Background on calcium cyanamide
Lime nitrogen is the trade name of a fertilizer whose roots go back to before 1900. It is mainly used in agriculture, on the one hand as a nutrient supplement, but on the other hand also for weed and pest control. In the EU, however, calcium cyanamide is actually only permitted as a fertilizer. In the specialist trade it is mainly offered under the brand name "Perlka" and consists of the following components:
- Calcium cyanamide (almost 20%)
- nitrate
- Lime (about 55%)
also read
- How to fight white grubs on the balcony
- How to fight white grubs in a flower pot
- Should you fight rose chafer grubs?
The nitrate serves plants as a direct nutrient, as does the lime, whereby it also has a pH-stabilizing effect and promotes soil permeability. The calcium cyanamide is broken down by water and microorganisms into slaked lime and toxic cyanamide - the latter takes care of the herbicidal and pest control effect.
The problem of calcium cyanamide
Toxic not only for the undesirable
The toxic cyanamide does not remain in the soil permanently. This is ensured by the microorganisms that turn them into harmless urea, nitrate and ammonium. However, they need about 2 weeks until they are completely broken down - during this time, not only pests and unwanted weeds, but of course all other germinating young plants and useful small animals killed. It is therefore advisable to use it in beds that are still empty and in which you have discovered an underground grub infestation.
Correct dosage difficult
Applying calcium cyanamide can also be very effective on lawns. On the one hand, the grass benefits a lot from the fertilizing effect. On the other hand, the remedy is especially useful for the prevention of white grubs, because May and June beetles prefer to lay their eggs on grassy areas due to the larvae's preference for grass roots. However, the correct dosage is not entirely trivial here. If it is not dosed properly and meticulously, over-fertilization burns can quickly occur.
Your own health is not without risk
Calcium cyanamide is also toxic to humans and therefore requires very careful handling. It is imperative that you follow the instructions for use exactly. Protective gloves must be worn and a face mask is recommended. Because inhaling calcium cyanamide dust is particularly dangerous. Fine powdery substrates are therefore no longer sold.
