What is Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) Fertilizer

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1. Composition

TSP is a type of high-concentration phosphate fertilizer. When sulfuric acid mixes rock phosphate powder, it creates phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid reacts with more rock phosphate powder to produce TSP.

TSP is gray or dark brown granular. Its effective ingredient is monocalcium phosphate [Ca (H2PO4) 2 ·H2O], a water-soluble substance. However, TSP differs from SSP because it does not contain gypsum, ferric sulfate, and aluminum sulfate. Therefore, phosphate degradation is not easy to occur when using TSP.

In addition, TSP includes 40%-50% P2O5 and a small amount of free phosphoric acid. So, it is acidic. By contrast, The fertilizer effect of TSP is higher than that of SSP.

When using TSP, it is best to mix it with manure. TSP reacts with alkali to create water-insoluble calcium phosphate, which could hinder the effectiveness of fertilizer application. Therefore, We do not mix TSP with alkaline stuff or use it in alkaline soils.

Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) contains 46% phosphate. NPK: 0-46-0.

2. Benefits

Efficient Absorption

TSP is a water-soluble fertilizer. This means that plants can readily absorb phosphorus ions in TSP. Therefore, TSP is a good choice during the growth stage of plants or when there is a lack of phosphorus in the soil.

Enhanced Root Development

TSP fertilizers are rich in phosphorus, an essential nutrient for root growth. Strong roots allow plants to efficiently absorb water and nutrients from the soil, promoting plants’ overall health and resilience.

Promoting Flowering and Fruiting

Phosphorus can make plants produce more flowers and produce more fruit. More than 90% of the phosphorus in TSP is water-soluble, which promotes blooming and fruit growth in fruit trees and flowering shrubs.

Improved Stress Tolerance

Studies have shown that plants need enough phosphorus to combat environmental stresses like drought or temperature fluctuations. TSP fertilizer helps to improve plants' stress resistance, so plants have a certain degree of resistance to harsh environments.

Boon for Specific Plants

TSP fertilizer is especially suitable for leguminous crops such as peas, beans, and alfalfa. These legume crops can directly use nitrogen in the atmosphere without adding nitrogen fertilization. The TSP fertilizer does not contain nitrogen.

Cost-Effectiveness

Applying TSP fertilizer is a low-cost and cost-effective solution compared with other phosphate fertilizers. Its high concentration means we use less each time. This is an economical choice for a large garden or nursery.

Bibliography:
Tariq, A., Pan, K., Olatunji, O. A., Graciano, C., Li, Z., Sun, F., Sun, X., Song, D., Chen, W., Zhang, A., Wu, X., Zhang, L., Mingrui, D., Xiong, Q., & Liu, C. (2017). Phosphorous Application Improves Drought Tolerance of Phoebe zhennan. Frontiers in plant science, 8, 1561. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01561
Chaouqi, N., Gharous, M.E., & Bouzziri, M. (2017). The Improvement of TSP Fertilizer Production & Quality. bioRxiv. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/213223
Savini, I., Kihara, J., Koala, S. et al. Long-term effects of TSP and Minjingu phosphate rock applications on yield response of maize and soybean in a humid tropical maize–legume cropping system. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 104, 79–91 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-016-9760-7

My name is Arthur Mo. I am a gardener who loves gardening so much. I graduated from Ocean University of China. After I returned to Japan, I began to learn how to cultivate hydrangeas and daisies. Mr. Mitsuhiro (my master) taught me to sow, cut, fertilize, and manage diseases and pests. For nine years, I have been sharpening my planting skills. In 2022, my family and I moved to Florida. The warm climate of Florida gives me the impulse to continue cultivating hydrangeas and daisies. I began my gardening trip in my backyard and unswervingly contributed my efforts to these plants. I love these plants deeply, and at the same time, I also thank my family, my master, and friends for their understanding and support.