The functions and usage methods of plant ash
This article introduces the functions, usage methods, and the main components of plant ash in green plants and flowers. Next, the editor will provide an introduction.
Plant ash is a common type of farm manure, containing elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, etc. It has various functions such as preventing cold, sterilizing and disinfecting, inhibiting the occurrence of diseases and pests, promoting the robustness of crop stems, and enhancing the stress resistance of crops, attracting many farmers to use it. Below are the main components, functions, and usage methods of plant ash:
The composition of plant ash is complex, containing various ash elements in plants, but with potassium being the most, usually containing 5%-10% potassium, 2%-3% phosphorus, and in addition to potassium and phosphorus, it also contains calcium and a small amount of magnesium, iron, sulfur, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, and other essential nutrients for plants.
Functions of plant ash
Plant ash is alkaline with fine particles. When it comes into contact with soft-bodied pests such as the adult forms of the sap-sucking insect, wheat aphid, wheat spider mite, and wheat leafcutter bee, it can block their stomata, causing physiological disorders and killing some pests and inhibiting their occurrence.
1. Control of leek and garlic root maggots: When leek and garlic are affected by root maggots, sprinkling plant ash on the leaves can prevent the adult pests, and sprinkling it on the roots can prevent the larval root maggots.
2. Control of fruit tree diseases: For fruit trees affected by powdery mildew, dig out the root soil 60 cm away from the trunk to a depth of 10-20 cm, apply 10-20 kg of plant ash per tree, then cover with a thin layer of soil, the cure rate can reach over 80%. For fruit trees affected by root rot, cover each tree with 2.5-5 kg of fresh plant ash, then cover the ash with soil, the cure rate can reach 90%. In fruit tree nurseries, applying plant ash along the ridges at a rate of 50-60 kg per mu can effectively prevent diseases like damping-off and anthracnose.
3. Control of leaf miners: During the shooting period of fruit trees, starting when the new shoots are about 3 cm long, sprinkle plant ash every 7-10 days for 3-4 consecutive times, and reapply after rain during the interval. This method is suitable for controlling leaf miners in nurseries and potted ornamental plants.
4. Sterilization and disinfection: Sprinkling fresh plant ash in livestock and poultry pens for sterilization and disinfection can enhance the resistance of animals to pathogens, reducing or eliminating diseases.
5. Seed and sweet potato storage: Plant ash has the functions of moisture absorption, heat absorption, insulation, and inhibiting biological activity. Clean and dry earthenware containers, then place plant ash at the bottom, cover with a layer of kraft paper, place the seeds on the kraft paper, seal after loading with plastic film, and the storage effect is good, beneficial for seedlings, full seedlings, and strong seedlings. Select potatoes and sweet potatoes without wounds and cover them entirely with plant ash. The storage preservation period can reach half a year.
6. Promoting germination: After sowing flowers and trees, level the ridge surface, cover with plant ash 1 to 2 cm thick, sprinkle in the early morning and evening when there is no wind to effectively increase soil temperature, keep the soil loose, and promote seed germination 7 to 10 days earlier, with整齐 and robust seedlings.
7. Accelerating root growth: During the transplantation of flowers and trees, mixing plant ash with organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer or incorporating 5% to 20% plant ash into the nutrient soil can increase the absorbability of the fertilizer, promote wound healing, and improve the survival rate of seedlings. For flowers like Clivia miniata during transplantation and potting, cut off the rotting roots, spray plant ash on the wounds and roots to control root rot, promote new root growth, and restore growth momentum. The effect is more significant for larger seedlings.
8. Preventing leaf fall: Spraying a 8% to 15% plant ash extract solution on the leaves during the growing season as a foliar fertilizer can improve the photosynthetic efficiency of the leaves, extend the leaf growth period, enhance the beauty of the flowers and leaves, and improve the ornamental effect.
9. Preventing sap flow: For plants prone to sap flow such as grapes, figs, and cycads, applying fresh plant ash to the wounds after pruning or repotting can control sap flow, prevent wound infection and rot, and promote healing.
How to distinguish the quality of plant ash components
The color depth of plant ash is related to the degree of combustion. Therefore, attention should be paid during the combustion of plant ash, and water should be sprinkled in time when it turns black and gray to extinguish the fire, as this is when the fertilizer effect is the highest. If left to burn until the fire naturally extinguishes and turns into white ash, the fertilizer effect will be poorer. Plant ash is not only a good potassium fertilizer but can also prevent and control various diseases and pests.
Application of charcoal ash fertilizer
1. Individual application. It should not be mixed with organic farm manure (human waste, livestock manure, compost, etc.), ammonium nitrogen fertilizer to avoid nitrogen volatilization loss; nor should it be mixed with phosphorus fertilizer to avoid phosphorus fixation and reduce the effectiveness of phosphorus fertilizer.
2. Soil application. As it is alkaline, it is suitable for use in clayey, acidic, or neutral soils. Soil application can be used as a base fertilizer, seed fertilizer, and topdressing, and can also be used as a covering material for seedlings and seedlings. As a base fertilizer or seed fertilizer, the amount of fertilizer should not be too large and should be isolated from the seeds to prevent seed burning. The general amount is 50-100 kg per mu. Concentrated application is recommended, with band application and hole application both possible, at a depth of 8-10 cm, covered with soil after application. Mix with 2-3 times wet soil or slightly moisten with water before use.
3. Foliar application. More than 90% of the potassium in charcoal ash is soluble in water, making it a fast-acting potassium fertilizer. Based on this characteristic, it can be used as a foliar fertilizer, i.e., using a 1% charcoal ash extract solution for foliar application.
4. Priority crops. Charcoal ash is suitable for various crops, especially for potassium-loving or potassium-avoiding crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, tobacco, grapes, sunflowers, beets, etc. When used on potatoes, it can not only be applied to the soil but also used to coat the wound on the tubers, thus serving as both seed fertilizer and preventing wound infection and rot.
The above is a comprehensive explanation of the functions and usage methods of plant ash and its main components, hoping to serve as a reference and solve your problems with green plants.