LESSON 2: RECOMMENDED SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Maintenance of soil fertility necessitates the proper integration of soil management practices such as
fertilization, organic matter maintenance, crop rotation, cover cropping and proper tillage.
Definition of terms:
Fertilization is one of the widely used methods in maintaining soil fertility where additional needed
nutrients are being supplied to the soil.
Fertilizer. Any organic or inorganic substance of natural or synthetic origin added to the soil to
supply the elements required in plant nutrition.
Mixed/Compound fertilizer. Is a mechanical or chemical combination of two or more fertilizer
materials which contains two or more essential nutrient elements. Ex: (Nitrophosphate-NP fertilizer),
(Monoammonium and diammonium phosphate-NP fertilizer)
Complete Fertilizer. Contains the three major plant-nutrient elements (N, P, K). Ex: 14-14-14, 10-10-
10, 20-5-20
Fertilizer Grade. Refers to the minimum guarantee of the plant nutrient content in terms of total N,
available P2O5 and soluble K2O.
* Most people think of fertilizer grade as “NPK”. Actually, N is listed as the element, but the other two
nutrients are listed in their oxide forms. The true grade should be listed as N-P 2O5 (phosphoric acid) and
K2O(potash).
Fertilizer Ratio. Refers to the relative percentages of N, P 2O5 and K2O in a fertilizer grade. (Obtained
by dividing the grade by the lowest common denominator).
Fertilizer Grade Ratio
a. 10-10-10 1:1:1 (10/10)
b. 20-20-20 1:1:1 (20/20)
c. 6-12-12 1:2:2 (6/6), 12/6, 12/6)
d. 5 -15-30 1:3:6 (5/5, 15/5, 30/5)
Fertilizer Formula. An expression of the quantity and analysis of the materials in a mixed fertilizer.
Acid Forming Fertilizer. Fertilizer capable of decreasing pH.
Basic Forming Fertilizer. Fertilizer capable of increasing pH.
Dry Bulk Blending. Process of mechanically mixing solid fertilizer materials.
Fertilizer Filler. A non-nutrient material added to fertilizer, e.g. sand, clay
Fertilizer Starter. A small amount of fertilizer placed on the seeds or transplants to promote early
growth.
Fertigation. Application of fertilizer in irrigation water either in surface or overhead irrigation
(especially for N).
Hygroscopicity of Fertilizer. The capacity to absorb moisture from the atmosphere [relative humidity
(RH)].
Macroelements. Nutrient elements needed in large amounts.
Microelements. Nutrient elements needed in small or minute amounts.
Hydrophilic. Water loving; Hydrophobic = not water loving
Classification of Fertilizers and Fertilizer materials:
A. Inorganic Fertilizers. Commercially or synthetically manufactured fertilizers. The origin is from
non-living things.
1. solid
2. liquid or foliar
Classification of Inorganic Fertilizers:
1. Single nutrient fertilizer: Fertilizers that supply one primary nutrient; also called straight fertilizers
2. Compound/Mixed fertilizers- Fertilizer containing two or three primary nutrients
3. Complete fertilizer- Contains the 3 macro nutrients.
Commonly available chemical fertilizers and their grades in the Philippines:
Type of fertilizer Grade (%N-%P2O5-%K2O)
Single Nutrient Fertilizer:
Ammonium sulfate 21-0-0-24
Urea 46-0-0
Superphosphate 0-20-0
Muriate of potash 0-0-60
Compound/Mixed Fertilizer Ammonium phosphate 16-20-0
Di-ammonium phosphate 18-46-0
Complete fertilizer 14-14-14
16-16-16
19-19-19
General Characteristics of Inorganic Fertilizers:
o Contain relatively high nutrient elements.
o Readily soluble; brings about rapid reaction.
o Readily available
o Less bulky, easier transport
Disadvantages of inorganic fertilizer application:
1. Destroy the soil structure and other physical properties of soils.
2. Affects some chemical properties such as pH, microbial activity.
3. Problems on storage especially for highly hygroscopic which will lead to caking.
B. Organic Fertilizers. Refers to any product which is of plant or animal origin decomposed that supports
plant needs.
e.g. farm manures, composts, sewage and some industrial by-products such as bagasse, guano, molasses,
peat, ashes, etc.
Classification of Organic Fertilizers:
1. Pure Organic. Decomposed plant and animal materials with added activators to hasten decomposition and
no chemical nor inorganic fertilizer material has been added without affecting nutrient contents.
2. Fortified or Enriched Organic Fertilizer. These are materials which had been enriched with microbial
inoculants, hormones, and/or chemical additives to increase its nutrient content.
General Characteristics of Organic Fertilizers:
* Generally contain low amount of major plant nutrients. N = 1-7%; P2O5 = 2-12%; K2O = 0-10%
*Slow availability of nutrients but sustaining needs the action of microorganism to transform organic to
inorganic form (mineralization).
*Promote good soil physical properties.
*Induces nutritional deficiency in plants when applied as fresh or partially decomposed.
*Major source of microelements.
Disadvantages of organic fertilizer:
1. Toxic substances
2. Variable quality
3. Slow-release of nutrients
4. Messy, bulky and difficult to transport
General Recommendations in the Use of Fertilizers for Crop Production
A. Right balance of nutrients. Know the nutrient requirement of your crop.
B. Right fertilizer form. Choose the right kind of fertilizer to apply.
Your choice of fertilizer should be based upon:
The nutrient contents of fertilizers available
The nutrients required by the crop and soil
The comparative costs of the different fertilizers
Availability of fertilizer
C. Right amount of fertilizer to apply. Know the amount of fertilizers to apply.
Fertilizer computation is required in order to know the amount of fertilizer to be applied.
Fertilizer Grade- This refers to the minimum guarantee of the nutrient content in terms of percent N,
percent available P2O5, and percent water-soluble K2O in a fertilizer.
Example: 14-14-14;
46-0-0;
0-18-0;
0-0-60
Fertilizer Recommendation- The fertilizer recommendation is expressed in kilograms N, kg P2O5
and kg K2O per hectare, respectively.
Example: 90-60-30
In 90-60-30 for instance, the recommendation means the application of 90 kg N, 60 kg P2O5, and
30 kg K2O per hectare, respectively.
Calculation:
o Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required
% Nutrient
Weight of N in a bag urea = Wt. of a bag of urea x % nutrient
Sample problem: Use of single nutrient fertilizers
Calculate the quantity of Urea, Super phosphate and Muriate of potash required for 1 hectare of tomato field.
Recommended rate of NPK for tomato is 100-60-50 kg/ha? Determine the number of bags of every fertilizer to
be used.
Given:
Fertilizers
Urea- 46-0-0
Super phosphate- 0-20-0
Muriate of potash- 0-0-60
Recommended Rate: 100-60-50 kg/ha
Area: 1 hectare
Find: Weight of urea, SP and MP fertilizer to apply
FORMULA: Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required
% Nutrient
* Weight of Urea= 100 kg/ha
.46
= 217.39 kg/ha
*Weight of Super phosphate = 60 kg/ha
.20
= 300 kg/ha
*Weight of Muriate of potash = 50 kg/ha
.50
= 100 kg/ha
Therefore, 217.39 kg/ha urea, 300 kg/ha super phosphate and 100 kg/ha muriate of potash is needed to be
applied.
o No. of fertilizer bags = Wt. of nutrient
Wt. of nutrient/bag (50 kg)
No. of fertilizer bags = 217.39 kg
50 kg
= 4.34 bags of Urea
No. of fertilizer bags = 300 kg
50 kg
= 6 bags of SP
No. of fertilizer bags = 100 kg
50 kg
= 2 bags of MP
Sample problem: Use of compound nutrient fertilizers
Calculate the quantity of Ammonium phosphate, Urea, and Muriate of potash required for 1 hectare of tomato
field. Recommended rate of NPK for tomato is 100-60-50 kg/ha? Determine the number of bags of every
fertilizer to be used.
Given:
Fertilizers
Ammonium phosphate- 16-20-0
Urea- 46-0-0
Muriate of potash- 0-0-60
Recommended Rate: 100-60-50 kg/ha
Area: 1 hectare
Find: Weight of ammonium phosphate, urea and MP fertilizer to apply
FORMULA: Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required
% Nutrient
*Weight of ammonium phosphate = 60 kg/ha
.20
= 300 kg/ha
.16 N x 300 kg/ha = 48 kg/ha N
Since 100 kg/ha N is required by the plant, subtract 48 kg/ha from 100 kg/ha.= 52 kg/ha
Calculate now the weight of urea to be applied to satisfy the nutrient requirement of the crop.
*Weight of urea = 52 kg/ha
.46
= 113.04 kg/ha
*Weight of muriate of potash = 50 kg/ha
.50
= 100 kg/ha
Therefore, 300 kg/ha ammonium phosphate, 113.04 kg/ha urea and 100 kg/ha muriate of potash is
needed to be applied to satisfy the nutrient requirement of the crop.
Sample problem: Use of complete nutrient fertilizers
Calculate the quantity of 14-14-14, Urea, and superphosphate required for 1 hectare of tomato field.
Recommended rate of NPK for tomato is 100-60-50 kg/ha? Determine the number of bags of every fertilizer to
be used.
Given:
Fertilizers
14-14-14
Superphosphate- 0-20-0
Urea- 46-0-0
Recommended Rate: 100-60-50 kg/ha
Area: 1 hectare
Find: Weight of 14-14-14, urea and superphosphate fertilizer to apply
FORMULA: Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required
% Nutrient
*Weight of 14-14-14 = 50 kg/ha
.14
= 357.14 kg/ha
150-60-50
- 50-50-50
100-10-0
*Weight of Urea = 100 kg/ha
.46
= 217.39 kg/ha
*Weight of Superphosphate = 10 kg/ha
.20
= 50 kg/ha
D. Right timing of fertilizer application. Know the right time of fertilizer application
To obtain the maximum benefit from the fertilizers, these should be applied at different stages of plant
development when it is needed most.
Stages:
1. Early vegetative stage
2. Maximum tillering stage (in the case of rice)
Onset of flowering stage (in the case of fruit trees and plantation crops)
3. Panicle initiation (rice)
Onset of fruiting for fruit trees and plantation crops
E. Right application. Know the proper fertilizer placement
Fertilizer Application Methods
1. Broadcasting- A recommended rate of lime or fertilizer is
spread over the growing area. Broadcasting is the
application method generally used for large field areas,
when time or labor are limited, or when it is important to
obtain a uniform distribution of the soil amendment, as
with a liming material. This is generally applies to N
fertilizer.
2. Banding- This method
of the fertilizer band or excessive application rate can often reduce
germination rate, burn seedling roots.
3. Side Dressing- This term
mid-growth period of the crop. The purpose
is to ensure availability of plant foods particularly nitrogen in the form
of nitrate during the critical growth period.
4. Fertigation- nitrogen and potassium are sometimes side dressed
by application in the irrigation water that is applied to crop
production systems at intervals during the growing season.
5. Foliar feeding- foliar
minutes after application and its
completer within one to two days with most nutrients.
6. Basal “starter” - First of fertilizer applied at planting time.
7. Ring- Fertilizer is applied around the base of the plant or tree.
Considerations in choosing the method of fertilizer application.
1. Relative mobility of nutrients in the soil
2. Type of crop and its rooting pattern
3. Soil Texture
4. Season of the year
5. Kind of fertilizer.
Time of fertilizer application.
1. In sandy soils, N is necessary split as well as K.
2. For heavy clays, all of N is sometimes placed at planting.
3. P and K are usually applied at planting as they are less mobile, less subject to leaching and less
soluble.
4. P is also needed at young age to accelerate root development.
5. In alkaline soils, ammonium fertilizer is necessary deep placed to minimize volatilization of
ammonia.
Basic Principles of Fertilizer Application:
1. Balanced quantities of all necessary nutrients, water and oxygen must be available to plant roots for
maximum yields.
2. Early stimulation of seedling usually is advantageous, thus, at least a part of plant food should be
placed within reach of young seedling roots.
3. A concentration above 1% of salt (such as those of sulphates, chlorides, sodium and calcium) in soil
solution prevents germination of most seeds and injures or kills plants.
4. Fertilizer applied on the soil surface or plant nutrients carried to the surface during dry weather are
subject to removal in the run-off water of sudden intensive rain.
5. Leaching is greater from sandy soils.
6. Avoid broadcast application of fertilizer when the leaves are wet. It may result to burning.
