Fertilizers

There is great variety among fertilizer materials. In general, fertilizers fall within two major
categories: commercial fertilizer sources and organic sources. While it is difficult to make direct
comparisons between these two sources, a few loose comparisons can be made.
First, commercial sources are typically high analysis fertilizers, while organic sources are low
analysis. This means that commercial fertilizers contain a larger percentage of a given nutrient
than organic sources. As a result, commercial fertilizers are applied in lesser amounts than
organic sources, since it takes less commercial fertilizers to achieve a given rate.
Secondly, composition of organic fertilizer is generally much more varied than commercial
fertilizers. This lack of consistency can make it difficult to predict how much organic fertilizers
should be applied in order to obtain a desired rate.
Thirdly, commercial fertilizer production is fossil fuel intensive. As a result, the price of
commercial fertilizer can be relatively expensive.

NITROGEN FERTILIZERS
Anhydrous ammonium is the starting block for most inorganic nitrogen fertilizers. Anhydrous
ammonium is manufactured by reacting N2 with H2 under extreme heat and pressure in the
presence of a catalyst, known as the Haber-Bosch technology. The Haber-Bosch technology
requires large energy input but allows for the manufacture of high N analysis fertilizers .

1. Anhydrous Ammonium

 Anhydrous ammonium has the highest nitrogen analysis out of all inorganic fertilizers
 It is comprised of 82% nitrogen.
 It must be kept under pressure since it evaporates under normal atmospheric pressure.
 It is very harmful to human tissue, such as eyes, skin, and lungs. Thus, there are many
safety precautions associated with the handling of NH3.

2. Ammonium sulfate

 Contains 21% nitrogen and 11% sulfur

 Sugarcane and pineapple production
 Ammonium sulfate is acid forming and lowers soil pH.

3. Ammonium phosphate
Monoammonium phosphate (MAP)

 11-18% nitrogen and 48-55% P2O5

 MAP is a water soluble fertilizer
 The soil pH temporarily lowers to about 3.5 in areas where MAP initially reacts with soil.
Diammonium phosphate (DAP)

 18-21% nitrogen and 46-53% P2O5

 DAP is a water soluble fertilizer.
 The soil pH temporarily reduces to 8.5 in areas where DAP initially reacts with soil.
 DAP may produce free ammonia in high pH soils, which may cause seed injury if placed
too close to seed rows.

4. Potassium nitrate

 13% nitrogen and 44% K2O

 Provides soil with readily available nitrate, which generally increases soil pH.

5. Calcium nitrate

 15% nitrogen and 34% CaO

 Provides soil with readily available nitrate.
 However, calcium nitrate is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from air) and must be kept
under air-tight storage conditions.

6. Urea

 45-46% nitrogen
 Advantages of urea over other nitrogen sources include:
 reduced caking of fertilizer material
 less corrosion on equipment
 decreased costs associated with storage, transportation, and handling
 Once applied to the soil, an enzyme known as urease transforms urea to NH4+ and HCO3-
.
 This transformation readily occurs under warm, moist conditions.
 Urea temporarily increases the pH of the soil it contacts, due to the initial release of NH3.
However, the soil pH may ultimately decrease as the NH4+ nitrifies to NO3-, which is an
acid producing reaction.
 In soils with high pH, NH4+ may volatilize and escape from the soil in the form of NH3.
Volatilization losses are reduced by incorporating or washing urea into the soil.
 Urea can contain biurate, which is phytotoxic to most plants.
 Although most plants tolerate up to 2% biurate levels, pineapple and citrus are sensitive
to biuret. The urea should contain less than 0.25% biuret.

PHOSPHATE

 The major source of inorganic phosphorus fertilizers is rock phosphate. Rock phosphate
is a naturally occurring mineral, which is mined from the earth. Deposits of rock
 phosphate occur around the world, such as in the United States, Russia, Morocco, and
China.
1. Rock phosphate (RP)
 27-41% P2O5 and 25% Calcium
 The minerals that make up RP are various forms of apatite. The reactivity of RP depends
on the type of apatite and its inherent purity. RP is not water soluble and only becomes
available to plants under acidic conditions. RP is most reactive when it is finely ground
and incorporated into warm, moist, acidic soils with long growing seasons. Although the
availability of RP is slow, it has a great long term residual effect.

2. Superphosphate
Single superphosphate (SSP)

 16-22% P2O5, 11-12% sulfur, and 20% calcium

 SSP is manufactured by reacting RP with sulfuric acid.
 SSP does not have a great influence on soil pH.

Triple superphosphate (TSP)

 44-52% P2O5, 1-1.5% sulfur, and 13% Ca

 TSP is produced by treating RP with phosphoric acid
 Like SSP, TSP does not have a great effect on soil pH.

3. Ammonium phosphate
Monoammonium phosphate (MAP)

 11-13% N, 48-62% P2O5, and 0-2% S

 MAP is water soluble.
 MAP temporarily lowers the soil pH to 3.5 in areas where MAP initially reacts with the
soil.

Diammonium phosphate (DAP)

 18-21% N, 46-53% P2O5, and 0-2% S

 DAP are water soluble.
 The soil pH temporarily lowers to 8.5 in areas where DAP initially reacts.
 DAP may produce free NH3 in soils with a high pH, which may cause seed injury if placed
close to seed rows.

POTASSIUM

 Potassium is mined from the earth as soluble potassium salts, or potash, with varying
degree of purity. Canada is home to the world’s largest potash deposit.
1. Potassium chloride (muiate of potash)
 60-63% K2O
 KCl is the most commonly used K fertilizer.
 KCl readily dissolves in water

2. Potassium sulfate (sulfate of potash)

 50-53% K2O, 17% S K2SO4-

 Potassium sulfate is completely water soluble.
 In comparison to KCl, potassium sulfate:
 has a lower salt index
 may be used on crops that are sensitive to Cl- (i.e. avocado).

3. Potassium nitrate

 44% K2O and 13% N

 Potassium nitrate is also water soluble.
 Increases soil pH

Potassium nitrate is also a source of nitrogen.

4. Potassium-magnesium sulfate

 22% K2O, 11% Mg, and 22% S

 This inorganic fertilizer does not have a significant effect on soil pH

CALCIUM

1. Lime
 Soil amendment which is commonly used to raise the pH of the soil.
 Ground coral in Hawaii contains 38% Mg and 0.6% Mg

Calcium Carbonate

 Approximately 38% Ca, depending upon its source

 A common liming material, calcium carbonate also supplies calcium to the soil.

Dolomite

 22% Ca and 12% Mg, depending upon the dolomite source

 In addition to raising the pH, dolomite is a source of calcium and magnesium.

2. Gypsum

 23% Ca and 19% S

  Unlike liming materials, gypsum does not increase the soil pH.
 In addition to providing calcium and sulfur, gypsum may be used to correct soil physical
problems and/or aluminum toxicities.

3. Calcium nitrate

 15% N and 20% Ca

 Calcium nitrate is very soluble in water.

4. Superphosphates
Single (SSP)

 18-21% Ca
 SSP supplies both calcium and phosphate.

Triple (TSP)

 12-14% Ca
 Like SSP, TSP supplies both calcium and phosphate

MAGNES IUM

1. Dolomite
 22% Ca and 12% Mg, depending upon the source
 Dolomite is a source of both Ca and Mg, in addition to its liming affect.

2. Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)

 9.8% Mg and12% S
 Epsom salt is very soluble and does not alter soil pH.

3. Magnesium oxide

 55% Mg
 Magnesium oxide increases soil pH.
 It is not highly water soluble. For maximum reactivity, it is often mixed into the soil.

SULFUR

1. Elemental sulfur
 In its elemental form, sulfur is a solid
 Elemental sulfur is insoluble in water.
 When finely-ground elemental sulfur is incorporated into the soil, microorganisms oxidize
and convert it to sulfate.
  The finer the sulfur, the greater its oxidization potential when incorporated into the soil.

2. Ammonium sulfate

 Contains 24% S and 21% N

 Ammonium sulfate can have a strong acidifying effect on soil

MICRONUTRIENT

Iron

 Iron (ferrous) sulfate

o Contains19% Fe
o May be used as a foliar spray to correct Fe deficiencies
 Iron chelate (iron EDTA)
o Contains 5-14% Fe
o May be used as foliar spray or directly applied to the soil
o Though expensive, chelates prevent the formation of insoluble Fe compounds

Zinc

 Zinc sulfate

o Contains 35% Zn
o Due to its low soil mobility, zinc sulfate should be mixed into the soil when
broadcasted
o Band placement is favorable in finely textures soils that are low in Zn
o Available as a foliar spray

 Zinc chelate (EDTA)

o Contains 14% Zn
o May be applied as a foliage spray or directly to the soil
o Zn chelates are very soluble and may be incorporated into liquid fertilizers

Copper

 Copper sulfate

o Contains 25% Cu
o May be applied to the soil and/or foliage
o Incorporating Cu into the plant root zone increases the efficiency of Cu

 Copper chelate (EDTA)

 o Contains 13% Cu
o Very soluble
o May be applied as a foliar spray

Manganese

 Mangenese sulfate

o Contains 26-28% Mn
o May be applied as a foliar spray and/or directly to the soil in a band application

 Manganese chelate (EDTA)

o Contains 5-12%
o Not recommended as a broadcast

Boron

 Sodium borate, or borax

o Contains 11% B
o May be applied to soil as a band or broadcast
o Available as a foliar spray
o Since boron has a small sufficiency range, it should be mixed uniformly into the
soil
o Care should be taken to prevent B toxicity.

 Sodium tetraborate

o Contains14-15%
o Most widely used B fertilizer

Granusol

o A manufactured product that contains 5.4% Fe, 5.2% Zn, 5.6% Mn, 5.4% Mg,
2.6% Cu, and 0.5% B. Since it is largely insoluble, it should be incorporated into
the soil.