Liquid fertilizers are gaining popularity due to their ease of application, rapid nutrient availability, and uniform nutrient distribution. Among them, liquid fertilizers containing potassium fulvate offer excellent benefits for crop growth by combining fulvic acid’s bioactivity with essential macronutrients.
In this article, we provide a practical guide to preparing a high-quality liquid fertilizer with potassium fulvate, based on industry-proven processes and technical standards.
Materials Needed
- Potassium Fulvate (yellow humic acid potassium salt)
- UAN Solution (urea ammonium nitrate)
- MAP (Monoammonium Phosphate, 12-61-0)
- Potassium Sulfate (K₂SO₄)
- Water
Preparation Process
1. Dissolving Potassium Fulvate
Begin by dissolving 60 kg of potassium fulvate into 300 liters of clean water. Ensure vigorous and thorough stirring to form a uniform solution without any visible solids. Insufficient mixing may cause undissolved particles and affect the product quality.
2. Adding UAN Solution
Slowly add 400 liters of UAN solution into the potassium fulvate solution while stirring continuously. Adding UAN into the fulvate solution (not the other way around) is crucial to prevent precipitation or sediment formation and to maintain a stable homogeneous mixture. At this stage, you will have approximately 700 liters of mixed solution.
3. Incorporating Additional Nutrients
Add 40 kg of MAP (12-61-0) and 30 kg of potassium sulfate to the mixture after the fulvate and UAN solutions are fully blended. This ensures proper nutrient integration without unwanted chemical reactions or crystallization.
4. Final Dilution
Adjust the total volume by adding water up to 1000 liters to reach the desired nutrient concentrations. Mix thoroughly to ensure a homogeneous final product.
5. Optional Homogenization
For improved stability and uniformity, the finished fertilizer solution can be processed using a homogenizer or emulsifier. This mechanical treatment helps reduce particle size and enhances product consistency.
Final Product Specifications
The resulting liquid fertilizer typically contains:
- Fulvate Acid: 60 g/L
- Nitrogen (N): 160 g/L
- Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 20 g/L
- Potassium (K₂O): 20 g/L
These nutrient levels make it suitable for foliar application or fertigation, promoting healthy plant growth and improved nutrient uptake.
Important Considerations and Tips for Optimal Preparation
- Dissolution: Stir potassium fulvate thoroughly during dissolution to avoid undissolved solids.
- Order of Addition: Always add UAN solution into the potassium fulvate solution slowly. Reversing this order may cause precipitation.
- Mixing Speed: Use moderate stirring speeds to avoid excessive foam or air incorporation.
- Sequence of Nutrient Addition: Add MAP and potassium sulfate only after fully mixing potassium fulvate and UAN to prevent unwanted reactions.
- Water Quality: Use clean, potable water to avoid contamination or instability.
- Homogenization: Applying homogenization after final dilution improves uniformity and product stability.
- Storage: Store the finished product in sealed, corrosion-resistant containers away from sunlight and extreme temperatures to maintain quality.
Preparing liquid fertilizers with potassium fulvate involves careful dissolution, correct nutrient addition order, and thorough mixing. Following these steps ensures consistent, high-quality products suitable for various agricultural applications.
For customized formulations or technical support in liquid fertilizer production, please contact us at WELLYOU TECH.
