FertilizerWhat is a fertilizer?

FertilizerObjectives: Students will be able to...

▸Explain what a fertilizer is.▸Identify different types of fertilizer.▸List examples of fertilizer carriers.

▸Determine proper situations for fertilizer applications.

▸Define rule of thumb for fertilizer application.▸Differentiate between different fertilizers.

▸Describe a mixed fertilizer.

FertilizerDefinition

▸Any material applied to a soil or plant to supply essential elements

FertilizerWhat are some different types of fertilizer?

▸Mineral▸Organic ▸Inorganic

FertilizerDescription of a Mineral

▸Simply ground rocks containing nutrients

▸Example: Dolomitic lime provides calcium and magnesium

▸Usefulness is limited as they dissolve very slowly

FertilizersDescription of organic

–Crop Rotation–Animal Manures–Sewage Sludge

–Septage▸Compost

–Municipal, food processing and industrial organic residues; usually dumped in landfills and ocean; much potential for composting

FertilizersDescription of organic

–Crop Rotation–Animal Manures–Sewage Sludge

–Septage–Compost▸Peat

–Partly decayed vegetable matter

FertilizersDescription of Inorganic

▸Chemical fertilizers▸Made by industry

▸Some are mined, others completely manufactured

▸High nutrient content, therefore less expensive

Fertilizer Materials

▸Few fertilizers are in pure form▸Rather fertilizers are made up of

nutrient carriers

FertilizerNitrogen Carriers

▸Anhydrous Ammonia- 82%▸Urea- 45%

▸Nitrate Solution- 28%

FertilizersNitrogen Carriers- Other Examples

▸Ammonium Sulfate▸Nitrate of Soda

▸Ammonium Phosphorus▸Calcium Cynamid

FertilizersIt depends on the following:

▸What crop▸Soil Conditions▸Planting date ▸Crop Rotation

FertilizersRule of thumb

Usually somewhere between 100-200 pounds per acre.

Bushels per acre = 1.2 pounds per bushel

FertilizersWhen is Nitrogen applied?

▸It depends: Fall or Spring–Fall: more leaching but less expensive. More

likely to be able to get into the field–Spring: more expensive, side-dressing, less

leaching

FertilizersCommon Phosphorus Fertilizers

▸Di-Ammonium Phosphate–18-46-0

▸Superphosphate (16-20%)▸MonoAmmonium Phosphate

–12-52-0▸Bone Meal - made from grinding bones

▸Manure

FertilizerPotassium Carriers

▸Muriate of potash-60% potash, accounts for 97% of all potassium

fertilizers▸Costs less and dissolves easily in

water▸Nitrate of potash -44% potash and 13% Nitrogen, common for container plants

FertilizersMixed fertilizers

▸Fertilizers containing more than one element

Mixed fertlizersHow does a producer determine what mix to use?

▸Analysis ▸Grade

FertilizerAnalysis

FertilizerAnalysis-Definition

Lists the elements in the bag and their percent content

FertilizersAnalysis

▸N-P-K 10-3-3▸Not in pure form

▸Examples–Phosphoric acid P2O5

–Soluble potash K2O

FertilizersGrade

FertilizerGrade-Definition

▸Indicates the primary nutrients in the bag

▸Lists the contents in the order of the percentages of the primary nutrients

FertilizersWhat’s on the bag?

FertilizersWhat’s on the bag?

▸Contents▸Ratios▸Grade▸Analysis

▸Method of application

FertilizerSingle-grade

Contains only one element

FertilizerMixed

Contains 2 or 3 elements

FertilizerComplete

▸Contains all 3 primary nutrients

The End