What are phosphate fertilizers?

1. Types of Phosphate Fertilizers

1. Water-soluble phosphate fertilizer: Water-soluble phosphate fertilizer refers to ordinary superphosphate and calcium phosphate, such as monoammonium phosphate and diammonium phosphate. The main ingredient in it is monocalcium phosphate, which is more easily soluble in water and has a faster fertilizer effect. Commonly used in various soils and crops. But it is more recommended to use it in calcareous soil and neutral soil.

2. Citrate-soluble phosphate fertilizer: It refers to calcium-magnesium phosphate fertilizer, precipitated phosphate fertilizer, calcium hydrogen sulfate, etc. The main ingredient is dicalcium phosphate. Its fertilizer effect is slower than the first one, and it is used in a different soil environment, making it more suitable for acidic soil.

3. Insoluble phosphate fertilizer: The most common ones are bone meal and phosphate rock powder, whose main component is tricalcium phosphate. Suitable for strongly acidic soils, insoluble in water. After application, it can only rely on the acidity in the soil to help it dissolve and turn into a form that can be used by crops and plants. Its fertilizer effect is slow, but the aftereffect is long, making it suitable as base fertilizer in acidic soil.

2. The role of phosphate fertilizer

The role of phosphate fertilizer is mainly reflected in four aspects. First, it can promote crop respiration and the absorption of nutrients and water, thereby improving water utilization efficiency and short-term drought resistance. Second, it can promote the metabolism of crop protein, carbohydrates and fat, thereby making the crops mature earlier. Third, it can promote cell division, thereby accelerating root growth. Fourth, it can enhance the stress resistance of crops, especially drought resistance, cold resistance and disease resistance.