Hort I:Hort I:Obj. 24.03Obj. 24.03

Hort I:Hort I:Obj. 24.03Obj. 24.03

Demonstrate the application of various

types of fertilizers.

A. General Rules•Method used should be practical, effective & cost efficient.

•Method used affects nutrient availability for plant use.

•Fertilizer must be dissolved & reach plant roots.

B. Banding•Placing a band of fertilizer about 2” to the sides & about 2” below seed depth. Do NOT place below seeds because fertilizer will burn roots.

C. Sidedressing•Placing a band of fertilizer near the soil surface & to the sides after seedling emerge from soil

D. Topdressing

•Mixing fertilizer uniformly into the top 1-2” of growing media around the plant

E. Perforating

•Placing fertilizer in 12-18” holes drilled 18” to 24” around the canopy drip line of fruit trees. Cover the holes & the fertilizer slowly dissolves.

F. Broadcasting

•Spreading fertilizer to cover the entire production area.

G. Fertigation•Incorporating water-soluble fertilizer into the irrigation system of greenhouse & nursery crops. Concentrated solutions usually pass thru proportioners or injectors to dilute to the correct ratio.

Types of proportioners•Venturi-type: simple & inexpensive, less accurate. Ex. Hozon – depends on water pressure in the hose & in the smaller tube to proportion.

b. Positive displacement: more expensive, very accurate. Ex. Commander proportioner & Smith injectors.•Physically inject &

mix specific amounts of concentrated solution & water.

H. Foliar spraying•Spraying micronutrients in a

solution directly on plant leaves. It is used to quickly correct nutrient deficiencies, but the fertilizer concentration should not be too high or leaf

burn will occur.