Main Causes and Treatment Methods of Potting Soil Compaction
Below is an introduction to the contents related to the flower clinic for netizens, including the main causes and treatment methods of potting soil compaction, followed by a detailed understanding for everyone.
The reason why chemical fertilizers cause soil compaction is that only cations or anions, which are elements needed by plants, are present in chemical fertilizers. Plants selectively absorb useful ions, leading to soil acidification or salinization. The destruction of soil aggregate structure reduces the soil's water and fertilizer retention capacity and permeability, resulting in soil compaction. The content of organic matter is an important indicator of soil fertility and aggregate structure. The reduction of organic matter leads to soil compaction. Soil organic matter is an important component of the soil aggregate structure, and its decomposition is achieved through the activity of microorganisms.
After excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers to the soil, the nitrogen content (N) of microorganisms increases by 1 part, correspondingly increasing the consumption of carbon by 25 parts, which comes from soil organic matter. Low organic matter content affects the activity of microorganisms, thus affecting the formation of soil aggregate structure and leading to soil compaction.
Soil aggregate structure is formed by negatively charged soil clay particles and organic matter connected by positively charged polyvalent cations. Polyvalent cations act as bridges to connect soil particles into large aggregates, forming the soil aggregate structure, with calcium and magnesium ions as the main 2-valent cations in the soil.
When excessive phosphorus fertilizers are applied to the soil, the phosphate ions in the phosphorus fertilizers combine with calcium and magnesium cations in the soil to form insoluble phosphates, which not only wastes the phosphorus fertilizers but also destroys the soil aggregate structure, leading to soil compaction.
When excessive potassium fertilizers are applied to the soil, the potassium ions in the potassium fertilizers have a strong replacement property, which can replace the polyvalent cations that form the soil aggregate structure. However, monovalent potassium ions do not have a bridging effect, thus destroying the soil aggregate structure and leading to soil compaction.
Applying microbial fertilizers to the soil, the secretions of microorganisms can dissolve phosphates in the soil, releasing phosphorus and also releasing potassium and trace element cations. These cations restore the aggregate structure in the form of bridges, eliminating soil compaction, or simply loosening the soil with a small stick or other objects when the potting soil moisture is around 50% can achieve ideal results. When cultivating orchids, use soil with a high content of organic matter and rich in humus, minimize the application of fertilizers or control the amount of fertilization to avoid soil compaction caused by excessive fertilization. If fine southern soil becomes compacted, turn over the topsoil of the pot and add a small amount of coarse humus leaf soil.
Do not add earthworms to the pot. Although earthworms are beneficial insects in the field, they are pests in flower pots because they separate the roots from the soil, preventing the roots from absorbing nutrients and causing weak growth.
The detailed introduction of the main causes and treatment methods of potting soil compaction shared above is hoped to bring some floral knowledge to flower enthusiasts.