Methods of Fertilization

PSS 162: Soil Fertility and Management

Spring 2007
Topics of Discussion

Fertilizer Terminology

Building SOM and Fertility

Application Methods

Issues with Fertilizers
Fertilizer Terminology
Fertilizer
any substance that is added to the soil (or
sprayed onto plants) to supply those chemical
elements required for achieving plant growth
Fertilizer Terminology
Fertilizer material
A carrier (material) that contains at least one
plant nutrient element.
Fertilizer Terminology
Mixed Fertilizer
a fertilizer that contains two or more of the three
macronutrients (N-P-K). Complete mixed
fertilizers contain all three macros.
Fertilizer Terminology
Fertilizer Grade
minimum guarantee of plant nutrient content in
fertilizer in terms of total N, available P2O5, and
available K20 in that order
Fertilizer Terminology
Fertilizer Ratio

the relative amounts of N, P
2
O
5
, and K
2
O in
fertilizers
Fertilizer Terminology
Filler

a material added to mixed fertilizers to complete
the weight requirement for 2,000 pounds (1 ton)
Methods of Building Fertility in Soil
Organic matter is key factor!
Methods of Building Fertility in Soil

Conserve what youve got
Avoid unnecessary tillage


Add residues to the soil
Incorporate cover crops, manures, compost
and crop residues
Promote biological activity for soil building over
time
Methods of Building Fertility In Soil

Crop Rotation

Cover Crops

Green Manures

Compost
Crop Rotation
decrease soil nutrient loss from:
runoff
erosion

increases soil organic matter

reduce need for purchasing fertilizer
ex. legume crops which fix atmospheric N
Crop Rotation


increases soil biodiversity

increase nutrient cycling capacity

reduces build-up and carryover of soil
borne diseases and insect pests
Crop Rotation: Example

Legumes which fix
nitrogen

Followed by crops like
cereals which need
nitrogen
Cover Crops

Protects soil surface from:

Raindrop Impact


Runoff


Erosion

Cover Crops: Strategies
Four Main Strategies


Fallow Cover Crops

Winter Cover Crops

Smother Crops

Inter-seeded
Cover Crops: Fallow

Keeping continuous
production on the farm

Reduces soil erosion
and rain impact damage

Usually pick a plant like
Barseem clover which
does not go dormant
Cover Crops: Winter

planted in late
summer or fall

provides soil cover
during the winter

Usually a legume due
to added benefit of
Nitrogen fixation
Cover Crops: Smother

Crop grown to suppress
persistent weeds

One of the best is
alfalfa which competes
successfully with many
weeds
Cover Crops: Inter-seeded

Undersowing into a
standing cash crop

Get a jump on winter
cover crop season

Increase biomass
production, better
erosion control and
SOM enhancement
Cover Crops: Grasses
Winter Rye
Oats
Winter Wheat
Barley, Triticale
Ryegrass
Sorghum-Sudan Grass
Japanese Milet
Cover Crops: Legume
Red Clover
White Clover
Sweet Clover
Hairy Vetch
Alfalfa
Field Pea
Cowpea
Soybean
Green Manures

a soil building crop

produces organic material for
incorporation into the soil

Example: rapid growing summer annuals
like buckwheat and sorghum sudangrass
are planted between short season veggie
crops to add organic matter to the soil
Green Manure
Compost

contains macro and micro nutrients often not
found in synthetic fertilizers

slow release
Soil Fertility Building Practices

All intended to add SOM

Subsequently building the fertility of a soil

Will reduce the need for fast release synthetic
fertilizers

Contributing factors of maintaining sustainability
Addressing Specific Deficiencies

Fertility building practices are obviously
beneficial

Still regular soil tests should be carried
out to make sure all nutrient levels are up
to par

This will reveal specific deficiencies or
excesses you need to address
Fertilizer Media

Be careful if you have a certified organic
operation

Conventional growers have a wider array
of fertilizers to address specific issues
Fertilizer Media: Organic Fertilizers
Labels are confusing

Products may contain products prohibited
under organic production
synthetic urea
synthetic plant nutrients
sewage sludge

Binding agents & pelleting materials may
be synthetic
Fertilizer Media: Organic Fertilizers
Organic growers can only use approved
products:

Compost
Uncomposted plant materials
Animal Manures
Wood Ash
Mined Substances
limestone, potassium sulfate, gypsum
Fish products
Micronutrient products
Organic Fertilizers




Wood Ashes
Organic Fertilizers

Limestone




Gypsum
Organic Fertilizers




Fish Byproducts
Conventional/Synthetic Fertilizers
Used as a quick fix to address specific nutrient problems
Generally fast released compared to organic fertilizers
Conventional Fertilizers
Can also be called
synthesized or
artificial

Commonly contain the
three primary macro-
nutrients (N-P-K)

Intentional mixes
which are called
compound or mixed
fertilizers
Conventional Fertilizers

Anhydrous ammonia

A gas

Can be applied if
absolutely necessary

Ammonia itself can also
be applied if incorp-
orated into irrigation
water

Conventional Fertilizers


Superphosphate

Can be synthesized

Can be created naturally
by action of guano or
bird feces
Conventional Fertilizers


Potassium sulfate

A crude salt which adds
potassium and sulfur to
the soil
Methods of Fertilization
Once youve decided on your plan for efficient
nutrient inputs
Must choose a technique to apply them
Methods of Fertilization

Crops grown

Crop Rotation

Degree of Soil deficiency

Mobility of nutrients in soil

Desired speed of effect
Work force

Equipment available
Fertilizer placement depends on a number of factors:
Methods of Fertilization
Pre planting

Broadcast and
Incorporation

At planting

Banding
Post emergent

Side dress
Top dress
Fertigation
Foliar feeding
Methods of Fertilization: Broadcast
and Incorporation
Nutrient applied uniformly to
soil surface
Incorporated by tilling or
cultivating
Only option for applying
fertilizers to existing stands
of perennial forage (i.e. N on
cool season grasses or K2O
on alfalfa)

used on entire crop fields or
beds
best for large volumes of
materials
used on soils that
Are not prone to leaching
have significant shortage of
nutrients
Methods of Fertilization: Broadcast
and Incorporation
Broadcasting
Methods of Fertilization: Broadcast
and Incorporation
Incorporating
Methods of Fertilization: Banding

Applying fertilizers
several inches below
and to the side of the
seeds or transplant row


* The circles show
placement of
fertilizer near roots
when banding
Methods of Fertilization: Banding
Most efficient fertilizer program for conventional and
especially reduced tillage
Nutrients placed in a position to feed growing plant
systems
Methods of Fertilization: Banding
Pros

More efficient than
broadcasting
Reduces nutrient losses
being placed underground
Improves water-use
efficiency
Subsoil moisture more
available during summer
Cons

Direct contact of with
plant may damage crop
phytoxicity

Increased handing of
fertilizer and constant
fill-ups
Methods of Fertilization: Side Dressing
Apply along side crop row, often at lay-by (last
cultivation for weed control)
Used mainly to apply Nitrogen

Methods of Fertilization: Top Dressing

Broadcasting/ spinning
on fertilizer over the
entire crop canopy
spinner spreader

Rainfall/dew relied upon
for incorporation


Methods of Fertilization: Fertigation



Application of soluble
fertilizer through the
irrigation system

Methods of Fertilization: Fertigation
Methods of Fertilization: Fertigation

Pros


Reduced labor costs

Simple to install

Even distribution

Consistent application at a
controlled rate

Cons


Time planning system

Equipment needed

Large initial start-up costs
Methods of Fertilization: Foliar feeding
Spray dilute solution of
nutrients onto crop
canopy

Used for:
Nitrogen
Magnesium
Micronutrients

Meets emergency crop
needs

Improve crop
appearance
Methods of Fertilization: Foliar feeding

Pros
Fast acting
Effective when
appropriate

Cons
Washing off from rain
Foliage burn
Low concentration due
to foliage burn
Rapid drying of
sprayed solution

Application Equipment
A quick gander at what else is out there
Application Equipment
Issues with Fertilization

Surface Run-off

Groundwater leaching

Excess nutrients can make plants
vulnerable

Volatile gases escape into the atmosphere
Issues with Fertilization

Surface run-off

Plants do not metabolize all nutrients instantly

A flush of rainfall can cause nutrients to run
right off the surface of the field
Issues with Fertilization
Groundwater leaching

Nutrients cause
problems when leached
through the soil and
into ground water

Ex. Phosphorous in
water bodies creates
algal blooms

This is detrimental to
fish and other aquatic
life
Issues with Fertilization

Excess Nutrients can be
detrimental to crops

Too much Nitrogen can
make plants too
succulent
This stunts growth
Increases pest
susceptibility
Salt Index
High concentration of soluble salts in
contact with roots causes injurious effects
This is called plasmolysis
Salt moves H2O out of cell, partially collapsing
the cell
Causes symptoms similar to drought stress
Broadcast and side dressing are effective ways
to avoid salt injury

Nitrate Depression
Adding large amounts of organic matter to
the soil may lead to nitrate depression
Where soluble nitrogen gets incorporated
into the bodies of soil decomposers until
the carbon of OM is decomposed


References
Bierman, P (2005). Nutrient Cycling & Maintaining Soil Fertility.
University of Minnesota Extension Service, Retrieved
February 10, 2007, from
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M11
93.html
Grubinger, Vernon (1999). Sustainable Vegetable Production
From Start- Up to Market. Ithica, New York: NRAES.
Havlin, J, Tisdale, S, Beaton, J, & Nelson, W (2005). Soil
Fertility and Fertilizers. Saddle River, New
Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Magdoff, F, & Van Es, H (2000). Building Soils for Better
Crops. Baltimore, MD: Sustainable Agriculture Network.
Pulshen, L (2004). Applications of Micronutrients: Pros and Cons
of Different Application Strategies. Retrieved February 13,
2007, from IFA Web site:
http://www.fertilizer.org/ifa/publicat/PDF/2004_ag_new_del
hi_pulschen_slides.pdf


Thank you!