Preparation and application of iron chelate for plants. Iron chelate: features and methods of preparation Non-traditional method - rusty nails from chlorosis

For normal growth and development, plants need different nutrients that they need to be supplied throughout their life. Iron chelate is the most important microfertilizer that provides reliable protection against the manifestation of a disease such as chlorosis. Another substance is used to improve the processes of photosynthesis in plants growing on poor soil.

Benefits of iron chelate for plants

The peculiarity of the substance is that it is iron in the chelated form. This allows it to be easily and completely absorbed by plants, providing them with a balanced diet for proper growth. For greens, iron is an intermediate. It does not require as much as macronutrients, but not as little as micronutrients. Therefore, this element is an indispensable component for plants.

Iron deficiency is easy to identify by the appearance of the plant: a light leaf plate and typical green veins on it are all symptoms of chlorosis. The disease is formed against the background of a failure in the production of chlorophyll in the foliage.

Chlorosis manifests itself with a strong deficiency of iron in the soil or as a result of disturbances in the assimilation of the element in this form by the plant. To solve the problem, it is necessary to change the methods of agricultural technology and apply fertilizers.

Characteristics of microfertilizer

Iron is actively involved in metabolic processes, but is also part of the enzymes that normalize respiration and the formation of chlorophyll.

Key Features

The main positive qualities of chelated iron:

The main feature of the substance is its availability for plants. Many believe that rusty water is also a source of iron, but this is a misconception. Yes, it is there, but in this form the substance does not dissolve and can have a detrimental effect on the plant.

In some cases, even the element's accessible form may not be useful. For instance:

1. If the soil contains dolomite or chalk. These two components reduce the access of the substance to the plant. Even if there is enough of it in the soil, there will still be a lack.
2. As a result of oxidation, the available form of iron may become inaccessible. This reaction occurs due to the interaction of the element with oxygen.

Application for plants

Iron occupies one of the leading places among all trace elements for plants. It is a guarantor of the timely biosynthesis of chlorophyll and a reliable protector against various diseases, including chlorosis. Promotes the proper development, vegetation and activation of all life processes that ensure the full growth of plants.

Regular use of microfertilizer guarantees:

This microfertilizer can be used as top dressing for foliar and root tillage. With significant signs of iron deficiency, the maximum effect can be achieved by using it in foliar treatment of affected leaves.

Fruit trees especially suffer from the lack of the element - pear, apple, plum, peach, cherry, citrus trees, as well as grapes grown on poor soils. Symptoms of the disease are expressed in poor yields, poor flowering and dull fruit color. Deficiency also negatively affects vegetable crops - potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, cabbage.

DIY chelated iron

Microfertilizer can be bought in specialty stores, but you can also prepare your own chelate at home, which will be more economical. Below are two methods that use iron sulfate, which is several times cheaper than the finished powder of the substance.

The first way - ascorbic acid

This method will require ascorbic acid, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. The only condition is that glucose should not be present in the composition of ascorbic acid.

Cooking steps:

• ascorbic acid (10 g) is added to a solution of ferrous sulfate (1 teaspoon per 500 ml of water);
• the resulting mixture is diluted with boiled water (3 liters), after stirring, an iron chelate is formed.

Everything, the solution is ready to use. The concentration of such a solution will be approximately equal to 0.5%, so it can be used for spraying.

The second way is citric acid

To prepare this method, citric acid is used, you can buy it at any grocery store. Manufacturing steps:

• citric acid (1 tablespoon) and iron sulfate (1 teaspoon) are introduced into boiled water (3 liters);
• when thoroughly mixed, a light orange mixture is obtained.

The main disadvantage of making iron chelate at home is that it cannot be stored for a long time, as iron oxidizes and precipitates.

Instructions for use

As mentioned above, the solution is used as a root or foliar top dressing. Root top dressing is recommended for especially severe cases of chlorosis, foliar top dressing - for the prevention of the disease. It is important to remember that iron chelate is a substance of the third class of danger to people, therefore, when working with it, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment.

Foliar processing

Foliar treatment means spraying with a solution of diseased trees or plants from a spray bottle. For preventive purposes, spraying is carried out 2 times, while diseased plants are sprayed 4 times.

The first treatment is carried out after the foliage unfolds, the next - after 14–21 days. It is advisable to spray fruit trees with 0.8% iron chelate, and vegetable, berry, field, ornamental crops and vineyards with a solution of 0.4%.

root processing

For root treatment, a 0.8% solution is used. Use it for watering the plant directly under the root or in pre-prepared holes (20–25 cm).

Watering is carried out in the following proportions:

• 10-20 liters - per tree;
• 1-2 liters - per bush;
• 4-5 liters - per 100 square meters of vegetable or berry crops.

Other dosages can be read in the instructions for using liquid branded or chelated iron tablets. This is due to the content of ballast components in a solution or tablet. But when recalculated for the active substance, the concentration will still remain the same.

So, if the plants are ill with chlorosis or it is necessary to improve their photosynthesis, there is no better helper than iron chelate. Ease of preparation, application and its low cost are undeniable arguments in favor of its use.

Iron chelate is widely used to treat disorders in the formation of chlorophyll, as well as to stimulate photosynthetic processes in crops growing on depleted soils. This substance is not in short supply and is quite cheap, so most often it is purchased ready-made. However, you can make top dressing with your own hands, adhering to the technology and observing the proportions of the main components.

Iron chelate is not scarce and is quite cheap

Chemical composition and features

Pure iron chelate is a dirty orange powder, odorless and tasteless. According to its chemical structure, it is an atom of divalent iron enclosed in a shell of compounds of a weak organic acid. There is no covalent bond between the mentioned elements, therefore the valency of the chelate ferum remains unchanged until the shell breaks up. The main purpose of the ligand is to protect the main substance from interaction with other active molecules capable of reducing iron to a trivalent form.

For plants, iron chelate is extremely useful, since it not only participates in metabolic processes, but is also part of the enzymes that stabilize oxygen metabolism and normalize the formation of a characteristic green foliage pigment.

Among the positive properties of the chelate form of the substance are:

• complete absence of toxicity;
• compatibility with mineral supplements and most pesticides;
• good solubility in water;
• high transport activity and easy digestibility;
• versatility in application.

It is widely believed that rusty water is also a source of iron. The element is indeed present there, however, in an insoluble form, which has a detrimental effect on the root system of plants.

Moreover, in some cases, even an accessible form may turn out to be useless:

1. If the soil contains an increased amount of chalk or dolomite. The mentioned components interfere with the normal absorption of iron - its lack will be felt even with regular application.
2. With the active interaction of the element with oxygen. In this case, oxidation will not allow crops to receive the required amount of fertilizer.

Instructions for use

Iron chelate is a universal drug, which can be used for both root dressing and spraying. The first method is resorted to in cases of advanced chlorosis, and the second is more suitable for preventive treatments.

It is possible to determine that plants suffer from a lack of iron by the following signs:

• young leaves begin to turn yellow, characteristic yellowish veins appear on them;
• there is a pronounced crushing of the leaves;
• flowers, buds and foliage fall off for no apparent reason;
• the growth of green mass stops;
• ugly irregularly shaped flowers appear on the plant;
• the edges of the leaves are folded into tubules.

Carrying out root feeding involves the preparation of a 0.8% working solution and its further use for watering plants. The average fertilizer consumption is 4-5 liters for every 100 m² of land. Under fruit trees, two buckets of liquid are usually brought in.

Foliar top dressing is carried out by spraying the foliage of plants with a ready-made solution from a fine spray gun. First preventive treatment carried out immediately after bud break, subsequent - with an interval of 14 days. If the plant shows clear signs of iron deficiency, four sprays should be carried out, and two will be enough to prevent chlorosis. It is desirable to treat trees with a 0.8% solution, vegetable, berry and ornamental crops - 0.4%. The best time for spraying is early morning or evening hours.

Since ferum quickly precipitates in the finished solution, preparations based on it must be stored undiluted. It is strongly recommended to protect the substance from direct sunlight. The maximum allowable storage period is one and a half years.

DIY fertilizer

Making iron chelate at home is not difficult at all - this does not require special knowledge or professional equipment. There are two ways to cook it yourself, and both involve the use of ferrous sulfate (in other words, iron sulfate), which must be purchased ahead of time at any agricultural store.

There are two ways to make fertilizer:

The properties of a self-made iron chelate are practically not inferior to purchased options, but its shelf life is much shorter.

Since the substance is prone to rapid oxidation and precipitation, unused liquid will become useless after 2 weeks.

Iron chelate is a very useful substance that can not only cure chlorosis, but also prevent its occurrence. The drug has an affordable price and is sold in all agricultural stores, and if you wish, you can cook it yourself.

To obtain good yields, plants must be provided not only with basic nutrients, but also with microelements. Iron, along with copper, zinc, boron, manganese, cobalt and molybdenum, is among the seven most important. Iron chelate allows you to effectively feed the plants with this element. About what it is, how to use the drug and cook it with your own hands, will be discussed in the material.

Benefits of chelated mineral supplements

First of all, it is important to understand that nutrients are absorbed by plants only in a bioavailable form. Ordinary mineral fertilizers ( see → ) before it can be taken up by plants, it often has to go through a series of transformations. In chelated substances, the substances are initially in a bioavailable state. Chelated fertilizers penetrate better into plant cells, due to which they are absorbed by 90%. Ordinary mineral compounds absorb only 40-70%.

In addition to this important advantage, chelated fertilizers have an impressive list of others:

• do not have a phytotoxic effect;
• do not affect the acidity of the soil;
• do not accumulate in the soil, causing its salinization;
• do not enter into a chemical reaction with other substances, forming unwanted compounds;
• perfectly soluble in water and well absorbed by the roots and leaves.

Being organomineral fertilizers, chelates do not harm the ecological state of the site and can be used on any type of soil.

Iron chelate: characteristics and purpose

Externally, iron chelate is a dark red fine powder. The molecules of this substance are complexes formed by iron itself and a chelating agent. Various organic acids can act as the latter:

As can be seen from the table, different iron chelates exhibit unequal stability in the external environment. So, for example, an EDTA-chelated product will work well in acidic soils, but will degrade in calcareous soils. These nuances must be considered when buying.

The main purpose of iron chelate is the treatment of non-infectious chlorosis caused by a deficiency of this trace element. Also, the drug can be used for prophylactic purposes.

Tip #1. Information about the chelating agent can be found on the package of the drug. It is usually given as a Latin abbreviation.

Signs of iron deficiency in plants

The most sensitive to iron deficiency in the soil are such crops as tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, raspberries, apple trees, apricots, cherries, cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, grapes and greenhouse citrus plants. Their deficient state is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• the upper young leaves lose their color, the lower old ones remain green;
• chlorotic areas of pale yellow, almost white color appear between the veins;
• areas affected by chlorosis expand, capture the entire interveinal space, leaving only the veins green.

The plant, being unable to carry out photosynthesis normally, slows down growth, sheds flowers and ovaries. If new leaves appear on it, then they already turn out to be chlorotic when deployed.

Non-infectious chlorosis in plants occurs because chlorophyll in the cells ceases to be synthesized and is destroyed. All the described signs are a signal for immediate feeding of plants with iron chelate.

The effect of iron chelate on plants

Iron plays an important role in the biochemical processes occurring in the plant cell:

• participates in the synthesis of chlorophyll;
• participates in the transfer of electrons during photosynthesis;
• participates in the construction of proteins that restore nitrites and sulfates;
• involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids.

It follows that iron chelate can be used not only for the treatment and prevention of iron deficiency chlorosis. Treatment with this drug allows you to achieve the following goals:

• increase photosynthetic activity and cellular respiration of plants growing in the shade;
• improve the condition of seedlings in the absence of additional illumination with phytolamps;
• normalize nitrogen metabolism in cells and improve the absorption of other mineral elements;
• improve pollen quality, stimulate flowering and fruiting.

Thus, iron chelate indirectly affects the volume and quality of the crop.

Ways to use iron chelate

One of the advantages of iron chelate is that this drug is equally well absorbed through the roots and through the leaves. This property allows you to use it for top dressing by any means.

Most often, chelate solutions are used for leaf dressing. To do this, the right amount of powder is dissolved in water. The concentration of the working solution is as follows:

• for feeding fruit trees - 5 g per 5 liters of water;
• for other crops - 5 g per 8 liters of water.

You can spray plants with iron chelate throughout the growing season. However, the greatest efficiency is observed when processing during the period of active growth - in late spring and the first half of summer. At this time, you need to do four foliar top dressing with an interval of 2 weeks.

Equally useful is the delivery of iron chelate with irrigation water. The solution is made in the same way as for spraying, only its concentration in any case should be 5 g of chelate per 5 liters of water. For 1 m 2 of soil during irrigation, you need to spend about 2 liters of working solution.

Important! If treatment with iron chelate is carried out for medicinal purposes, it is necessary to stop feeding only after the symptoms of chlorosis disappear. This can be done both on the sheet and under the root. If the growing leaves acquire a normal color, then the iron deficiency is replenished.

Manufacturers of iron chelate and drug prices

Powdered iron chelate can be purchased from various agrochemical manufacturers:

Iron chelate can also be produced in liquid form. In particular, it is included in the "Hydroponics Kit Micro" solution, which can be used not only for hydroponic growing of plants, but also for watering the soil.

Do-it-yourself preparation of iron chelate

Considering that the consumption of iron chelate and the working solution is quite high, and at least four treatments are required to achieve the effect, this drug cannot be called cheap. Fortunately, iron can be easily chelated at home. For this, substances that are available to any summer resident will fit:

• ascorbic or citric acid, apple cider vinegar;
• inkstone.

These acids form unstable compounds with iron molecules, so you need to prepare homemade chelates immediately before use. If they are stored for a long time, the solutions age, change color, and iron precipitates.

Citric acid has an important property that will allow not only to feed plants with iron. In biochemistry, there is such a thing as the Krebs cycle. This is the basis of plant cell metabolism, thanks to which it is supplied with energy. The chemical reactions that take place in this case occur with the participation of citric acid.

To make iron chelate, you need to take iron sulfate powder and citric acid in a ratio of 1: 1.5⊕ . For example, to prepare 1 liter of chelate solution

4 g of acid and 2.5 g of vitriol are required. First, the acid dissolves completely in water. Then vitriol is gradually mixed into the solution. The result is a lemon-colored liquid that contains 0.5 g/l of ferrous iron in the form of citrate.

If ascorbic acid in tablets is taken for chelation, it must be pure, without dyes and glucose. Tablets are pre-ground into powder. A half-liter jar of water will require 10 g of ascorbic acid. After dissolving the acid, 1 teaspoon of ferrous sulfate is introduced into the solution. Then everything is diluted with water - the final volume of liquid should be equal to 3 liters.

Why is it the chelated form of iron that is most “respected” by plant breeders of all iron compounds? Why not just put a handful of its red oxide (simply rust) under the root of the culture? Much easier, and let yourself digest!

However, nature in choosing a remedy for the treatment and strengthening of plant health turned out to be much wiser than a person - and gave the farmers this particular "iron" salt.

Curious, what is so special about her that would not be in others?

Physical and chemical characteristics

To be extremely brief, chemical compounds are called chelates, where the role of the base forming the center belongs to a positively charged metal ion. Several anions are grouped around it - negatively charged molecular "fragments" of organic substances (acids, phenols or various compounds of a different nature).

As a result, a complex is formed with a metal center - the core, surrounded on the outside by a whole "garland" of phenolic rings or acid anions. Due to their presence, the reliably isolated central metal ion is well protected from the need for further response - participation in chemical reactions. The connection is as strong as it is easily mobile.

The most famous examples of chelate complexes are natural pigments:

• heme (with iron as part of hemoglobin);
• chlorophyll (pigment of the "green blood of plants");
• hemocyanin (copper-based, which gives the blood of octopuses a bluish-blue color).

The importance of iron for the existence and maintenance of life in nature cannot be overestimated. Despite the fact that the role of "first violin" in the life of green plants belongs to magnesium (which is the basis of chlorophyll), iron has no less value for their existence.

This metal is part of the substances that catalyze chemical reactions - enzymes that favor the process of photosynthesis in the green "palms" of plants.

Given that it is with chlorophyll that the course of all biochemical reactions in the leaves is associated (as a result of which solar energy is either absorbed or stored for future use), it becomes clear that without iron the plant will simply die (not to mention the possibility of procreation in the form of seeds).

Of the essential physical properties that are valuable for plant breeders and inherent in chelated iron, it is worth noting:

• ease both for dissolution in water, and in terms of assimilation by plants;
• high ability to penetrate through the leaves;
• significant value of a substance as a vehicle (for moving organic compounds inside a plant organism).

The above qualities make the drug a universal remedy, suitable for both foliar and root feeding.

In addition, chelated iron:

• cannot be "spoiled" by microorganisms - it is simply not absorbed by them;
• non-toxic to the human body, unlike copper sulfate and;
• compatible with both fertilizers - and pesticides (with their simultaneous use).

An indisputable value is the fact that making iron chelate with your own hands is as easy as buying it in a store.

The effect of iron chelate on plants

The easiest way to explain the need for iron for plant life is by the “contrary” method. It has long been found out that a significant (or absolute) discoloration of the leaves, leading to an almost complete halt in the growth and development of crops, is associated precisely with a deficiency in their green parts of iron. Such blanching or complete loss of color is called chlorosis (by the way, anemia in humans, which is a consequence of a lack of iron in the blood, is called exactly the same).

Iron deficiency should be distinguished from other deficient conditions. So, if, with a lack of magnesium, the veins of the brightened leaves do not lose their green color, then a lack of nitrogen leads to the appearance of young leaves of a very small size, and the old ones turn yellow in the direction from the top to the petiole. If potassium deficiency causes only perforation of normal-looking old leaves, then the lack of phosphorus in them is already either the death of individual sections of the leaf, or the entire leaf blade.

The proof of the correctness of this theory is the revival of the culture when enhanced “iron doping” is used for its fertilizer: the leaves quickly restore their natural color, and the plant itself seems to “wake up from an enchanted sleep”, growing new greens, blooming, setting fruits.

According to the instructions for use, iron chelate, when applied to plants, provides:

• replenishment of iron deficiency in them;
• acceleration of photosynthesis processes and facilitation of tissue respiration;
• normalization of metabolic processes;
• replenishment of the volume of chlorophyll in the green parts.

The restoration of metabolic processes, in turn, stimulates:

• powerful growth and full development of newly formed parts of plants;
• the resistance of culture immunity to the negative influences of environmental factors (including infections and weather factors).

Among the most grateful consumers of iron chelate in its use for chlorosis, fruit trees are most often mentioned in the face:

• pears;
• apple trees;
• cherries;
• plums;
• peach.

The use on vegetables and berries gives no less effect:

The effect of the drug on the condition grown on soils with excess calcium (naturally carbonate or artificially over-limed) is especially noticeable - flowering improves, the color intensity of berries increases, and the yield of vines increases.

Application of iron chelate

The drug can be used in two ways: either for the prevention of chlorosis, or for healing from it, when the time to prevent the onset of the indicated condition has already been lost. In both options, you can use the tool:

• root feeding method;
• method of foliar feeding (by processing the leaves);
• drip irrigation.

The fastest and most noticeable result is brought by foliar treatment of diseased plants with this form of iron, which is the most acceptable for the plant organism.

Treatment of chlorosis

To optimize the vital activity of plants affected by chlorosis, a solution is prepared from 5 g of iron chelate dissolved in a different volume of water (depending on the type of crop being treated):

• for fruit trees - in 5 l;
• for other plants - in 8 l.

Processing is carried out by abundant spraying of leaves, 4 times, with 2-week breaks.

To speed up the process (in the advanced case), spraying is accompanied by the application of the solution by the root method, for which the dissolution is carried out in the proportion of 5 g of iron chelate / 5 l of water, consuming the solution at the rate of 2 l / 1 m².

Despite the safety of the substance for the human body, the use of protective devices is still suggested by the instructions for its use. This is eye protection with glasses, hands with gloves, the rest of the body with protective clothing and a headgear, respiratory tract with a gauze bandage.

Upon completion of the procedure, it is necessary to wash hands, face and body with soap and water.

Prevention of chlorosis

The use of the drug for prophylactic purposes is the dissolution of the same 5 g of the substance, but in a much larger volume of water (10 liters). The solution is as abundant as in the treatment, leaf surfaces are sprayed.

The season for work is the entire period from the appearance of the first leaves to the time of flowering, the minimum is 2-fold processing, the maximum is the application every 2 weeks (with 2-week breaks). The consumption of the working solution is 1 l/10 m².

It is worth considering that in addition to the lack of its content in plants, the opposite phenomenon can also be observed - an excess of iron in them. There are several possibilities for this phenomenon to occur:

• watering with water with an excess of iron content (including from old rusting barrels);
• excess iron directly in the soil.

For there is such a technique: when planting a fruit tree, they bring down under the root all the iron rubbish that comes under the arm. If there is too much of it, and the seedling is not too strong, then an “overdose” of the metal is quite possible.

Another option is the host's suspiciousness: something pale leaves, let me feed! And a week later, a new doubt arises (or the owner completely forgot about what he had done) - and a new “iron dose” follows.

In such a case, such options for plant suppression are possible as:

• stopping the growth and development of overfertilized crops;
• the color of the leaves is too dark, unnaturally green;
• falling leaves without any "explaining by them the reasons";
• the appearance of black spots on the leaf plates - areas of necrosis (tissue necrosis).

How to make iron chelate at home?

You can buy iron chelate at any horticultural establishment at a price for a simple product - 18 rubles / 50 mg, for a branded, foreign one - 1004.46 rubles / 180 tablets weighing 614 mg each.

But it is also quite realistic to prepare a solution yourself, from improvised (always available in every home) reagents.

To make at home, you can resort to two methods - creating a chelate from iron sulfate and:

• citric acid;
• ascorbic acid.

The calculation is based on 1 liter of the cleanest (preferably rain) water.

In the first variant, citric acid (4 g) is dissolved (successively) in the indicated volume, then iron sulfate (2.5 g) and stirred until the liquid is uniformly colored.

The second differs from the first only in the dose of substances: ferrous sulfate requires 10 g, ascorbic acid - 2 times more (20 g).

The method of applying the resulting solution depends on the degree of urgency of the case: when you need a lot and at once, they combine spraying on the leaves with root top dressing, if not, they “pimple” on the leaves.

It should be remembered that the “self-made” solution is not subject to storage, while the branded one is stored for an arbitrarily long time, if you do not let it freeze, and most importantly, do not allow ubiquitous nosy children to it.

The lack of trace elements in depleted soils has a detrimental effect on the development of plants. Crops growing on alkaline soil in arid climates are particularly susceptible to nutrient deficiencies. 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 apply micro and macro elements, organic fertilizers and agrochemicals to make up for the missing substances.

Chelates are fertilizers in which inorganic substances are 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 the 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 frequently - 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 vegetable and berry crops, a 4% solution is suitable, for fruit trees - 8%. For vineyards and ornamental plants, a 4% solution is used.

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 may become useless if there is a lot of chalk in the soil or the working solution has been in the open state for a long time.

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 also protects plants from damage by rot, 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 a very effective remedy for combating 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 has become widespread due to its easily digestible form. These versatile and environmentally friendly fertilizers bring enormous benefits to 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 and organic fertilizers. Trace elements nourish plants with essential substances, and organic matter structures the soil and saturates it with humus.

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complex mineral vitamin * 5%, 157 votes