FertilizerFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fertilizer (or fertiliser) is any organic or inorganic material of natural or

synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that is added to a soil to supply
one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants.
[1]
A recent
assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to
commercial fertilizer use.
[2]

Mined inorganic fertilizers have been used for many centuries, whereas
chemically synthesized inorganic fertilizers were only widely developed during
the industrial revolution. Increased understanding and use of fertilizers were
important parts of the pre-industrial British Agricultural Revolution and the
industrial Green Revolution of the 20th century.
Inorganic fertilizer use has also significantly supported global population
growth it has been estimated that almost half the people on the Earth are
currently fed as a result of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use.
[3]

Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions:
six
macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), mag
nesium (Mg), and sulfur (S);
seven
micronutrients: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn)
, molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn).
The macronutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant
tissue in quantities from 0.15% to 6.0% on a dry matter (0% moisture) basis
(DM). Micronutrients are consumed in smaller quantities and are present in
plant tissue on the order of parts per million (ppm), ranging from 0.15 to 400
ppm DM, or less than 0.04% DM.
[4][5]

Only three other macronutrients are required by all plants: carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen. These nutrients are supplied by water and carbon dioxide.
The nitrogen-rich fertilizer ammonium nitrate is also used as an oxidizing
agent in improvised explosive devices, sometimes called fertilizer bombs,
leading to sale regulations
[citation needed]
.
[edit]Labeling
Main article: labeling of fertilizers
The labeling of fertilizers varies by country in terms of analysis methodology
and subsequent nutrient labeling. In most countries the macronutrients are
labeled with an NPK analysis (in Australia, "N-P-K-S" adding sulfur).
[6]

The three numbers on the fertilizer label represent an analysis of the
composition by weight. These three numbers correspond to nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) and always appear in that specific order.
When a 4th number is included, it indicates the sulfur content (N-P-K-S).
While the number for "N" represents the percentage weight of nitrogen, the
other two components are not for the analysis of the element, but rather, the
analysis of the "available" or "soluble" form of the element. In traditional
chemical analysis, the tests used treated the sample so as to measure the
equivalent P
2
O
5
and K
2
O. For instance, some potassium-bearing rocks do not
count as having available potassium.
The number for "P" is actually the weight of an equivalent quantity of P
2
O
5
and
not elemental phosphorus. In order to calculate the weight of P in the
formulation, the weight of P
2
O
5
can be multiplied by 0.44 to compensate for
the weight of the oxygen in the molecule. For example, a bag of 10-10-10 has
10 pounds of nitrogen, 10 pounds of P
2
O
5
, but only 4.4 pounds of P.
Likewise, the number for "K" is actually the weight of an equivalent quantity of
K
2
O, and not elemental potassium. In order to calculate the weight of K in the
formulation, the weight of K
2
O can be multiplied by 0.83 to compensate for the
weight of the oxygen in the molecule. For example, a bag of 10-10-10 has 10
pounds of K
2
O, but only 8.3 pounds of K.
As an example, the fertilizer potash (in modern times, potassium chloride) is
composed of 52% potassium and 48% chlorine by weight; chemical analysis of
100g of potassium chloride (KCl), would show 63g of equivalent potassium
oxide (K
2
O) when done in the manner of fertilizer analysis. The percentage
yield of K
2
O from the original 100g of fertilizer is the number shown on the
label. A potash fertilizer would thus be labeled 0-0-63, and not 0-0-52.
[edit]History
Main articles: History of organic farming and History of fertilizer
The modern understanding of plant nutrition dates to the 19th century and the
work of Justus von Liebig, among others. Management of soil fertility,
however, has been the pre-occupation of farmers for thousands of years.
[edit]Forms
Fertilizers come in various forms. The most typical
[citation needed]
form is granular
fertilizer (powder form). The next most common form is liquid fertilizer
[citation
needed]
; some advantages of liquid fertilizer are its immediate effect and wide
coverage. There are also slow-release fertilizers (various forms including
fertilizer spikes, tabs, etc.) which reduce the problem of "burning" the plants
due to excess nitrogen.
More recently, organic fertilizer is on the rise
[citation needed]
as people are
resorting to environmental friendly (or 'green') products. Although organic
fertilizer usually contain less nutrients
[citation needed]
, some people
[which?]
still prefer
organic due to natural ingredients.
[edit]Inorganic fertilizer (synthetic fertilizer)
Fertilizers are broadly divided into organic fertilizers (composed of enriched
organic matterplant or animal), or inorganic fertilizers (composed
of synthetic chemicals and/or minerals).
Inorganic fertilizer is often synthesized using the Haber-Bosch process, which
produces ammonia as the end product. This ammonia is used as
a feedstock for other nitrogen fertilizers, such asanhydrous ammonium
nitrate and urea. These concentrated products may be diluted with water to
form a concentrated liquid fertilizer (e.g. UAN). Ammonia can be combined
with rock phosphate and potassium fertilizer in the Odda Process to
produce compound fertilizer.
The use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers has increased steadily in the last 50
years, rising almost 20-fold to the current rate of 100 million tonnes of
nitrogen per year.
[7]
The use of phosphate fertilizers has also increased from 9
million tonnes per year in 1960 to 40 million tonnes per year in 2000. A maize
crop yielding 6-9 tonnes of grain per hectare requires 3150 kg
of phosphate fertilizer to be applied, soybean requires 2025 kg per
hectare.
[8]
Yara International is the world's largest producer of nitrogen based
fertilizers.
[9]

[edit]Controlled-release types
Urea and formaldehyde, reacted together to produce sparingly soluble
polymers of various molecular weights, is one of the oldest controlled-
nitrogen-release technologies, having been first produced in 1936 and
commercialized in 1955.
[10]
The early product had 60 percent of the total
nitrogen cold-water-insoluble, and the unreacted (quick release) less than 15%.
Methylene ureas were commercialized in the 1960s and 1970s, having 25 and
60% of the nitrogen cold-water-insoluble, and unreacted urea nitrogen in the
range of 15 to 30%. Isobutylidene diurea, unlike the methylurea polymers, is a
single crystalline solid of relatively uniform properties, with about 90% of the
nitrogen water-insoluble.
In the 1960s the National Fertilizer Development Center began developing
Sulfur-coated urea; sulfur was used as the principle coating material because
of its low cost and its value as a secondary nutrient.
[10]
Usually there is another
wax or polymer which seals the sulfur; the slow release properties depend on
the degradation of the secondary sealant by soil microbes as well as
mechanical imperfections (cracks, etc.) in the sulfur. They typically provide 6 to
16 weeks of delayed release in turf applications. When a hard polymer is used
as the secondary coating, the properties are a cross between diffusion-
controlled particles and traditional sulfur-coated.
Other coated products use thermoplastics (and sometimes ethylene-vinyl
acetate and surfactants, etc.) to produce diffusion-controlled release of urea or
soluble inorganic fertilixers. "Reactive Layer Coating" can produce thinner,
hence cheaper, membrane coatings by applying reactive monomers
simultaneously to the soluble particles. "Multicote" is a process applying layers
of low-cost fatty acid salts with a paraffin topcoat.
Besides being more efficient in the utilization of the applied nutrients, slow-
release technologies also reduce the impact on the environment and the
contamination of the subsurface water.
[10]

[edit]Application
Synthetic fertilizers are commonly
used to treat fields used for
growing maize, followed
by barley, sorghum, rapeseed, soy a
nd sunflower
[citation needed]
. One study
has shown that application of
nitrogen fertilizer on off-
season cover crops can increase the
biomass (and subsequent green
manure value) of these crops, while
having a beneficial effect on soil
nitrogen levels for the main crop
planted during the summer
season.
[12]

Nutrients in soil can be thrown out
of balance with high concentrations
of fertilizers. The
interconnectedness and complexity
of this soil food web means any
appraisal of soil function must
necessarily take into account
interactions with the living
communities that exist within the
soil. Stability of the system is reduced by the use of nitrogen-containing
fertilizers, which cause soil acidification
[citation needed]
.
Applying excessive amounts of fertilizer has negative environmental effects,
and wastes the growers' time and money. To avoid over-application, the
nutrient status of crops should be assessed. Nutrient deficiency can be
detected by visually assessing the physical symptoms of the crop. Nitrogen
deficiency, for example has a distinctive presentation in some species.
However, quantitative tests are more reliable for detecting nutrient deficiency
before it has significantly affected the crop. Both soil tests and Plant Tissue
Top users of nitrogen-based fertilizer
[11]

Country
Total N use
(Mt pa)
Amt. used
(feed/pasture)
China 18.7 3.0
U.S. 9.1 4.7
France 2.5 1.3
Germany 2.0 1.2
Brazil 1.7 0.7
Canada 1.6 0.9
Turkey 1.5 0.3
U.K. 1.3 0.9
Mexico 1.3 0.3
Spain 1.2 0.5
Argentina 0.4 0.1
Tests are used in agriculture to fine-tune nutrient management to the crops
needs.
[edit]Problems with inorganic fertilizer
[edit]Trace mineral depletion
Many inorganic fertilizers may not replace trace mineral elements in the soil
which become gradually depleted by crops. This depletion has been linked to
studies which have shown a marked fall (up to 75%) in the quantities of such
minerals present in fruit and vegetables.
[13]

In Western Australia deficiencies
of zinc, copper, manganese, iron and molybdenum were identified as limiting
the growth of broad-acre crops and pastures in the 1940s and 1950s
[citation
needed]
. Soils in Western Australia are very old, highly weathered and deficient in
many of the major nutrients and trace elements
[citation needed]
. Since this time
these trace elements are routinely added to inorganic fertilizers used in
agriculture in this state
[citation needed]
.
[edit]Overfertilization
See also: Fertilizer burn


Fertilizer burn
Over-fertilization of a vital nutrient can be as detrimental as
underfertilization.
[14]
"Fertilizer burn" can occur when too much fertilizer is
applied, resulting in a drying out of the roots and damage or even death of the
plant.
[15]

[edit]High energy consumption
In the USA in 2004, 317 billion cubic feet of natural gas was consumed in the
industrial production of ammonia, less than 1.5% of total U.S. annual
consumption of natural gas.
[16]
A 2002 report suggested that the production of
ammonia consumes about 5% of global natural gas consumption, which is
somewhat under 2% of world energy production.
[17]

Natural gas is overwhelmingly used for the production of ammonia, but other
energy sources, together with a hydrogen source, can be used for the
production of nitrogen compounds suitable for fertilizers. The cost of natural
gas makes up about 90% of the cost of producing ammonia.
[18]
The increase in
price of natural gases over the past decade, along with other factors such as
increasing demand, have contributed to an increase in fertilizer price.
[19]

[edit]Long-Term Sustainability
Inorganic fertilizers are now produced in ways which theoretically cannot be
continued indefinitely by definition as the resources used in their production
are non-renewable. Potassium and phosphorus come from mines (or saline
lakes such as the Dead Sea) and such resources are limited. More effective
fertilizer utilization practices may, however, decrease present usage from
mines. Improved knowledge of crop production practices can potentially
decrease fertilizer usage of P and K without reducing the critical need to
improve and increase crop yields. Atmospheric (unfixed) nitrogen is effectively
unlimited (forming over 70% of the atmospheric gases), but this is not in a
form useful to plants. To make nitrogen accessible to plants requires nitrogen
fixation (conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to a plant-accessible form).
Artificial nitrogen fertilizers are typically synthesized using fossil fuels such
as natural gas and coal, which are limited resources. In lieu of converting
natural gas to syngas for use in the Haber process, it is also possible to convert
renewable biomass to syngas (or wood gas) to supply the necessary energy for
the process, though the amount of land and resources (ironically often
including fertilizer) necessary for such a project may be prohibitive.
[edit]Organic fertilizer
Main article: Organic fertilizer


Compost bin for small-scale production of organic fertilizer


A large commercial compost operation
Organic fertilizers include naturally occurring organic materials,
(e.g. manure, worm castings, compost, seaweed, guano), or naturally
occurring mineraldeposits (e.g. saltpeter).
[edit]Benefits of organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizers have been known to improve biodiversity (soil life) and long-
term productivity of soil,
[20][21]
and may prove a large depository for
excesscarbon dioxide.
[22][23][24]

Organic nutrients increase the abundance of soil organisms by providing
organic matter and micronutrients for organisms such as
fungal mycorrhiza,
[25]
(which aid plants in absorbing nutrients), and can
drastically reduce external inputs of pesticides, energy and fertilizer, at the
cost of decreased yield.
[26]

[edit]Disadvantages of organic fertilizers
Organic fertilizers may contain pathogens and other disease causing organisms
if not properly composted
Nutrient contents are very variable and their release to available forms that
the plant can use may not occur at the right plant growth stage
Organic fertilizers are comparatively voluminous and can be too bulky to
deploy the right amount of nutrients that will be beneficial to plants
More expensive to produce
[edit]Comparison with inorganic fertilizer
Organic fertilizer nutrient content, solubility, and nutrient release rates are
typically all lower than inorganic fertilizers.
[27][28]
One study
[which?]
found that
over a 140-day period, after 7 leachings:
Organic fertilizers had released between 25% and 60% of their nitrogen
content
Controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) had a relatively constant rate of release
Soluble fertilizer released most of its nitrogen content at the first leaching
In general, the nutrients in organic fertilizer are both more dilute and also
much less readily available to plants. According to the University of California's
integrated pest management program, all organic fertilizers are classified as
'slow-release' fertilizers, and therefore cannot cause nitrogen burn.
[29]

Organic fertilizers from composts and other sources can be quite variable from
one batch to the next.
[30]
Without batch testing, amounts of applied nutrient
cannot be precisely known. Nevertheless they are at least as effective as
chemical fertilizers over longer periods of use.
[31]

[edit]Example of organic fertilizer
Chicken litter, which consists of chicken manure mixed with sawdust, is an
organic fertilizer that has been shown to better condition soil for harvest than
synthesized fertilizer. Researchers at theAgricultural Research Service (ARS)
studied the effects of using chicken litter, an organic fertilizer, versus synthetic
fertilizers on cotton fields, and found that fields fertilized with chicken litter
had a 12% increase in cotton yields over fields fertilized with synthetic
fertilizer. In addition to higher yields, researchers valued commercially sold
chicken litter at a $17/ton premium (to a total valuation of $78/ton) over the
traditional valuations of $61/ton due to value added as a soil conditioner.
[32]

Other ARS studies have found that algae used to capture nitrogen and
phosphorus runoff from agricultural fields can not only prevent water
contamination of these nutrients, but also can be used as an organic fertilizer.
ARS scientists originally developed the "algal turf scrubber" to reduce nutrient
runoff and increase quality of water flowing into streams, rivers, and lakes.
They found that this nutrient-rich algae, once dried, can be applied to
cucumber and corn seedlings and result in growth comparable to that seen
using synthetic fertilizers.
[33]

[edit]Organic fertilizer sources
[edit]Animal


Decomposing animal manure, an organic fertilizer source
Animal-sourced and human urea are suitable for application organic
agriculture, while pure synthetic forms of urea are not.
[34][35]
The common
thread that can be seen through these examples is that organic agriculture
attempts to define itself through minimal processing (in contrast to the man-
made Haber process), as well as being naturally occurring or via natural
biological processes such as composting.
[citation needed]

Besides immediate application of urea to the soil, urine can also be improved
by converting it to struvite already done with human urine by a Dutch
firm.
[36]
The conversion is performed by adding magnesium to the urine. An
added economical advantage of using urine as fertilizer is that it contains a
large amount of phosphorus, a mineral whose production is rapidly decreasing
(peak phosphorus) as the mines are running dry.
Sewage sludge (aka biosolids) use is only available to less than 1% of US
ag
[clarification needed]
land. USDA prohibits use of sewage sludge in organic
agricultural operations in the U.S. has been extremely limited and rare due to
of the practice (due to toxic metal accumulation, among other
factors).
[37][38]
The USDA now requires 3rd-party certification of high-nitrogen
liquid organic fertilizers sold in the U.S.
[39]

[edit]Plant
Leguminous cover crops are also grown to enrich soil as a green
manure through nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere;
[40]
as well as
phosphorus (through nutrient mobilization)
[41]
content of soils.
[edit]Mineral
Mined powdered limestone,
[42]
rock phosphate and sodium nitrate,
are inorganic (not of biologic origins) compounds which are energetically
intensive to harvest and are approved for usage in organic agriculture
in minimal amounts.
[42][43][44]

[edit]Negative environmental effects


Runoff of soil and fertilizer during a rain storm


An algal bloom causing eutrophication
See also: Environmental effects of agriculture and Human impacts on the
nitrogen cycle
[edit]Water quality
[edit]Eutrophication
The nitrogen-rich compounds found in fertilizer runoff is the primary cause of a
serious depletion of oxygen in many parts of the ocean, especially in coastal
zones; the resulting lack of dissolved oxygen is greatly reducing the ability of
these areas to sustain oceanic fauna.
[45]
Visually, water may become cloudy
and discolored (green, yellow, brown, or red).
About half of all the lakes in the United States are now eutrophic, while the
number of oceanic dead zones near inhabited coastlines are increasing.
[46]
As
of 2006, the application of nitrogen fertilizer is being increasingly controlled in
Britain and the United States
[citation needed]
. If eutrophication can be reversed, it
may take decades
[citation needed]
before the accumulated nitrates in groundwater
can be broken down by natural processes.
[edit]Blue Baby Syndrome
High application rates of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers in order to maximize
crop yields, combined with the high solubilities of these fertilizers leads to
increased runoff into surface water as well as leaching into
groundwater.
[47][48][49]
The use of ammonium nitrate in inorganic fertilizers is
particularly damaging, as plants absorb ammonium ions preferentially over
nitrate ions, while excess nitrate ions which are not absorbed dissolve (by rain
or irrigation) into runoff or groundwater.
[50]

Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L (10 ppm) in groundwater can cause 'blue baby
syndrome' (acquired methemoglobinemia), leading to hypoxia (which can lead
to coma and death if not treated).
[51]

[edit]Soil
[edit]Soil acidification
See also: Soil pH
Nitrogen-containing inorganic and organic fertilizers can cause soil
acidification when added.
[52]
[4]. This may lead to decreases in nutrient
availability which may be offset by liming.
[edit]Persistent organic pollutants
Main article: Persistent organic pollutants
Toxic persistent organic pollutants ("POPs"), such as Dioxins, polychlorinated
dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have
been detected in agricultural fertilizers and soil amendments
[53]

[edit]Heavy metal accumulation
The concentration of up to 100 mg/kg of cadmium in phosphate minerals (for
example, minerals from Nauru
[54]
and the Christmas islands
[55]
) increases the
contamination of soil with cadmium, for example in New Zealand.
[56]

Steel industry wastes, recycled into fertilizers for their high levels
of zinc (essential to plant growth), wastes can include the following toxic
metals: lead
[57]
arsenic, cadmium,
[57]
chromium, and nickel. The most common
toxic elements in this type of fertilizer are mercury, lead, and
arsenic.
[58][59]
Concerns have been raised concerning fish meal mercury content
by at least one source in Spain
[60]

[edit]Radioactive element accumulation
Uranium is another example of a contaminant often found in phosphate
fertilizers (at levels from 7 to 100 pCi/g).
[61]
Eventually these heavy metals can
build up to unacceptable levels and build up in vegetable produce.
[56]
Average
annual intake of uranium by adults is estimated to be about 0.5 mg (500 g)
from ingestion of food and water and 0.6 g from breathing air.
[62]

Also, highly radioactive Polonium-210 contained in phosphate fertilizers is
absorbed by the roots of plants and stored in its tissues; tobacco derived from
plants fertilized by rock phosphates contains Polonium-210 which emits alpha
radiation estimated to cause about 11,700 lung cancer deaths each year
worldwide.
[63][64]

[65][66][67][68]

For these reasons, it is recommended that nutrient budgeting, through careful
observation and monitoring of crops, take place to mitigate the effects of
excess fertilizer application.
[edit]Atmosphere


Global methane concentrations (surface and atmospheric) for 2005; note
distinct plumes
Methane emissions from crop fields (notably rice paddy fields) are increased
by the application of ammonium-based fertilizers; these emissions contribute
greatly to global climate change as methane is a potent greenhouse gas.
[69]

Through the increasing use of nitrogen fertilizer, which is added at a rate of 1
billion tons per year presently
[70]
to the already existing amount of reactive
nitrogen, nitrous oxide (N
2
O) has become the third most
important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. It has a global
warming potential 296 times larger than an equal mass of carbon dioxide and
it also contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion.
[71]

Storage and application of some nitrogen fertilizers in some
[which?]
weather or
soil conditions can cause emissions of the potent greenhouse gasnitrous
oxide. Ammonia gas (NH
3
) may be emitted following application of 'inorganic'
fertilizers and/or manures and slurries.
[citation needed]

The use of fertilizers on a global scale emits significant
quantities of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Emissions come about
through the use of:
[72]

animal manures and urea, which release methane, nitrous oxide, ammonia,
and carbon dioxide in varying quantities depending on their form (solid or
liquid) and management (collection, storage, spreading)
fertilizers that use nitric acid or ammonium bicarbonate, the production and
application of which results in emissions of nitrogen oxides, nitrous
oxide, ammonia and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
By changing processes and procedures, it is possible to mitigate some, but not
all, of these effects on anthropogenic climate change.
[citation needed]

[edit]Other problems
[edit]Increased pest fitness
Excessive nitrogen fertilizer applications can also lead to pest problems by
increasing the birth rate, longevity and overall fitness of certain agricultural
pests, such as aphids (plant lice).
[73][74][75][76][77][78]

Landscape-and-Garden
Landscape-and-Garden
The different types of organic and inorganic fertilizer.

Fertilizer Types
Soil amendments are made by adding fertilizer to the soil but there are
different types of fertilizers. There is bulky organic fertilizer such as cow
manure, bat guano, bone meal, organic compost and green manure crops. And
then there is also chemical fertilizer which is also referred to as inorganic
fertilizer and is made up with different formulations to suit a variety of
specified uses. Though many governments and agricultural departments go to
great lengths to increase the supply of organic fertilizers, such as bulky organic
manures and composting materials, there is just not enough of these fertilizers
available to meet the existing and future fertilizer needs. Compared to organic
compost, chemical or inorganic fertilizers also have the added advantage of
being less bulky. Being less bulky makes chemical fertilizer easier to transport,
both overland and from the soil into the plants itself, because they get to be
available to the plant relatively quickly when incorporated as part of the plant-
food constituents. Chemical fertilizer usually comes in
either granular or powder form in bags and boxes, or in liquid formulations in
bottles. The different types of chemical fertilizers are usually classified
according to the three principal elements, namely Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous
(P) and Potassium (K), and may, therefore, be included in more than one
group.
ORGANIC AND INORGANIC CHEMICAL NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER TYPES
This type of fertilizer is divided into different groups according to the manner
in which the Nitrogen combines with other elements. These groups are:
Sodium Nitrates,
Ammonium Sulphate and ammonium salts,
Chemical compounds that contains Nitrogen in amide form, and
Animal and plant by products.
Sodium Nitrates
Sodium Nitrates are also known as Chilates or Chilean nitrate. The Nitrogen
contained in Sodium Nitrate is refined and amounts to 16%. This means that
the Nitrogen is immediately available to plants and as such is a valuable source
of Nitrogen in a type of fertilizer. When one makes a soil amendment using
Sodium Nitrates as a type of fertilizer in the garden, it is usually as a top- and
side-dressing. Particularly when nursing young plants and garden vegetables.
In soil that is acidic Sodium Nitrate is quite useful as a type of fertilizer.
However, the excess use of Sodium Nitrate may cause deflocculation.
Ammonium Sulphate
This fertilizer type comes in a white crystalline salt form, containing 20 to
21% ammonia cal nitrogen. It is easy to handle and it stores well under dry
conditions. However, during the rainy season, it sometimes, forms lumps. (TIP:
When these lumps do occur you should grind them down to a powered form
before use.) Though this fertilizer type is soluble in water, its nitrogen is not
readily lost in drainage, because the ammonium ion is retained by the soil
particles. A note of caution: Ammonium sulphate may have an acid effect on
garden soil. Over time, the long-continued use of this type of fertilizer will
increase soil acidity and thus lower the yield. (TIP: It is advisable to use this
fertilizer type together with bulky organic manures to safeguard against the ill
effects of continued application of ammonium sulphate.)

The application of Ammonium sulphate fertilizer can be done before sowing, at
sowing time, or even as a top-dressing to the growing crop. Do however take
care NOT to apply it along with, or too close to, the seed, because in
concentrated form, it affects seed germination very adversely.
Ammonium Nitrate
This fertilizer type also comes in white crystalline salts. Ammonium Nitrate
salts contains 33 to 35% nitrogen, of which half is nitrate nitrogen and the
other half in the ammonium form. As part of the ammonium form, this type of
fertilizer cannot be easily leached from the soil. This fertilizer is quick-acting,
but highly hygroscopic thus making it unfit for storage. (TIP: Coagulation and
Granulation of this fertilizer can be combated with a light coating of the
granules with oil.) On a note of caution: Ammonium Nitrate also has an acid
effect on the soil, in addition this type of fertilizer can be explosive under
certain conditions, and, should thus be handled with care.

'Nitro Chalk' is the trade name of a product formed by mixing ammonium
nitrate with about 40% lime-stone or dolomite. This fertilizer is granulated,
non-hazardous and less hygroscopic. The lime content of this fertilizer type
makes it useful for application to acidic garden soils.
Ammonium Sulphate Nitrate
This fertilizer type is available as a mixture of ammonium
nitrate and ammonium sulphate and is recognizable as a white crystal or as
dirty-white granules. This fertilizer contains 26% nitrogen, three-fourths of it in
the ammoniac form and the remainder (i.e. 6.5%) as nitrate nitrogen.
Ammonium Sulphate Nitrate is non-explosive, readily soluble in water and is
very quick-acting. Because this type of fertilizer keeps well, it is very useful for
all crops. Though it can also render garden soil acidic, the acidifying effects is
only one-half of that of ammonium sulphate on garden soil. Application of this
fertilizer type can be done before sowing, at sowing time or as a top-dressing,
but it should not be applied along the seed.
Ammonium Chloride
This fertilizer type comes in a white crystalline compound, which contains a
good physical condition and 26% ammoniac nitrogen. In general, Ammonium
Chloride is similar to ammonium sulphate in action. (TIP: Do not use this type
of fertilizer on crops such as tomatoes because the chorine may harm your
crop.)
Urea
This type of fertilizer usually is available to the public in a white, crystalline,
organic form. It is a highly concentrated nitrogenous fertilizer and fairly
hygroscopic. This also means that this fertilizer can be quite difficult to apply.
Urea is also produced in granular or pellet forms and is coated with a non-
hygroscopic inert material. It is highly soluble in water and therefore, subject
to rapid leaching. It is, however, quick-acting and produces quick results. When
applied to the soil, its nitrogen is rapidly changed into ammonia. Similar to
ammonium nitrate, urea supplies nothing but nitrogen and the application of
Urea as fertilizer can be done at sowing time or as a top-dressing, but should
not be allowed to come into contact with the seed.
Ammonia
This fertilizer type is a gas that is made up of about 80% of nitrogen and comes
in a liquid form as well because under the right conditions regarding
temperature and pressure, Ammonia becomes liquid (anhydrous ammonia).
Another form, 'aqueous ammonia', results from the absorption of Ammonia
gas into water, in which it is soluble. Ammonia is used as a fertilizer in both
these forms. The anhydrous liquid form of Ammonia can be applied by
introducing it into irrigation water, or directly into the soil from special
containers. Not really suitable for the home gardener as this renders the use of
ammonia as a fertilizer very expensive.
Organic Nitrogenous Fertilizers
Organic Nitrogenous fertilizer is the type of fertilizer that includes plant and
animal by-products. These by-products can be anything from oil cakes, to fish
manure and even to dried blood. The Nitrogen available in organic nitrogenous
fertilizer types first has to be converted before the plants can use it. This
conversion occurs through bacterial action and is thus a slow process. The
upside of this situation is that the supply of available nitrogen lasts so much
longer AND the amounts of this type of fertilizer may contain small amounts of
organic stimulants that contain other minor elements that might also be
needed by the plants that are being fertilized. Furthermore, they may also
small amounts of organic stimulants that they may contain, or of some of the
minor elements needed by plant. Oil-cakes contain not only nitrogen but also
some phosphoric and potash, besides a large quantity of organic matter. This
type of fertilizer is used in conjunction with quicker-acting chemical fertilizers.

Then there is also blood meal which contains 10 to 12% highly available
Nitrogen as well as 1 to 2% Phosphoric acid. Blood meal, used in much the
same way as oilcakes, makes for a quick remedy and can effectively be used on
all types of soil as a type of fertilizer.

Fish meal which can be dried fish, fish-meal or even powder is extracted in
areas where fish oil is extracted. The resulting residue is used as a fertilizer
type. Obviously depending on the type of fish used, the available Nitrogen can
be between 5 and 8% and the Phosphoric content can be from 4 to 6%. Fish
meal also constitutes a fast-acting fertilizer type which is suitable for most soil
types and crops. (TIP: In powder form it is at its best.)
ORGANIC AND INORGANIC CHEMICAL PHOSPHATE FERTILIZER TYPES
The Phosphate fertilizers are categorized as natural phosphates, either treated
or processed, and also by products of phosphates and chemical phosphates.
Rock Phosphate
As a type of fertilizer, rock phosphate occurs as natural deposits in some
countries. This fertilizer type has its advantages and disadvantages. The
advantage is that with adequate rainfall this fertilizer results in a long growing
period which can enhance crops. Powdered phosphate fertilizer is an excellent
remedy for soils that are acidic and has a phosphorous deficiency and requires
soil amendments.

However, the disadvantage is that although phosphate fertilizer such as rock
phosphate contains 25 to 35% phosphoric acid, the phosphorous is insoluble in
water. It has to be pulverized to be used as a type of fertilizer before rendering
satisfactory results in garden soil. Thus it is not surprising that Rock Phosphate
is used to manufacture superphosphate which makes the Phosphoric acid
water soluble.
Superphosphate
Superphosphate is a fertilizer type that most gardeners are familiar with. As a
fertilizer type one can get superphosphate in three different grades,
depending on the manufacturing process. The following is a short description
of the different superphosphate fertilizer grades:
Single superphosphate containing 16 to 20% phosphoric acid;
Dicalcium phosphate containing 35 to 38% phosphoric acid; and
Triple superphosphate containing 44 to 49% phosphoric acid.
Triple superphosphate is used mostly in the manufacture of concentrated
mixed fertilizer types.

The greatest advantage to be had of using Superphosphate as a fertilizer is that
the phosphoric acid is fully water soluble, but when Superphosphate is applied
to the soil, it is converted into soluble phosphate. This is due to precipitation as
calcium, iron or aluminum phosphate, which is dependent on the soil type to
which the fertilizer is added, be it alkaline or acidic garden soil. All garden soil
types can benefit from the application of Superphosphate as a fertilizer. Used
in conjunction with an organic fertilizer, it should be applied at sowing or
transplant time.
Slag
Basic slag is a by-product of steel mills and is used as a fertilizer to a lesser
extent than Superphosphate. Slag is an excellent fertilizer that can be used to
amend soils that are acidic because of its alkaline reaction. For slag application
to be an effective fertilizer it has to be pulverized first.
Bonemeal
Bonemeal as a fertilizer type needs no introduction. Bone-meal is used as a
phosphate fertilizer type and is available in two types: raw and steamed.
The raw bone-meal contains 4% organic Nitrogen that is slow acting, and 20 to
25% phosphoric acid that is not soluble in water. The steamed bone-meal on
the other hand has all the fats, greases, nitrogen and glue-making substances
removed as a result of high pressure steaming. But it is more brittle and can be
ground into a powder form. In powder form this fertilizer is of great advantage
to the gardener in that the rate of availability of the phosphoric acid depends
on its pulverization. This fertilizer is particularly suitable as a soil amendment
for acid soil and should be applied either at sowing time or even a few days
prior to sowing. (TIP: As a fertilizer type, bone-meal is slow acting and should
be incorporated into the soil and not as a top-dressing.)
ORGANIC AND INORGANIC CHEMICAL POTASSIUM FERTILIZER TYPES
Chemical Potassium fertilizer should only be added when there is absolute
certainty that there is a Potassium deficiency in your garden soil. Potassium
fertilizers also work well in sandy garden soil that responds to their application.
Crops such as chilies, potato and fruit trees all benefit from this type of
fertilizer since it improves the quality and appearance of the produce. There
are basically two different types of potassium fertilizers:
Muriate of potash (Potassium chloride) and
Sulphate of potash (Potassium sulphate).
Both muriate of potash and sulphate of potash are salts that make up part of
the waters of the oceans and inland seas as well as inland saline deposits.
Muriate Of Potash
Muriate of potash is a gray crystal type of fertilizer that consists of 50 to
60% potash. All the potash in this fertilizer type is readily available to plants
because it is highly soluble in water. Even so, it does not leach away deep into
the soil since the potash is absorbed on the colloidal surfaces. (TIP: Apply
muriate of potash at sowing time or prior to sowing.)
Sulphate Of Potash
Sulphate of potash is a fertilizer type manufactured when potassium chloride is
treated with magnesium sulphate. It dissolves readily in water and can be
applied to the garden soil at any time up to sowing. Some gardeners prefer
using sulphate of potash over muriate of potash.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FERTILIZERS
The different types of fertilizers with all its specifications and cautions that
should be kept in mind should not detract us from the joys of gardening. Thus
to make it easier on most gardeners and since this website is dedicated to the
home gardener and growing our own gardens the following section is geared
towards the home gardener.

The different types of chemical and organic fertilizers that are usually
commercially available in most countries can be categorized further into:
Complete inorganic fertilizers: these types of inorganic fertilizers contain all
three major macronutrients, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K).
On the containers you will find that these macronutrients are depicted as a
ratio, e.g. 2:3:2 (22). Complete inorganic fertilizers are usually applied at a rate
of 60g/m
2
or roughly 4 tablespoons per square meter.
Special purpose fertilizer: these types of fertilizer are formulated especially
to target certain plants' requirements or certain soil deficiencies. Of the
examples that come to mind here are the Blue Hydrangea Food, and straight
fertilizer that is made up of one particular plant nutrient for example lawn
fertilizer.
Liquid fertilizers: these types of fertilizer come in a variety of formulations
and even include organic fertilizer, complete fertilizer as well as special
purpose fertilizer. Some examples of liquid fertilizer are Nitrosol and African
Violet Food.
Slow-release fertilizer: these types of fertilizer are formulated to release
their nitrogen at a steady pace. On the packs of this fertilizer that are available
commercially it will usually be depicted as 3:1:5 (SR) where the SR indicates
slow-release.
Fertilizer with insecticide: these types of fertilizer that are prepared and
combined with an insecticide. One such example is Wonder 4:1:1 (21) +
Karbaspray.
The reason why there are so many different types of chemical fertilizers in
different formulations is because different plants require different
nutrients and different pH levels in the soil. However, organic fertilizers have
more diversity, and these types of fertilizers do not burn plant roots, get into
ground water, or affect surrounding growth as is the case when using the
different types of chemical fertilizer and NPK amendments.