“ With any chemicals we use , careful application is extremely important
NUTRIENT CHEMICALS
PESTICIDE CHEMICALS
“ With any chemicals we use , careful application is extremely important
and the importance of reading the label can ’ t be overstated enough .”
NUTRIENT CHEMICALS
The nutrients you use in your garden are also chemicals , and they can be produced synthetically or naturally . Take nitrogen , for example . In its elemental form , it is an anion ( has a negative charge ). However , plants are unable to directly absorb nitrogen anions . The nitrogen must first be converted into nitrate anions or ammonium cations ( which have positive charges ). Nitrogen-fixing bacteria can do this naturally in the soil , while commercial fertilizer manufacturers have processes that synthetically perform this vital conversion . In the end , the same chemical is produced . Regardless of how they were
created , some of these chemicals are synergistic to each other in that the uptake of one will benefit the uptake of another . Take chlorides , for example . A chloride is an anion . It moves easily with water throughout grow media and does not absorb into soil particles . Research has found chloride ions increase the activity of cations ( which have positive charges ) in soil and nutrient solutions as well as increase the uptake of cations through the entire growth period .
This means an adequate supply of chlorides , from sources such as potassium chloride , increases absorption of cations and boosts yield . There are also antagonistic relationships between some nutrients . Studies on tomato growing demonstrated that an increase in nitrogen influenced a decrease in plant phosphorus uptake . In this same study , this increase of nitrogen created additional uptake of calcium , iron , and zinc . In contrast , when phosphorus was increased , plant uptake of iron and manganese improved , while nitrogen , potassium , calcium , and magnesium uptake decreased . Synergism and antagonism cause interactions between plant nutrients . Negative ions are balanced by positive ions . An abundance of negative ions , however , acts antagonistically to the effect other ions have on plant nutrient uptake . Sometimes the soil solution reactions are complicated , and antagonism between ions becomes obvious . A key lesson here is to follow application instructions .
Overloading the soil or grow media with one nutrient could adversely affect the plant uptake of others . Also , always read the label before using a chemical . This is where the dangers of mixing , fumes , or application are presented .
PESTICIDE CHEMICALS
This category of chemicals includes fungicides , insecticides , biocides , and herbicides . These kill diseases , insects , and other pests . They can play a big role in helping growers keep crops healthy and productive , and they ’ re vital for saving a plant from decline and death .
68 Maximum Yield