Release and uptake of nutritive ions from the ion exchanger fertilizer

Abstract

The present paper deals with an investigation of the problem of the gradual release of nutritive ions bound on ion exchangers. Tomato plants were cultivated in a mixture of sand and ion exchanger fertilizer of different sized granulation. The check plants were watered with a nutritive solution. At five time intervals the following portions of nutrients were measured: a. consumed by plants; b. washed out by water; c. remaining on the ion exchanger. The following conclusions may be drawn: From the results obtained it is evident that for both physiological and economic reasons it will be generally feasible to apply the major nutrients — nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — by means of ion exchange fertilizers.