• after the end of the procedure, you need to wash your hands, face and exposed skin with a soapy solution under running water;
• in case of contact with the mucous membranes, rinse immediately with plain tap water.

To save useful properties substances must be stored in a dark place, which is closed to children. The recommended temperature is from 0 °C. The duration of storage, subject to the above conditions, is not limited.

Treatment of chlorosis with iron chelate

Making iron chelate at home

Making fertilizer is possible with your own hands; this does not require special qualifications or special tools. At self-cooking You can save a significant part of the cost compared to the purchase of the finished product.

There are 2 main methods of self-preparation of the drug, and both require availability. It will have to be bought, but the cost of the product is much lower than the finished fertilizer.

First way

To prepare iron chelate, you will need to buy ascorbic acid, it is sold in all pharmacies, it is inexpensive. It is important to clarify the absence of glucose in the composition, the agent with glucose is not suitable for the task.

Cooking algorithm:

• A solution of ferrous sulfate is being prepared according to the instructions. Add 1 tsp to the mixture. vitriol per 500 ml of liquid.
• 10 g of ascorbic acid is added to the prepared composition.
• Add 3 liters of boiled water to the mixture. After thoroughly mixing all the ingredients, it turns out ready solution.

The dosage of homemade iron chelate is approximately 0.5%. This concentration is optimal for spraying plants.

Making iron chelate at home

Second way

In this option, ascorbic acid will be replaced by a more accessible substance - citric acid, which is sold in most grocery stores. To prepare the working composition, you should:

• Prepare 3 liters of boiled water.
• Add 1 tbsp to the jar. l. acids.
• Then 1 tsp is added. vitriol.
• After high-quality stirring, a liquid with orange, it is ready for use.

The properties of homemade chelated iron are almost as good as purchase options, but the storage of the substance is greatly reduced. Ferum is prone to oxidation and precipitation, making the liquid useless after several days of waiting.

Application methods

In the instructions for the substance, there are 2 main ways to use the drug: foliar and root. Foliar spraying is predominantly used, this method is sufficient for most purposes. The use of root dressing is justified only in cases of advanced forms of chlorosis, when the concentration of the substance is insufficient.

Main ways:

• foliar treatment is spraying the foliage of trees or plants with a spray gun. For healthy plants, it is worth carrying out 2 treatment procedures for high-quality prevention. With the development of chlorosis, the plant is covered with iron chelate 4 times. For the first time, processing is carried out after throwing out 1 leaf, then with an exposure of 15–20 days. For fruit trees, a concentration of 0.8% is suitable, and for the rest - 0.4%;
• for root dressing, a solution at a dosage of 0.8% is used. It is poured under the rhizome of the plant, it is better to prepare the holes so that the liquid does not spread. 1-2 buckets are added under 1 tree, 1-2 liters under 1 bush, with full coverage - 4-5 liters are used per 100 m 2.

Chelated iron is the key to the quality development of plants and protection from chlorosis. Doing it yourself can save you time and money. Due to its cheapness, safety and ease of use, the product is well suited for beginner gardeners.

The lack of trace elements in depleted soils has a detrimental effect on the development of plants. Particularly affected by the lack nutrients crops growing on alkaline soil in arid climates. For better assimilation of trace elements, chelation is used. What is iron chelate, and how is it useful for seedlings? Let's consider the issue in detail.

Chelates and their importance in horticulture

Cultivated plants require trace elements for proper development, which form the basis of their growth. Trace elements are involved in biochemical processes, regulate metabolism, activate enzymes. Trace elements increase plant immunity, resistance to adverse external factors.

For example, iron deficiency in the soil affects the quality of seedling development: the leaves turn yellow, the shoots dry out, the inflorescences do not gain strength, the fruits are poorly tied. Iron and other minerals are necessary for plants throughout the growing season in order for the leaf apparatus to actively produce chlorophyll.

Minerals are found in the soil, but over time their amount decreases. Experienced gardeners regularly contribute micro and macro elements, organic fertilizers and agrochemicals to replenish the missing substances.

Chelates are called fertilizers, in which inorganic substances enclosed in a nutritious organic shell. Thanks to this, seedlings can easily absorb the necessary trace elements. Chelates act as conductors that deliver trace elements to cultivated plants.

Important! Iron chelate provides the synthesis of chlorophyll.

Inorganic elements do not always manage to penetrate the leaf surface, and organic coating provides them with access to plant tissues. The chelated shell reliably protects the microelements contained in it, at the same time allowing them to be easily absorbed by plants.

However, not every trace element is able to form chelate compounds. Therefore, chelated fertilizers can be created based on:

• gland;
• calcium;
• manganese;
• molybdenum;
• copper;
• magnesium;
• cobalt;
• zinc;
• boron.

Note! Potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen do not form a chelate form.

Chelated fertilizers are absorbed by plants by almost 90%, unlike conventional agrochemicals, because they do not interact with the soil. Chelating elements keep metal ions in a soluble form that is easily absorbed by plants. They combine well with pesticides, insecticides and other mineral fertilizers. However, farmers recommend pre-checking the preparations for compatibility.

Note! In nature, vitamin B12 and chlorophyll act as chelates.

Chelated fertilizers are used for seed dressing, and for, and for spraying seedlings. However, before buying the drug, it is necessary to clarify what type of chelates it contains, and for what type of soil it is used: the acidity index pH matters.

iron chelate

Iron chelate is produced either in tablet form with stabilizers, or in the form of a dark-colored ready-made solution. The working solution must be used on the day of preparation.

Chelating drugs are complex, and there are single ones. For example, Fe-DTPA or Fe-EDTA. Iron chelate for plants contains water-soluble ferrous ions Fe (II), with which you can:

• save the plant from yellowing leaves;
• prevent chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves);
• strengthen the resistance of plants to adverse conditions;
• enhance photosynthesis.

Chelated microfertilizers are especially needed for radishes and strawberries, which draw many micronutrients from the soil. Farmers use iron chelate together with boron. The soil nourished with boron and iron allows you to harvest a rich strawberry crop from the same site for 7-8 years.

The soil contains iron oxide (rust) in excess, but this compound is not useful for plants. The formation of chlorophyll requires the divalent compound Fe(II), which is more actively absorbed by plant tissues. The chelate shell quickly breaks down into its constituents - water and carbon. These are safe compounds that do not clog the soil.

Sandstones are the poorest in iron; vegetation on such soils always becomes ill with chlorosis. Clay soils and chernozem suffer less from a lack of iron compounds, so fertilizer is used less often - once every 3 or 5 years.

Benefits of iron chelate:

• dissolves well in water;
• non-toxic to plants;
• quickly absorbed by plant tissues;
• mixes well with other fertilizers and pesticides;
• used for foliar and root feeding.

Note! Rusty water cannot serve as a source of iron, since it is in a form that is difficult for plants to access.

Effect of fertilizer on plants:

• strengthens resistance to adverse weather conditions;
• increases resistance to diseases;
• activates the growth and development of seedlings;
• corrects metabolic processes;
• promotes the production of chlorophyll.

Fruit trees are especially affected by iron deficiency. Apples, pears and plums do not set fruit well, give a meager, tasteless harvest. Vegetable crops often get sick, seedlings do not take root well in the ground and bear little fruit.

However, an excess of iron in the soil is just as dangerous as a deficiency. Signs of an excess of a microelement are:

• stopping the plant in growth;
• the color of the leaves becomes saturated;
• leaf cover crumbles;
• dark spots appear on the surface of the leaves.

It is important not to overdo it with feeding seedlings with microelements. Carefully follow the dosage of drugs indicated in the instructions.

Application norms

Vegetable crops - take 5 g per bucket of water, a liter of working solution is consumed per 10 square meters. The liquid is applied when the first four leaves appear on the seedlings. Then spraying is carried out after 2 weeks. Processing is carried out before the formation of buds.

Fruit plants are fed with the same working solution in a volume of 2 liters per square meter. Water fruit trees around the trunk when the first leaves appear. Then top dressing is carried out during budding.

Note! The dosage of the drug may vary, depending on the presence of additional substances in the solution.

Mode of application:

• processing of plants is carried out in the morning / evening in warm weather;
• the solution is used in sprayers, creating a cloud of spray;
• do not allow drops of the solution to roll off the leaves;
• Root top dressing is carried out on pre-moistened soil.

Spraying is usually used to prevent iron deficiency in plants. To do this, use either conventional spray guns or special sprayers. Healthy plants can be treated twice a season, sick ones require more frequent spraying - 4 times.

Primary processing is carried out immediately after the unfolding of the first leaves, secondary - after 2-3 weeks. For vegetables and berry crops a 4% solution is suitable, for fruit trees - 8%. For vineyards and ornamental plants use a 4% solution.

For root feeding, an 8% solution is used. Plants are watered with a solution under the root on previously irrigated soil. 1-2 buckets are spent per fruit tree, a couple of liters per berry bush, 4 liters per 10 m2 for feeding vegetable crops.

Can an overdose of iron chelate burn plant roots? A chemical burn is possible only if large doses of the drug are used.

However, the available form of chelated iron can become useless if there is a lot of chalk in the soil or a working solution. long time was in the open state.

Self-preparation of fertilizer

To prepare a working solution of iron chelate yourself, use a simple iron sulfate. Such a solution is no different from the purchased substrate, with the exception of the content of ballast substances. Therefore, it should be used strictly in the norm. The disadvantage of a self-made solution is the limitation in use: it is suitable only for preventive purposes.

Cooking method number 1

• 8 grams of vitriol is dissolved in two liters of warm water;
• 5 grams of citric acid are dissolved in the same volume of liquid, but in a different container;
• then you need to pour the vitriol solution into the citric acid solution in a thin stream with continuous stirring;
• at the end, one liter of water should be poured into the finished mixture, without ceasing to stir.

The result is 5 liters of working solution for plant treatment. It is impossible to store the finished liquid, it must be used up immediately. Make sure that the solution is clean, without any sediment. The color of the liquid should be orange.

Cooking method number 2

To do this, instead of citric acid, you should take pharmacy ascorbic acid. However, when buying, specify that the powder does not contain glucose additive.

• prepare a solution of ferrous sulfate - take 2 tsp of substrate per liter of water;
• add 20 g of ascorbic acid to the finished solution;
• pour 3 liters of clean water, pre-boiled and cooled, into a container with a solution.

You will end up with a chelated iron solution ready to be sprayed. Keep in mind that the solution quickly forms a precipitate: use it immediately.

Characteristics of drugs

Ferovit is a universal photosynthesis stimulant. This fertilizer contains urea, nitrogen and chelated iron. The drug is intended for the treatment of all horticultural crops and ornamental plants all year round. Indoor flowers often suffer from hard water, which alkalizes the earth and creates obstacles for the free absorption of iron from the soil.

The use of Ferovit eliminates iron deficiency in the soil, promotes the rapid absorption of ions by plants, and nourishes seedlings. After applying the drug, the seedlings give friendly shoots, the ovary is actively formed on the fruit trees. Ferovit protects plants from rot damage, powdery mildew and brown rust.

Note! The chelated form of fertilizer is most suitable for summer plant nutrition: the substrate does not burn the roots and leaves.

For preventive treatment, spraying is carried out. The solution is prepared from a liter of water and 1.5 ml of the drug. Fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetable and ornamental crops are sprayed at least three times per season (a break between treatments is 2 weeks). With a pronounced iron deficiency, the plants are treated every week until the green color is restored.

Processing of indoor flowers and seedlings is carried out weekly - 1.5 mg of the drug is taken per 2 liters of water. Ground vegetables are treated every two weeks for prevention. Strawberry beds are sprayed with a solution of 1.5 mg per liter, the treatment area is 5 m2. Processing of bushes is carried out once with the growth of leaves.

The composition of the preparation Mikrovit K-1 contains sulfur, nitrogen and iron. This is very effective remedy to combat plant chlorosis. Microvit is used for foliar / root treatment of seedlings during the vegetative period. From a concentrated solution, you can prepare any required volume of working fluid. Citric acid is used as a chelating agent, which protects iron ions from oxidation.

Fertika preparation is a water-soluble granules and an aqueous solution. The granules are pre-dissolved in water, and then the seedlings are watered. Also, the granules can be scattered over the area and dug up. To fertilize seedlings, before transplanting into the ground, granules mixed with the ground are poured into each hole. When using granules, sufficient irrigation of the earth is necessary, since they release active substances only when moistened.\

Alternative

FeSO4 sulfate can be used instead of iron chelate. This substrate is much cheaper than chelate, but there is little benefit from it for plants. During the decay of ions, most of the useful substances disappear. In addition, the use of ferrous sulfate can lead to an overdose of sulfur and a chemical burn of plants.

Ferrous sulfate is ineffective on depleted soil and under adverse climatic conditions. It is also not effective to use this fertilizer in small areas (up to 12 acres and in greenhouses).

iron chelate received wide use due to its easily digestible form. These versatile and environmentally friendly fertilizers bring great benefit plants. Inorganic salts are poorly absorbed by the roots and leaves of seedlings, so the effectiveness of conventional agrochemicals is very low. Chelates are highly active, since trace element ions are in a biological shell.

Iron chelate eliminates such a common pathology as premature yellowing and wilting of plant leaves. However, the richest harvest from the site can be obtained by correctly combining mineral supplements with organic. Trace elements nourish plants with essential substances, and organic matter structures the soil and saturates it with humus.

What mineral fertilizer did you use?

Poll Options are limited because JavaScript is disabled in your browser.

You can select multiple answers or enter your own.