Topic: Introduction and classification of fertilizers

1. Straight fertilizers: Straight fertilizers are those which supply only one primary plant nutrient, namely
nitrogen or phosphorus or potassium. eg. Urea, ammonium sulphate, potassium chloride and potassium
sulphate.

2. Complex fertilizers: Complex fertilizers contain two or three primary plant nutrients of which two
primary nutrients are in chemical combination. These fertilizers are usually produced in granular form. E.g.
Diammonium phosphate, nitrophosphates and ammonium phosphate.

3. Mixed fertilizers: are physical mixtures of straight fertilizers. They contain two or three primary plant
nutrients. Mixed fertilizers are made by thoroughly mixing the ingredients either mechanically or manually.

A. Nitrogenous fertilizers: More than 80 per cent of the fertilizers used in this country are made up of
nitrogenous fertilizers, particularly urea. It is extremely efficient in increasing the production of crops and
the possibilities of its economic production are unlimited.

The nitrogenous fertilizers can be further classified as given below:

1. Ammoniacal fertilizers: Ammoniacal fertilizers contain the nutrient nitrogen in the form of ammonium
or ammonia. Ammoniacal fertilizers are readily soluble in water and therefore readily available to crops.
Except rice, all crops absorb nitrogen in nitrate form. These fertilizers are resistant to leaching loss, as the
ammonium ions get readily absorbed on the colloidal complex of
the soil.

a) Ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2 S04]: It is a white salt completely soluble in water containing 20.6% of
nitrogen and 24.0 % of sulphur. It is used advantageously in rice and jute cultivation.

b) Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl): It is a white salt contains 26 % of nitrogen. It is usually not

recommended for tomato, tobacco and such other crops as may be injured by chlorine.

c) Anhydrous ammonia (NH4): It is a colourless and pungent gas containing 82 %nitrogen. It is the cheapest
andcan be applied directly to soil by injection using blade type applicator having tubes.

2. Nitrate Fertilizers: Nitrate fertilizers contain the nitrogen in the form of NO 3. These ions are easily lost by
leaching because of the greater mobility of nitrate ions in the soil. Continuous use of these fertilizers may
reducethe soil acidity as these nitrogenous fertilizers are basic in their residual effect on soils.
a) Sodium nitrate (NaNO3): Sodium nitrate is a white salt containing about 15.6 % of nitrogen. It is
completely soluble in water and readily available for the use of plants as such, without any chemical
change in the soil. It iseasily lost by leaching and denitrification.

b) Calcium nitrate [Ca (NO3)2]: It is a white crystalline hygroscopic solid soluble in water containing
15.5 %nitrogen and 19.5% calcium. The calcium is useful for maintaining a desirable soil pH.

c) Potassium nitrate (KN03): The purified salt contains 13% nitrogen and 44% potassium. The nitrogen
of thepotassium nitrate has the same properties and value as that of the sodium nitrate.
3. Ammoniacal and nitrate fertilizers: These fertilizers contain nitrogen in both ammonium and nitrate
forms.

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 The nitrates are useful for rapid utilization by crops and the ammonical is gradually available.

a) Ammonium nitrate (NH4N03): It is white, water soluble and hygroscopic crystalline

salt containing 35% nitrogen half as nitrate nitrogen and half in the ammonium form. In the
ammonium form, it cannot be easilyleached from the soil.

b) Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN)/Kisan khad: Calcium ammonium nitrate is a fine free-
flowing, light brown or grey granular fertilizer, containing 26% of nitrogen. It is almost neutral and
can be safely applied even toacid soils.

c) Ammonium sulphate nitrate [(NH4)2S04.NH4NO3]: It contains 26 % nitrogen, three

fourths of it in the ammoniacal form and the rest (6.5 %) as nitrate nitrogen. In addition to nitrogen
it contains 12.1% sulphur.

4. Amide fertilizers: Amide fertilizers are readily soluble in water and easily decomposable in the
soil. The amide form of nitrogen is easily changed to ammoniacal and then to nitrate form in the
soil.

a) Urea [CO (NH2)2]: It is the most concentrated solid nitrogenous fertilizer, containing 46%
nitrogen. It is a white crystalline substance readily soluble in water. It absorbs moisture from the
atmosphere and has to be kept in moisture proof containers. It is readily converted to
ammoniacal and nitrate forms in the soil.

b) Calcium cyanamide (CaCN2): Calcium cyanamide or nitrolime contains 20.6% of nitrogen. It

is a greyish white powdery material that decomposed in moist soil giving rise to ammonia.

B. Phosphatic fertilizers: Phosphatic fertilizers are chemical substances that contain the nutrient
phosphorus inabsorbable form (Phosphate anions) or that yield after conversion in the soil.
Plants are hardly able to absorb more than a 15-20 per cent of the total added fertilizer-
phosphorus. The remaining phosphorus is fixed in the soil and becomes unavailable to the plant grant
roots. For the phosphorus to be available to the sold plants, it must be soluble in soil solution (soil or
p water containing some salts dissolved in it). Solubility of phosphorus in the soil solution depends on
the reaction or pH of the soil. It also depends on the type of phosphatic fertilizer. Depending on the
solubility of are phosphatic fertilizers, they are grouped into the three categories, viz., (1) water
soluble phosphatic fertilizers, (2) citric acid soluble - phosphatic fertilizers, and (3) insoluble
phosphatic fertilizers.
They are broadly classified into 3 major groups on the basis of their solubility either in
water or in citrate or citric acid.
a. Water soluble phosphatic fertilizers (Contain phosphoric acid or mono calcium phosphate)
Water soluble phosphatic fertilizers contain phosphate in very easily dissolvable form (-H2PO4) in
water and, therefore, are readily available to the plants. These fertilizers are highly prone to fixation,
and therefore, their leaching loss from the soil is minimal. But, the fixed form of phosphorus is not
available to the plant. The problem of fixation is severe in highly acidic or alkaline soils.

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 1. Single Super phosphate (SSP) - 16-18 % P2O5 and 12 % S
2. Double super phosphate (DSP) -32% P2O5
3. Triple super phosphate (TSP) - 46-48 % P2O5
4. Ammonium phosphate (AP)- 20 % N and % P2O5
5. Monoammonium phosphate (MAP)- 11 % N and 48 % P2O5
6. Di-Ammonium phosphate (DAP) - 18% N and 46% P containing dicalcium phosphate
7. Ammonium phosphate-sulphate (APS) – 16 % N and 20 % P2O5
Single superphosphate is grey coloured, dry, granular or powdered phosphatic fertilizer. It is
sold in gunny bags with polythene lining inside or plastic bags. When super phosphate is applied in
moist soil or in dry soil after rain or irrigation, phosphate part (H2PO4) is dissolved in the soil water.
The roots of growing plants easily take up this form of phosphorus. There are a few tips to get the
maximum benefit from the application of single superphosphate. Superphosphate should be applied
just before sowing to enable the proper placement and also to ensure sufficient supply of phosphorus
in early stages of plant growth when its requirement is the highest.
The entire dose should be applied before i sowing to short duration crops like paddy, [wheat,
]owar, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, etc. For a long duration crop like sugarcane, the entire amount
should be split in two doses: the first half before sowing and the remaining half with the first earthing
up. For sugarcane, SSP is placed in between the rows, 2-3 inches deep in the soil.
Phosphates of these fertilizers are not mobile in the soil. It is, therefore, necessary that
superphosphate is placed in the root zone or in the soil layer where the roots are most active. In fruit
trees. it should be deep placed. In highly acidic soils, SSP should not be applied. If necessary, it could
be applied along with lime. SSP is suitable for short duration crops and acid when a crop requires
quick start.
b. Citric acid soluble phosphatic fertilizers
Citric acid soluble phosphatic fertilizers are not soluble in water but are readily soluble in acidic
water or weak acids like 2 per cent citric acid. They also contain phosphorus in available form,
i.e., HPO4. The fertilizers are suitable for acidic soils where they can easily dissolve and become
available to plants. The examples of these fertilizers are:
[Link] phosphate (DCP) - 34-39% P2O5
2. Rhenamia phosphate - 23-26% P2O5
3. Basic slag -14-18% P2O5
4. Raw or steamed bone meal- part of P2O5 soluble in citric acid.
5. Fused calcium magnesium phosphate- 16.5% P2O5
The two very important and commonly fertilizers used in a few pockets of the country are:
1 Basic slag: Basic slag is a by-product of iron and steel industries. Original iron ore used as a raw
material in iron industries contains appreciable amount of phosphorus as impurities. Purer form of iron
is exracted from raw material leaving phosphorus and calcium rich basic slag as a by-product. Basic
slag produced in India is of low quality. In contains only 3-8 per cent phosphorus in comparison to 14-
18% phosphorus in basic slag produced in European countries. This is a grayish, black powder with a
very high specific weight. Its phosphorus is easily soluble in soil water of acidic soils. It exerts
alkaline residual effect in the soil, therefore is useful for applying in acid soils. Basic slag is also used
as liming material in our country.

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2.. Dicalcium phosphate: Dicalcium phosphate has a excellent physical condition. It is also very rich
in phosphorus (34% citrate soluble phosphates), therefore, less costly than basic slag in transport,
storage and distribution. This fertilizer is suitable for a wide range of crops and soils because its
phosphorus does not so easily convert into unavailable form as that of super phosphates. Dicalcium
phosphate is suitable for acidic soils.
3. Renonia phosphate: This is a citrate solube phosphatic fertilizer which contains alteast 24%
available phosphorus (HPO4)' The production and consumption of this ferrtilizer in our country is
negligible. However, in foreign countries this fertilizer is used in large amounts.
c. Water insoluble or citric acid insoluble phosphatic fertilizers. Containing tricalcium
phosphate [(Ca3(PO4)2]
As the name suggests, insoluble phosphatic fertilizers are completely insoluble in water. They
are very slightly soluble in weak acids like citric acid but are readily soluble in strong acids. Their use
is, therefore, always recommended for strongly acidic soils. These fertilizers also contain phosphorus
in the available form PO4 but this form is very slowly available in comparison to pervious two forms,
i.e. H2PO4 and HPO4. These fertilizers are applied in large quantities and also ploughed under with
green manuring crops or other organic materials. This group of phosphatic fertilizers is available in
two main forms:
Ex: Rock phosphate- 20-40% P2O5
Raw bone meal- 20-25% P2O5
Steamed bone meal- 22% P2O5
Pyrophos - 17% P2O5

Rock phosphates: In India, rock phosphate is mainly utilised for the manufacturing of various
other phosphatic fertilizers. It is also used directly to the field, as a phosphatic fertilizer in strongly
acidic soils. After mining, it is processed and finally ground and sold in the polythene bags for field
use. Rock phosphate is suitable for permanent, long duration crops like fruit and plantation crops
(orange, apple, tea, coffee, etc.). Rock phosphate responds very well in soils rich in organic matter,
because acids released by decomposing organic matter help in solubilising the rock phosphate.
Legumes which have a high Ca and P requirement, give greater response to rock phosphate than non-
legumes.
Areas having strongly acid soils are the most suitable ones for application of rock phosphate.
Such areas are found in the whole of Kerala. Shimogha, Coorg and Mysore districts of Karnataka,
Chotanagpur region of Bihar, parts of Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal and rice cropped laterite soils
of Orissa.
b. Bonemeal: Bonemeal is the oldest phosphatic fertilizer used by Indian farmers. Presently. it is
marketed: in two forms.
i. Raw bonemeal -The bones collected from city slaughter houses and from the countryside, are dried
and crushed without any treatment. Besides 20-25% P205' raw bonemeal also contains 2-4%
nitrogen.
ii. Steamed bonemeal -The bones collected are given a steam treatment in a sterilization chamber.
They are then dried in warm, rotating ovens. Bones become brittle and easy for grinding.

C. Potassic fertilizers: Potassic fertilizers are chemical substances containing potassium in

absorbed form (K+).There are two potassium fertilizers viz., muriate of potash (KCI) and sulphate
of potash (K2S04).They are water soluble and so are readily available to plants.
a) Potassium chloride (KCI): Potassium chloride or muriate of potash is a white or red,
crystal containing 60% K2O.
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 It is completely soluble in water and therefore readily available to the crops. The chlorine
content isabout 47.0 %.

b) Potassium sulphate (K2S04): Potassium sulphate or sulphate of potash is a white salt and
contains 48 % K2O. It is soluble in water and therefore readily available to the crop. It does not
produce any acidity or alkalinity in the soil. It is preferred for fertilization of crops like tobacco,
potato etc., where quality is of prime importance.
Both MOP and SOP contain a high potassium percentage (60 or 62 percent as K2O for
MOP and 50 percent K2O for SOP). The potassium in both fertilizers is in the same potassium
form, and both salts are water soluble, though the water-solubility of potassium sulfate is about
one-third that of potassium chloride.3 Potassium chloride could be dissolved in water for spray or
fertigation applications while potassium sulfate would not be suitable for these applications.

The biggest disadvantage of potassium sulfate is cost. Potassium chloride is about 40 to 50

percent less expensive per pound of K2O than SOP. The biggest disadvantage of potassium
chloride is its high salt index (116 for MOP 0-0-60 vs. 46 for SOP 0-0-50)4 and chloride content.
Potassium sulfate is often preferred over potassium chloride for some chloride-sensitive crops such
as potatoes, tobacco, some vegetables and fruits, some tree crops like almonds, walnuts and citrus,
although these sensitivities are highly dependent on growing conditions, soil salinity, and salinity
and chloride in irrigation water.5 Some studies show concerns for chloride may be warranted in
some situations, but most studies show little if any difference in field performance of these two
potassium sources provided sulfur or chloride is not deficient, and provided the total chloride from
soil salinity or irrigation water is within the tolerance of the specific crop. For example, potato
growers often use SOP as the potassium source because of concerns about chloride sensitivity,
Chloride affects plants primarily through increasing osmotic potential of soil water. In other
words, chloride salts increase the soil salinity which interferes with a plant’s ability to take up
water. Even in chloride-sensitive crops, studies and observations indicate crops respond to the
overall increased osmotic potential before chloride reaches toxic levels. To understand if chloride
in the fertilizer is a specific concern, one must evaluate total salt loads, potassium rate, and growing
conditions.
Luxury consumption: Some crops tend to absorb and accumulate potassium forin excess of their
needs if it is present in sufficiently large quantities in the soil. This tendency is termed luxury
consumption because the excess K absorbed does not increase crop yields to any appreciable
extent. Wasteful luxury consumption occurs especially with forage crops.

Secondary major-nutrient fertilizers

a. Magnesium fertilizers-These are chemical substances containing the nutrient magnesium in the
form of magnesium cations (Mg2+). Eg. Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4).
b. Calcium fertilizers: These are the chemical substances containing the nutrient calcium in
absorbable calcium cations ('Ca2+) form. The raw material of calcium fertilizers is lime found in nature.
Eg. Calcium Chloride (CaCl2. 6H2O).
c. Sulphate Fertilizers: These are chemical substances containing the nutrient sulphur in the form of
absorbable sulphate anions (SO 2-).The sulphur requirements of plants are about two third of their
phosphorus requirements. Fertilization with sulphur becomes necessary with increasing removal from
the soil with rising agricultural production especially in plants with high sulphur requirements. e.g.
mustard.

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 Key Points of Micronutrients:
 Micronutrients are the elements required by us in small quantities.
 Iron, cobalt, chromium, iodine, copper, zinc, molybdenum are some of the micronutrients.
 Deficiency of any of the nutrients affects growth and development.
 Micronutrients in plants are beneficial for balanced nutrition of crops. These support all the biological
functions of a plant.
 Their deficiency leads to stunted growth, chlorosis, necrosis, delayed maturity, and senescence.
 The micronutrients in plants bind actively to the soil particles and are highly soluble under acidic
conditions.
Micronutrients in Plants
There are seven essential micronutrients in plants. Some nutrients control the permeability of a cell
membrane and some other control the osmotic pressure, buffer action, etc.

Boron (B), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Chlorine (Cl) are
some of the important micronutrients in plants. Lack of any of these nutrients affects growth and
development.

Boron (B)
Boron is found in tourmaline- a highly insoluble mineral and it is essential for proper forming and
strengthening of the cell wall. Boron plays an important role in flowering, fruiting, cell division and
pollen germination. Deficiency of boron results in reduced seed and grain production. Boron
deficiencies generally occur during drought periods. Excess supply or availability of boron is also
harmful to the plant.

Zinc (Zn)
Zinc is an essential element which helps in photosynthesis, energy production and regulation of growth.
Zinc deficiency may cause slower maturity and reduction in the size of the leaf. Zinc deficiencies often
occur during the cold, wet spring season.

Manganese (Mn)
Manganese is essential for photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism. Premature leaf drop and delayed
maturity are the symptoms of manganese deficiency. Manganese is abundant in wet soils, whereas dry
soil has limited manganese.

Iron (Fe)
Iron is essential for energy transfer, nitrogen reduction, and fixation. Iron, along with sulfur, acts as a
catalyst in the formation of other reactions. Yellow leaves are the symptom of Iron deficiency.

Copper (Cu)
Copper is essential for proper photosynthesis, grain production and to the strengthening of a cell wall.
Stunted growth, yellow leaves are the symptoms of copper deficiency. There will not be enough copper
in many soils.

Molybdenum (Mo)
Molybdenum is responsible for pollen formation. It is also responsible for nitrogen fixation. Reduced
fruit or grain growth are the symptoms of Molybdenum deficiency. Sandy soils in the humid region are
the places where zinc deficiencies are found.
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Chlorine (Cl)
Chlorine is the nutrient which helps in osmosis and ionic balance. It also plays a key role in the process
of photosynthesis. Decreased resistance, reduced plant growth are the symptoms of chlorine deficiency.

METHODS OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION

The different methods of fertilizer application are as follows:

a) Broadcasting
1. It refers to spreading fertilizers uniformly all over the field.
2. Suitable for crops with dense stand, the plant roots permeate the whole volume of the soil, large
doses of fertilizers are applied and insoluble phosphatic fertilizers such as rock phosphate are used.
Broadcasting of fertilizers is of two types.
i) Broadcasting at sowing or planting (Basal application)
The main objectives of broadcasting the fertilizers at sowing time are to uniformly distribute the
fertilizer over the entire field and to mix it with soil.
ii) Top dressing
It is the broadcasting of fertilizers particularly nitrogenous fertilizers in closely sown crops like
paddy and wheat, with the objective of supplying nitrogen in readily available form to growing
plants.
Disadvantages of broadcasting
The main disadvantages of application of fertilizers through broadcasting are:
i) Nutrients cannot be fully utilized by plant roots as they move laterally over long distances.
ii) The weed growth is stimulated all over the field.
iii) Nutrients are fixed in the soil as they come in contact with a large mass of soil.
b) Placement
1. It refers to the placement of fertilizers in soil at a specific place with or without reference to the
position of the seed.
2. Placement of fertilizers is normally recommended when the quantity of fertilizers to apply is small,
development of the root system is poor, soil have a low level of fertility and to apply phosphatic
and potassic fertilizer.
The most common methods of placement are as follows:
i) Plough sole placement
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1. In this method, fertilizer is placed at the bottom of the plough furrow in a continuous band during
the process of ploughing.
2. Every band is covered as the next furrow is turned.
3. This method is suitable for areas where soil becomes quite dry upto few cm below the soil surface
and soils having a heavy clay pan just below the plough sole layer.
ii) Deep placement
It is the placement of ammoniacal nitrogenous fertilizers in the reduction zone of soil particularly
in paddy fields, where ammoniacal nitrogen remains available to the crop. This method ensures
better distribution of fertilizer in the root zone soil and prevents loss of nutrients by run-off.
iii) Localized placement
It refers to the application of fertilizers into the soil close to the seed or plant in order to supply the
nutrients in adequate amounts to the roots of growing plants. The common methods to place
fertilizers close to the seed or plant are as follows:
a) Drilling
In this method, the fertilizer is applied at the time of sowing by means of a seed-cum-fertilizer drill.
This places fertilizer and the seed in the same row but at different depths. Although this method has
been found suitable for the application of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers in cereal crops, but
sometimes germination of seeds and young plants may get damaged due to higher concentration of
soluble salts.
b) Side dressing
It refers to the spread of fertilizer in between the rows and around the plants. The common methods
of side-dressing are
1. Placement of nitrogenous fertilizers by hand in between the rows of crops like maize, sugarcane,
cotton etc., to apply additional doses of nitrogen to the growing crops and
2. Placement of fertilizers around the trees like mango, apple, grapes, papaya etc.
c) Band placement
If refers to the placement of fertilizer in bands.
Band placement is of two types.
i) Hill placement
It is practiced for the application of fertilizers in orchards. In this method, fertilizers are placed
close to the plant in bands on one or both sides of the plant. The length and depth of the band varies
with the nature of the crop.
ii) Row placement
When the crops like sugarcane, potato, maize, cereals etc., are sown close together in rows, the
fertilizer is applied in continuous bands on one or both sides of the row, which is known as row
placement.

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 Nutrient content of micronutrient fertilizers

Fertiliser Grade: Fertilizer grade refers to the guaranteed minimum percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus
(P) and potash (K) contained in fertilizer material. The numbers representing the grade are separated by
hyphens and are always stated in the sequence of N, P, and K. For example, label on the fertilizer bag with a
grade 28-28- 0 indicates that 100 kg of fertilizer material contains 28 kg of N, 28 kg of P and no potash.
Different grades of fertilizers are available in India.

Some of them are: 28-28-0, 20-20-0, 14-35-14, 17-17-17, 14-28-14 etc.

Fertilizer ratio: It refers to the ratio of the percentage of N, P2O5 and K2O in the fertilizer mixture e.g., the
fertilizer grade 12-6-6 has a fertilizer ratio of [Link].

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