What is water-soluble fertilizer?

Water-soluble fertilizers have gained significant prominence in the agricultural supply sector in recent years, a status earned through their inherent strengths. What exactly are water-soluble fertilizers? What functions do they serve? Why do crops treated with them achieve high yields? This article will clarify these points.
Water-soluble fertilizers are a type of fertilizer that meets national requirements—safe, efficient, and pollution-free. Water-soluble fertilizers dissolve completely in water. By formulation type, they include powdered, granular, and liquid forms. By nutrient content, they are categorized as macronutrient water-soluble fertilizers, mesonutrient water-soluble fertilizers, micronutrient water-soluble fertilizers, amino acid water-soluble fertilizers, humic acid water-soluble fertilizers, and alginic acid water-soluble fertilizers.
Each type serves distinct functions. Below, we explain their roles by formulation type.
1. What is Granular Water-Soluble Fertilizer?
Granular water-soluble fertilizers appear as pellets in various colors. Due to differing added components, they exhibit distinct hues—yellow, brown, white, and other shades. For instance, Cui Lishi's Cui Granular Fertilizer, featuring polymer technology for fast-acting and extended-release effects with high nutrients and low salt content, presents as white pellets. For areas with limited water access, it can be applied by broadcasting, flushing, or drip irrigation, making it highly convenient to use.
2. What is Water-Soluble Fertilizer? — Powdered Water-Soluble Fertilizer
Powdered water-soluble fertilizers appear as fine powders. Their physical properties enable rapid dissolution. For instance, Cui Lishi Yicui Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate is a white powder that dissolves instantly upon contact with water, leaving no impurity residue and offering high absorption efficiency.
3. What is water-soluble fertilizer? — Liquid water-soluble fertilizer
Liquid water-soluble fertilizers are the common liquid formulations we see. They require secondary dilution at specific ratios before use. Examples include Cui Lishi's liquid nitrogen fertilizer, amino acid foliar fertilizer, medium-element calcium fertilizer, and single-element micronutrient fertilizers like boron and zinc fertilizers, as well as rooting agents. Due to their high concentration, liquid water-soluble fertilizers must be diluted strictly according to the recommended dilution ratios.