By: AgroLiquid Research and Development Team
“Can I mix fertilizer A with fertilizer B?” This is a big deal in agriculture. We know we need to make hay while the sun shines and when it’s time to go — it’s time to roll! No one wants to be slowed down because a bad mix has gummed up the works. So how can you safely mixer fertilizers together?
We’ve updated this blog post in 2023 to give you even more information about how to safely mix fertilizers. Remember that mixing fertilizers can be dangerous! Always consult with an expert before mixing any chemicals.
How to Safely Mix Fertilizers
Not all fertilizers can mix together safely. It’s important to check labels and test properly to make sure you can safely mix fertilizers before using them on your crops.
Talk with our professional agronomists to learn more about mixing fertilizers safely
AgroLiquid spends a lot of time making sure the products we call compatible won’t cause problems or slow downs. But, before we delve into this topic, let’s set some ground rules on what can be described as “compatible:”
- It mixes into either a clear solution with no solid fallout (ideal) or a suspension where the suspended material can stay suspended for longer than a few days. If the suspendant falls out of solution, it can be easily agitated back into suspension.
- When mixed, it does not produce any gas such as ammonia or carbon dioxide. Off-gassing like this changes the materials in the mix, and not usually in a good way.
- When mixed, the solution doesn’t get very hot. This can be dangerous!
- When mixed, it does not produce a fallout of solids. This could drastically change the analysis of the remaining solution.
- It can be used in farming equipment without plugging filters, screens, or nozzles.
How to AgroLiquid Fertilizers Mix Safely?
One reason for our superior compatibility is due to our Nutriq Technology. This proprietary technology acts as a chelant or encapsulation agent, and keeps the different compounds in solution from reacting with each other, resulting in an inert mix. This may not be the case with products that use acetates, citrates, or amino acids as their chelating agents.
Another reason is the fact that most of our products have fairly neutral pH. Attempting to mix products that are alkaline may result in either the production of gasses, heat, and/or significant fallout. Care must also be taken with acidic products, especially when being mixed with alkaline products.
Test Before Mixing
To help prevent unnecessary headaches, always perform a jar test. We cannot stress this enough! This is especially
true when adding agrochemicals; there are many off-brands that use different additives and carriers that can cause
adverse reactions. Remember: there is always a chemical reaction when you do a jar test, so proceed with care!
If a fertilizer product (AgroLiquid or otherwise) is to be used in fertigation, we also suggest that growers submit
water samples to an accredited lab for analysis, specifically for pH, hardness, and bicarbonate. Most alkaline or hard
irrigation water will cause fertilizer products to react and gradually create a buildup of fallout in lines and emittors.
This can be solved by neutralizing your water with a sulfuric or carboxylic acid injection system.
If you still have questions, such as “can I mix fertilizer A with fertilizer B?”, do not hesitate to contact your AgroLiquid representative. We are here to support you and your operation.