In recent years, with the rapid development of society, the country has paid more and more attention to agricultural development, and the market share of good agricultural products will gradually expand in the future. Therefore, growers will pay more attention to crop management and fertilization. Many growers don't know which is better, water-soluble fertilizer with major elements or compound fertilizer, when choosing fertilizers? How should crops be fertilized? Let's take a look at four aspects together.

I. Differences in Raw Materials and Prices

Water-soluble fertilizers with major elements and compound fertilizers have very different raw materials. Generally, good water-soluble fertilizers with major elements use potassium nitrate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate as raw materials, with prices ranging from 5000 to 10000; while the raw materials of compound fertilizers generally use potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, diammonium phosphate, and diammonium phosphate as the main raw materials, with prices ranging from a few hundred to two thousand yuan. From the price alone, the raw material prices of compound fertilizers and water-soluble fertilizers with major elements differ by several times, and the price difference of finished products is also relatively large.

II. Production Process and Absorption Utilization Rate

The absorption and utilization rates of water-soluble fertilizers with major elements and compound fertilizers are very different. Water-soluble fertilizers with major elements require 4-5 processes and refined management, while compound fertilizers only require 1-2 processes. Generally, compound fertilizers are synthesized and granulated by physical methods, the nutrients are relatively single, and the average absorption and utilization rate is around 30%; while the absorption and utilization rate of water-soluble fertilizers with major elements is over 90%. Although they are both major element fertilizers, the chemical structures are different, leading to different chemical properties, and the utilization rate and effect will be vastly different.

III. Different Dissolution Speeds

Compound fertilizers are generally difficult to dissolve, and the compound fertilizers with better dissolution speed are those produced by the tall tower granulation process. However, compared with water-soluble fertilizers with major elements, the gap is still relatively large. Water-soluble fertilizers with major elements are basically fast-dissolving and completely water-soluble, with no precipitation or impurities; they can be applied through topdressing, spraying, and drip irrigation, and are especially suitable for integrated water and fertilizer application. They are completely soluble, fast-dissolving, have high absorption and utilization rates, are convenient to use, and have more prominent effects, making them favored by many growers.

IV. Advantages and Disadvantages of Products

Compound fertilizers mainly contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; their absorption and utilization rate is not high, and they are prone to soil compaction, acidification, and salinization, but their fertilizer effect lasts longer. Growers usually use them as basal fertilizers and base fertilizers. Water-soluble fertilizers with major elements, in addition to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium elements, also contain some medium and trace elements, such as calcium, magnesium, boron, zinc, and iron minerals that play a key role in plant growth, as well as some biological elements, such as humic acid and amino acids.

It is a quick-acting fertilizer that is easily soluble in water and easily absorbed by crops. It has a quick fertilizer effect, strong fertilizer power, and the absorption and utilization rate is generally 2-3 times that of compound fertilizers. It can be almost completely absorbed by crops, which greatly solves the problems of fertilizer waste and soil residue. The disadvantage is that the fertilizer effect is shorter, and it is usually used as topdressing fertilizer, which shows outstanding results.

Compound fertilizers have their advantages, and water-soluble fertilizers with major elements have their benefits. The specific choice still depends on the crop conditions and soil conditions, and fertilizers should be applied according to the specific circumstances, with good water and fertilizer management.

In recent years, the country's supervision of environmental protection has become increasingly strict. Since October 2021, various provinces have explicitly required chemical enterprises to limit electricity consumption and production, aiming to reduce the production of high-energy-consuming and high-pollution enterprises and achieve the effect of energy consumption dual control.

Now, agricultural development requires greenness, environmental protection, quality assurance, increased production (integrated water and fertilizer), etc., and water-soluble fertilizer is in line with the overall trend of agricultural development, meeting the needs of rapid agricultural development and the huge market demand.