Fertilizer is essential to any agricultural activity; its role is to ensure profitability and high yields, which is especially true for the majority of avocado farmers in Kenya. The right fertilizer will distinguish your avocados as large or small, delicious or flavorless, whereas poorly fertilized avocados will be underproductive or barely produce.
Below are the three best fertilizers for the avocado tree in Kenya
1. NPK Fertilizer
The NPK fertilizer is a blend of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, and its ratio is 2:1:1, which is the ideal ratio for the avocado tree.
2. Farm Yard Manure (FYM)
Farmyard manure is well-known for its long-term benefits to avocado trees and soil structure. A well-decomposed manure is key to ensuring a longer supply of deficient minerals and nutrients and good health for the avocado tree.
3. Double Supper Phosphate Fertilizer
Double Super Phosphate is a phosphorus fertilizer with a content of 36% phosphorous, although it is double the content of Single Supper Phosphate. However, their appearance, modes of action, and characteristics are similar.
Four Reasons Why the Above Fertilizers are the Best for the Avocado
1. Farm Yard Manure is Highly Rich in Organic Matter and Humus
This helps to improve soil fertility. Furthermore, they are environmentally friendly, so they are better in the long run as renewable energy.
2. Farm Yard Manure Helps to Conserve the Soil
Farm yard manure conserves soil, improves the soil profile and water holding capacity, and allows nutrients to enter the soil, making it more fertile.
3. NPK Fertilizer Contains Important Components for Plant Tissues
Nitrogen and phosphorus are components of protein and nucleic acids, both of which are necessary components of plant tissue. Furthermore, it contains potassium, which is essential for the regulation of processes in the plant as well as for improving the quality of the harvested product from the plant.
4. Double Supper Phosphate Promotes Roots Formation in Avocado Tree
Double supper phosphate is used directly when planting because it promotes root formation. In addition, it is useful when plants are beginning to produce fruits since it supplies nutrients to fuel more significant fruit production.
Fertilizer Schedule to Avocado Tree
It would be best if you applied fertilizer to your avocado trees three times.
In their first year, the process continues while increasing the amount of nitrogen.
In the second year, increase the amount of nitrogen by 1L.
In the third year, the amount of nitrogen is increased to 2L. The process of fertilization changes as they mature.
Fertilizer Application Ratio for Avocado Tree
If you decide to use synthetic fertilizer, you should ensure the product has a proportional ratio of 1:1:1 or 2:2:1 of N: P: k fertilizer. The amount applied to a year-old avocado tree is 45g or 150g, which is 28% of nitrogen; 21g or 200g, 11.3% of superphosphate; and 75g or 190g, which is 40% of potassium sulphate.
The Do and Don’ts; While Applying Fertilizer to an Avocado Tree
Avoid fertilizing the avocado tree after the third year since it does not require more and can harm the tree. Always test the soil to ensure you provide the proper amount of nutrients at the right time.
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