Properties of dolomite flour - composition, use for soil deoxidation in garden plots and application rules. Dolomite flour: rules for use in a summer cottage Dolomite flour why it is needed

Composition and properties of dolomite flour

Dolomite flour is the name given to crushed rock – dolomite. Chemical formula of the mineral: CaMg(CO2). The main active component when adding dolomite flour to the soil is calcium. The displacement of calcium from the absorbing soil complex by hydrogen ions H’ is the direct cause of an increase in the level of soil acidity and its deterioration physical and chemical properties. Therefore, on acidic soils, I maintain the balance of calcium and hydrogen ions! artificially, for which dolomite flour is used along with other means.

Benefits of dolomite flour

The most famous soil deoxidizers are slaked lime, or fluff, ash and dolomite flour. How does dolomite flour differ from its “competitors”?

Fluff lime is the most powerful remedy. Her chemical formula Ca(OH).

In addition to calcium ion, the substance contains hydroxyl group(OH), therefore the neutralizing ability of lime is almost one and a half times higher than that of dolomite flour.

The activity and speed of lime lead to the fact that in the first time after its application, plants do not absorb phosphorus well, so the “fluff” is applied ONLY in the fall during the off-season, so that by spring the chemical processes in the soil are in relative balance.

Wood ash contains 30-60% calcium salts, but its exact composition is unpredictable. It depends on the type of tree, the composition of the soil where they grew, and even whether the ash is obtained from the branches or trunk. The amount of ash that needs to be added to the soil to neutralize acidity is always given conditionally; it cannot be calculated without chemical analysis.

But in any case, ash per unit

The area needed is approximately 2 times more than dolomite flour, and such an amount is usually not found on hand. Therefore, ash is used more often as a valuable component of plant soils for indoor plants and seedlings, because in addition to calcium it contains potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and trace elements.

Dolomite flour is now the most popular and convenient means of reducing soil acidity. Its consumption is lower than that of ash, and unlike lime, dolomite flour is added at any time. This makes life easier, since you do not need to resort to intricate schemes, and you can apply fertilizers and soil-improving components during spring cultivation, for example, before planting vegetables. Since dolomite flour is rich in magnesium, it is the best acidity neutralizer for light soils where magnesium is always lacking.

The effect of dolomite flour on soil and plants

Dolomite flour is contraindicated for rhododendrons, blueberries and other acidophilic plants (preferring acidic soil). It is used to neutralize acidic soils when growing vegetables, fruit trees and shrubs, many flowers.

Improvement of soil structure. The effect of using “dolomite” is especially noticeable if the soil is also heavy: with high acidity, the clay becomes dense and viscous, and when it dries, it cakes “into a brick.” Calcium contained in dolomite flour promotes the coagulation of soil colloids, as a result the soil structure improves: it takes the form of lumps, between which air penetrates to the roots.

Strong healthy roots.

In itself, improving the soil structure already contributes to better growth roots, but calcium also strengthens cell walls, making it difficult for root rot to penetrate into tissues, increasing the viability of root hairs and, as a result, the plant’s use of nutrients. In addition, it creates a favorable environment for beneficial soil bacteria that protect roots from pathogenic fungi.

Limestone and dolomite flour are not the same thing. The formula of limestone is CaCO3 (calcium carbonate), while dolomite contains a lot of magnesium. To improve the soil, dolomite flour is preferable.

On a note:

Dolomite flour is the name given to crushed dolomite, a rock whose chemical formula looks like CaMg(CO2). This effective remedy to reduce the level of soil acidity, the main advantages of which include, first of all, affordable price and environmental friendliness. It is precisely because of this that the fertilizer described in the article is very popular among owners of suburban areas.

Features and advantages over other means

The use of dolomite flour is convenient way reducing soil acidity levels. The substance is a crystalline mineral with a light color (gray or white, less often reddish) and a characteristic shine.

A feature that favorably distinguishes dolomite chips from other means of similar action is not only lower cost, but much lower consumption. Moreover, slaked lime, for example, which contains a hydroxo group and calcium ion, reduces the acidity of the soil too sharply, as a result of which plants, unable to get used to such conditions, begin to absorb phosphorus extremely slowly. That is why lime is applied exclusively in the fall after harvesting - in this case, the soil will still have enough time to gain chemical equilibrium for the new gardening season.

To others a powerful tool, which reduces acidity, is wood ash. The concentration of calcium salts in it - the main active ingredient - ranges from 30-60%, but the difficulty is that it is not possible to determine the exact composition. The concentration of calcium salts depends, first of all, on the rock from which the ash was produced, on which parts of the plants were used (branches, trunk, etc.), as well as on the characteristics of the soil and climate conditions in the region. where did these trees grow? On your own, without resorting to chemical analysis, it is impossible to accurately determine the required amount of ash, which means people act at random. By the way, ash is usually used for seedlings and flowerpots, because it contains a lot of phosphorus and potassium.

Note! The volume of ash or lime should be approximately twice that of dolomite flour, assuming the same area.

How dolomite affects the soil

The described fertilizer, as noted above, contains a large percentage of calcium. If the soil is used for a long time fruit plants, then over time it worsens chemical characteristics, which means that the lost elements must be replenished somehow. The use of dolomite flour makes it possible to artificially maintain the required concentration of hydrogen and calcium ions.

Penetrating into the soil, this fertilizer not only normalizes its acidity, but also enriches it with microelements necessary for plants. But when and how should you apply fertilizer? One of the differences between the mineral is its versatility: not only can the plot be fertilized almost all year round, but flour also increases the yield of all crops: vegetables, fruits and grains. Finally, the effectiveness of fertilizer is equally high in the garden, in the greenhouse and even in the house (if we're talking about about indoor plants).

But the product is especially effective on:

sandy loam soil;
soil with a low concentration of magnesium.

As for soil with a neutral pH level, it is better not to use flour here, as this can disrupt the natural chemical balance.

Fertilizer applied to the soil has the following effects:

improves its biological characteristics;
improves plant photosynthesis;
increases the concentration of various minerals and trace elements that plants need;
helps produce environmentally friendly products;
increases the effectiveness of other agents applied to the soil;
improves productivity;
improves the quality of crop nutrition;
finally, thanks to the presence of calcium in its composition, flour activates the development of both terrestrial and underground parts(rhizomes).

Note! Besides all this, dolomite flour is excellent remedy from harmful insects, which is completely non-toxic. Small particles of the product act as an irritating abrasive that destroys the chitinous shells of insects.

Video - Soil deoxidation using dolomite flour

Methods for determining acidity

In order to determine required quantity fertilizers, you must first find out what the mechanical composition of the soil is (for example, whether it is clay or sandy) and its acidity level. Typically, one-time tests or other tests are used for this. special devices(for example, soil analyzer KS-300V), which are sold in all gardening stores.

Acidity is expressed in pH, it is designated by numbers from 0 to 14 and can be:

weak (more than 7);
neutral (pH equals 7);
high (less than 7).

By the way, you can determine the acidity of the soil using improvised means.

Determining soil acidity using improvised means

Method number 1. It is necessary to pour onto a handful of earth a small amount of table vinegar.

If the result is a violent reaction with the formation of foam, then the earth is either neutral or non-acidic.

The absence of a reaction (the vinegar is simply absorbed into the soil) indicates that the acidity is increased.

Method number 2. Place a lump of earth into a glass of grape juice.

If the color of the contents changes and bubbles form on the surface, then the soil is either neutral or slightly acidic.

Method No. 3. Weeds will not grow in soil that is not suitable for their acidity level. That is why they can be used as a kind of indicators indicating the pH level.

Coltsfoot, clover and wheatgrass grow in weakly acidic soil.

On soil with neutral acidity - nettle, quinoa.

If the acidity is high, then plantain and woodlice will grow on the site.

Note! The effectiveness of the fertilizer will increase significantly if boric acid is added along with it in combination with copper sulfate.

Another useful video material that can help in determining the properties of the soil before the deoxidation procedure.

Video - Folk methods for determining pH levels

How to use dolomite flour in the garden

The specific proportions of the mineral depend on the acidity level. So, approximately 0.6 kg/m2 should be added to acidic soil, if it is slightly acidic, then no more than 0.35 kg/m2, and if neutral, then a maximum of 0.5 kg/m2. If the soil on the site is sandy, then the amount of flour should be reduced by one and a half times, and if it is clayey, it should be increased by about 15%.

Note! The effectiveness of fertilizer can be increased by distributing it as evenly as possible. If you scatter the flour correctly, then the benefits from it will last for about eight to ten years.

Do not forget that plants react differently to the application of the product. In this regard, cultures can be divided into several groups.

Table. Groups of plants according to sensitivity to acidity

Group	Short description
	Such plants include sainfoin, beets, alfalfa and cabbage. All of these plants thrive at neutral or low acidity levels. You can increase productivity by adding the product to non-acidic soil.
	Onions, barley, wheat, clover, beans, soybeans, cucumbers and corn cannot grow in acidic soils. Ideally, such crops should be planted on soil with weak or neutral acidity.
	This group includes timothy, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, millet, buckwheat, and rye. All these plants grow equally well in soils with a pH level from 4 to 7.5.
	This includes potatoes and flax. For example, if you grow potatoes in acidic soil, sooner or later they will become infected with scab, which will significantly reduce the level of starch in the tubers. In such conditions, flax will become infected with calcium chlorosis, which will lead to a deterioration in the quality of the fibers.

When to fertilize?

As noted above, the fertilizer described can be used regardless of the time of year, since it does not in any way affect the composition of the soil or the intensity of absorption of other useful substances. But in most cases, flour is scattered before using other fertilizers, since it does not interact organically with all of them.

If vegetables are grown on the site, dolomite flour is scattered in the spring, two to three weeks before planting. This product not only nourishes, but also sanitizes the soil, which is especially important, for example, for potatoes, which are susceptible to various diseases, whose development dolomite can stop. In addition, it is important for potatoes that the fertilizer fights pests. As for fertilizing crops closed type, then adding the mineral in the greenhouse will prevent the spread of fungi.

In autumn, it is recommended to fertilize the soil under fruit bushes and trees. Here, for each tree you need to apply about 2 kg of fertilizer (along the edge, with a slight depth), and for shrubs - from 0.5 kg to 1 kg (it all depends on the size) according to a similar scheme.

Dolomite should not be mixed with superphosphate, urea or ammonium nitrate, otherwise a dangerous reaction may begin.
Clay soil should be fertilized annually.
Gooseberries or sorrel cannot be fertilized with flour.
The fertilizer should be distributed as evenly as possible, thoroughly mixing with the soil and loosening it to a depth of about 15 cm (with the exception of shrubs and trees).
In spring, vegetables can be periodically watered with dolomite “milk” (mineral diluted with water).
Manure is also good for the soil, but mixing it with flour is prohibited. First you need to spread fertilizer, then manure, and only after that the area can be dug up.
The harvest of turnips and cabbage will improve if flour is added directly at the time of planting.
Plums and cherries need to be fertilized every year after harvesting the fruits (the dosage is described above). This way the fruits will be large and juicy.
When growing black currants, flour should be scattered every two years (0.5-1 kg per bush, depending on size).

As a result, we note that dolomite flour acts gradually, so you should not expect an immediate positive effect. The greatest benefit is observed two to three years after applying fertilizers - productivity increases by 10-15%.

Composition and properties of dolomite flour

Dolomite flour is the name given to crushed rock - dolomite. Chemical formula of the mineral: CaMg(CO3)2.

The main active component when adding dolomite flour to the soil is calcium. The displacement of calcium from the absorbing soil complex by hydrogen ions H+ is the direct cause of an increase in soil acidity and a deterioration in its physicochemical properties. Therefore, on acidic soils, the balance of calcium and hydrogen ions is maintained artificially, for which dolomite flour is used along with other means.

What is the difference between dolomite flour and other soil deoxidizers?

The most famous soil deoxidizers are slaked lime, or fluff, ash and dolomite flour. How does dolomite flour differ from its “competitors”?

Fluffy lime - the most powerful remedy. Its chemical formula is Ca(OH)2. In addition to the calcium ion, the substance contains a hydroxyl group (OH), so the neutralizing ability of lime is almost one and a half times higher than that of dolomite flour. The activity and speed of lime lead to the fact that in the first time after its application, plants do not absorb phosphorus well, so the “fluff” is applied only in the fall during the off-season, so that by spring the chemical processes in the soil are in relative balance.

Wood ash contains 30-60% calcium salts, but its exact composition is unpredictable. It depends on the type of tree, the composition of the soil where they grew, and even whether the ash is obtained from the branches or trunk. The amount of ash that needs to be added to the soil to neutralize acidity is always given conditionally; it cannot be calculated without chemical analysis. But in any case, about 2 times more ash per unit area is needed than dolomite flour, and such an amount is usually not available at hand. Therefore, ash is used more often as a valuable component of plant soils for indoor plants and seedlings, because in addition to calcium it contains potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and trace elements.

- is now the most popular and convenient means of reducing soil acidity. Its consumption is lower than that of ash, and unlike lime, dolomite flour is added at any time. This makes life easier, since you do not need to resort to intricate schemes, and you can apply fertilizers and soil-improving components during spring cultivation, for example, before planting vegetables. Since dolomite flour is rich in magnesium, it is the best acidity neutralizer for light soils where magnesium is always lacking.

Benefits of dolomite flour for plants

Dolomite flour is used to neutralize acidic soils when growing vegetables, fruit trees and shrubs, and many flowers. Dolomite flour is contraindicated for rhododendrons, blueberries and other acidophilic plants (preferring acidic soil).

Improvement of soil structure . The effect of using “dolomite” is especially noticeable if the soil is also heavy: with high acidity, the clay becomes dense and viscous, and when it dries, it cakes “into a brick.” Calcium contained in dolomite flour promotes the coagulation of soil colloids, as a result the soil structure improves: it takes the form of lumps, between which air penetrates to the roots.

Strong healthy roots . In itself, improving the soil structure already contributes to better root growth, but calcium also strengthens cell walls, making it difficult for root rot to penetrate the tissue, increasing the viability of root hairs and, as a result, the plant’s use of nutrients. In addition, it creates a favorable environment for beneficial soil bacteria that protect roots from pathogenic fungi.

What is soil liming

Often, by lime in the soil, agronomists and soil scientists mean not only calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), but also all calcium-containing rocks, the particles of which are part of the soil. First of all, calcium carbonate (CaCo3). Also, soil liming in a broad sense refers to the addition of any calcium-containing additives, and calcium-rich soils are called calcareous. Limestone and dolomite flour are not the same thing. The formula of limestone is CaCo3 (calcium carbonate), while dolomite contains a lot of magnesium. To improve the soil, dolomite flour is preferable.

Learn about how to grow plants, what gardening work needs to be planned, . Please also pay attention to the information block to the left of the text. The links in it lead to articles on related topics.

Ask a question to an expert on fertilization, plant protection from diseases and pests

Even if you don't exercise agriculture seriously, just keep a small garden plot, you’ve still heard about such a product as dolomite flour. It is regularly used to improve the composition of the soil, as it is recognized as the most effective, environmentally friendly and affordable. What is dolomite flour and what are the rules for its use, we will talk in this article.

Why use dolomite flour fertilizer?

The production of this product is based on the fine crushing of limestone rock called dolomite, rich in calcium (substance formula CaCO3 * MgCO3), which under normal conditions is displaced from the surface by hydrogen ions, which significantly increases the acidity of the earth and worsens its characteristics, both physical and chemical.

First, it is recommended to level out the acidity of the soil, and then adjust the ratio of the proportions of calcium and hydrogen in it. Otherwise, the development of cultivated crops will be significantly slowed down. This is the purpose of powdered dolomite as one of the most active ingredients, often in combination with other auxiliary means.

Dolomite flour is one of the cheapest and most effective fertilizers

Dolomite flour consists of tiny crystals that have a luster similar to glass. The color of the powder can be:

white;
gray;
reddish;
brown.

In addition to the fact that the substance contains 8% more pure calcium than the usual lime, it also contains magnesium (40% of the total mass), which helps in the development of garden crops and their resistance to many diseases, including brown lime. spotting, as well as chlorosis.

This fertilizer is a limestone rock, dolomite, crushed into flour.

Once the acidity level of the soil and its composition are determined, you may need to adjust these indicators. If you decide to use dolomite flour, you will need a calculation required quantity substances.

Table for calculating the amount of dolomite

Rules of application

If the garden has light sandy soil, reduce the amount of product by one and a half times. If there is severe clay soil On the contrary, you need to increase it by 10–15%.

Any season is suitable for working with dolomite powder, but it is recommended to carry out deoxidation activities in the autumn season, after harvesting. Over the winter, the soil will rest and be enriched with useful substances. Fertilizer can be applied to the greenhouse in the spring, during the first digging of the soil: in a greenhouse, the required temperature and humidity are established much faster.

Sprinkle the product over the surface even layer and immediately loosen it to a depth of 10–15 cm, immediately mixing it properly with the soil. If you simply scatter the fertilizer, its effect will not appear until a year later, when rains and melted snow wash everything deep into the soil. The same applies to stationary greenhouses with artificial irrigation.

How dolomite powder combines with the main plants cultivated in the garden

The crops most commonly grown in the garden interact differently with soil types. Based on this, recommendations have been made that define the principles of applying dolomite for certain plants.

Nowadays, adjusting the soil condition according to Mittleider is very popular. Add 7–8 g boric acid in 1 kg of powdered dolomite and use the mixture for digging each time when changing crops in the beds. For peat bogs and heavy soils, 200 g of mixture per 1 m of bed will be required, for light soil - 100 g.

Deoxidizing the soil with dolomite flour is unlikely to immediately produce noticeable results. But by regularly cultivating your garden for 2–3 years, you will see an effect in the form good harvest. Now you know the rules for using dolomite fertilizer to regulate and deoxidize the soil, and the work you put into the garden will bring long-awaited results.

To begin with, let us explain that dolomite is a mineral from the class of carbonates that has a crystalline structure. It has a glassy sheen, and the color can be very varied - grayish, white, slightly reddish and even brownish. Dolomite flour is obtained by grinding minerals to a powder state and further drying. All this is done in production conditions. Dolomite flour contains 8% more calcium than lime. And another important difference from lime is the presence of about 40% magnesium in dolomite flour. If there is little magnesium, then plants stop developing and growing, brown spotting and chlorosis appear. The price of this fertilizer is relatively low, and there are a lot of useful properties, which contributed to its popularity among gardeners.

Benefits of dolomite flour

Dolomite flour can be added not only to open ground on beds, but also in greenhouses and greenhouses. And flower growers widely use it. Its use has a particularly good effect on sandy loam and sandy soils, poor in such an element as magnesium. What can you expect if you periodically add it to the ground?

Biological, physico-chemical and physical properties soil. Increased soil acidity is neutralized.
In the soil there is a significant increase in the amount of forms of phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, and molybdenum that are readily available to plants.
There has been an increase in the efficiency of fertilizers applied by summer residents, especially manure.
The soil is enriched with calcium, which improves root system plants.
The soil is saturated with magnesium, which is a component of chlorophyll that actively takes part in photosynthesis.
Plants eat better, change in better side conditions of their detention.
The harvest becomes of higher quality, more environmentally friendly (radionuclides are neutralized), and is preserved better and longer in winter.
It can be used as a means of combating insect pests, because well-ground dolomite destroys the chitinous covers of insects dangerous to plants.

How to use it correctly?

The amount of dolomite flour that needs to be added to the bed depends on the acidity of the soil in a given place and the mechanical composition of the soil mass. MirSovetov will name only average standards:

acidic soils (environment reaction less than 4.5) – on square meter area is applied from 500 to 600 grams;
medium acidic (medium reaction ranging from 4.5 to 5.2) – per square meter is from 450 to 500 grams;
slightly acidic (medium reaction from 5.2 to 5.6) - from 350 to 450 grams per square meter.

If the soil is clayey or heavy, then the amount of this fertilizer is increased by 10-15%. For light soils, the dosage can be reduced by 50%.

You can check the soil and find out the acidity levels by purchasing special instruments or tests at a garden store or center.

The efficiency of use increases if the copper sulfate and boric acid.

Agricultural crops are divided into the following main groups depending on how they relate to the reaction of the environment in which they grow and liming:

Not tolerant acidic soil– cabbage, beets, alfalfa. They need soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. They really like it when they are fed dolomite flour.
Sensitive to living in an environment with high acidity - cucumber, lettuce, beans, onions, peas, corn, wheat, soybeans. They prefer soil whose environmental reaction is close to neutral; they respond quite well to the use of dolomite flour.
Weakly sensitive to increased soil acidity - tomatoes, carrots, radishes, oats, buckwheat. They grow quite normally no matter how the environment reacts. soil mixture, But top scores show on slightly acidic soils. If the soil has strong or moderate acidification, then dolomite flour can be added to the soil in full dosage. Then the plants will be better fed with nitrogen and ash compounds.
Requiring liming only for strongly acidic and moderately acidic soils. For example, flax likes to grow in slightly acidic soils. A slight acidity will not affect the yield of potatoes planted in this area.

Features of application

On heavy clay soils, dolomite flour will have to be applied every year, on the rest - once every three years.

It is more convenient to do liming in the fall. But if necessary, dolomite is added in the spring or at any time.

When liming, distribute dolomite flour evenly over the entire surface of the soil to a depth of 15 cm, mixing thoroughly. If you simply sprinkle dolomite on the surface, there will be an effect, but you will notice it no earlier than after 12 months.

You can add dolomite and manure to the soil at the same time, but you cannot mix them together. First, dolomite flour is spread, then manure is spread, the third stage is digging.

The leaves will not be harmed if you scatter this flour over the lawn or pasture.

For cherries and plums, add one or two kilograms of dolomite flour every year after harvesting.

Apply once every two years under each bush. black currant about 500 grams of dolomite. If the bush is large, then you can add a kilogram.

Apply dolomite under cabbage and turnips when planting.

In spring, you can water plants, for example, beets, clematis, with dolomite “milk” - water to which dolomite flour has been added.

Do not apply this fertilizer to sorrel and gooseberries.

Dolomite flour is added to the flowers before planting them - in a pot or hole, being sure to mix well with the other components of the soil mixture. Hyacinths, orchids, and violets respond positively to the addition of dolomite flour.

Dolomite flour should not be mixed with urea, superphosphate, ammonium sulfate, or ammonium nitrate.

If it turns out that the soil on your site has a neutral reaction, then there is no need to do liming.

Positive results will not be noticeable immediately, and the greatest effect appears somewhere in the second or even third year after liming. Scientists believe that dolomite flour can increase yield by an average of 4-12%.