FERTILIZATION

WHAT IS FERTILIZATION?
 Fertilization
• Material that comes from natural sources and can be used to
support plant growth.
• Fertilization is the application of nutrient supplements to make
available nutrients to the plant.(Corn Third Edition, 2019)
• Fertilization is supplementing the existing soil with additional,
needed nutrients.
• Soil fertilization is the process of supplying nutrients to the soil
to enhance plant growth and development, which can impact the
effectiveness of plant mycorrhization based on the nutrient
supplying status of the soil (Chemosphere, 2016)
 Fertilizer
• Fertilizers are products whose main function is to provide
nutrients to plants, mainly nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium, but also calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and other
micronutrients needed for their development under optimal
conditions.
IMPORTANCE OF FERTILIZATION?
To grow healthy crops full of nutrients, farmers need to
ensure they have healthy soil. Without fertilizers, nature
struggles to replenish the nutrients in the soil.
• Fertilizing wisely increases yield, quality (nitrogen content
and digestibility), and profits. (Oregon State University,
2025)
• The right fertilizer will help prevent nutrient deficiencies,
can reduce environmental impact, and save farmers money
among its other positive effects.
THE TWO TYPES OF FERTILIZER
 1. Organic Fertilizer

• Organic fertilizers are naturally available mineral sources that

contain moderate amount of essential plant nutrients.
• Organic fertilizers can be natural (manure and slurry) or
processed, such as compost, blood meal and humic acid,
natural enzyme-digested Proteins., fish meal, and feather meal.
• Organic fertilizer is an essential source of plant nutrients
and soil.
Examples of
organic
fertilizers
TWO TYPES OF ORGANIC
FERTILIZERS
1. Animal-Based Organic Fertilizers
• Animal-based fertilizers include things like bone meal,
feather meal, blood meal, or fish meal. Animal waste-based
fertilizer, otherwise known as manure, can be from cows,
chickens, or various other combinations.
• Animal manure and slaughterhouse byproducts are the main
sources of animal-based natural fertilizers.
• Animal-based fertilizers are made with animal manures and
residues from slaughtering animals, such as bone and blood
meal.
 Examples:
• Bone meal -provides plants with calcium and phosphorus, which they
need for root growth and flowering.
• Poultry (chicken) litter -has a high NPK content and, in total, contains 13
essential nutrients for plants.
• Horse manure- is an organic crop fertilizer high in nitrogen.
• Feather meal- is a source of slow-release organic nitrogen.
• Bat Guano- with main ingredient bat manure, Bat Guano promotes the
development of roots and soil life. It also contributes to a healthy growth
and bloom and an excellent smell and taste.
- Bat manure is naturally rich in phosphorus and potassium, guaranteeing
abundant growth.
Bat Guano Poultry (chicken) litter

Horse manure Bone Meal

Feather Meal Fertilizer
 2. Plant-based fertilizer
• Plant-based fertilizers are made from plant residue and
agricultural by-products, such as green manure, molasses,
cottonseed meal, cover crops, kelp, seaweed, and even
compost tea.
• Plant-based fertilizer derived from agricultural leftovers, might
help farm businesses approach more self-sufficiency. These
fertilizing products decompose relatively quickly and supply
crops with many important nutrients.
 Examples:
Compost is a slow-releasing fertilizing product that contains low levels of
nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus and is applied in large quantities.
• Seaweed and kelp fertilizing products contain macronutrients,
micronutrients, and growth hormones.
• Ash is an excellent source of potassium and trace elements, which can
also treat overly acidic soils.
• Peat maintains a healthy soil pH and is rich in macronutrients and
secondary nutrients like magnesium and calcium.
• Corn gluten meal is a slow-release N-fertilizer highly beneficial for
leafy vegetables.
 Compost Seaweed and kelp

Ash Fertilizer Peat Fertilizer

 Advantages:
Enhanced soil quality-The addition of organic compounds to soil improves its
water-holding capacity and makes the soil structure lighter.
• Healthy soil ecosystem-Organic farming fertilizers contain soil organic carbon,
which supports beneficial bacteria responsible for nutrient breakdown and
cycling.
• Supplying nutrients slowly and continuously. Natural plant feed achieves a
long-lasting effect because of its slow release, which enables the nutrients to
reach the crops as they grow.
• Reduced risk of over fertilizing -Natural fertilizing products are used by
plants at slow rates and rarely run off, in contrast to synthetic ones, which tend
to overfeed crops and run off much more often.
 Disadvantages:
Varying nutrient content-The amount of primary nutrients
in natural fertilizing products is not fixed. In terms of
preventing , gradual nutrient release partially offsets this
drawback.
Need for sufficient microorganisms. It may take longer
for bacteria to reproduce and decompose organic substances
in soil with a low microbial population.
• Slow effect on plants. The effect of any natural fertilizer
on plant growth is gradual because of its slow release. At
the same time, you’ll only need to apply organic-based
plant feed once to last for quite some time.
Examples of crop that using
organic fertilizers
 Examples:
• Lettuce
• kale
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• peppers
• Potatoes
 2. Inorganic Fertilizers
• Inorganic fertilizer- include various mineral salts, usually including
nitrate, phosphate, and potash, which contribute nitrogen, potassium and
phosphorous.
• A synthetic chemical that provides plants with nutrients like nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium.
• Inorganic fertilizers are minerals that have been manufactured or mined,
whereas organic fertilizers are of biological origin.
• Inorganic, or synthetic, fertilizers are chemical substances manufactured
from natural-origin elements.
 Examples:
• Nitrogen (N) Fertilizer- are especially useful in the
middle phases of a plant’s life cycle, when the plant needs
the most support to keep growing and leafing out.
• Phosphorus (P) Fertilizer – serves to reinforce roots and
stems, is crucial at all stages of the plant’s growth cycle.
• - The phosphorus type of fertilizer also boosts reproductive
success, including flowering, seed production, and fruit set.
• Potassium (K) Fertilizer- Potassium-based fertilizer will
promote robust root development in your plants. This type
of synthetic fertilizer can serve as a buffer for your plants if
they are deficient in other nutrients.
Examples of Nitrogen type of Fertilizers
• Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃): A salt of ammonia and nitric acid, a
common fertilizer containing both ammonium and nitrate forms of
nitrogen, ensuring a readily available supply for plants.
• Ammonium Sulfate ((NH₄)₂SO₄): Another widely used fertilizer,
provides both nitrogen and sulfur, which is also beneficial for plant
growth.
• Anhydrous Ammonia (NH₃): A concentrated form of nitrogen, often
applied directly into the soil as a liquid or gas, and is a cost-effective
nitrogen source.
Examples of phosphorus fertilizers
Superphosphate Fertilizers: A type of phosphate fertilizer
produced by treating phosphate rock with phosphoric acid.
Ammonium Phosphate: Widely used as a source of both
nitrogen and phosphorus.
• Phosphoric Acid: Used in the production of other phosphate
fertilizers and can be applied directly as a foliar spray or in
fertigation systems.
Superphosphate Fertilizers
Examples of potassium fertilizers
Potassium chloride :The most widely used potassium fertilizer because
it’s relatively inexpensive and contains a lot of potassium.
Potassium sulfate: Also known as sulfate of potash, this fertilizer
provides potassium and sulfur to plants
• Potash : A mixture of potassium minerals that is soluble in water
 Examples of crops using inorganic
Fertilizers
• Rice,
• wheat,
• lettuce
• pechay
• carrots
• tomatoes
• cucumbers
• Potatoes
Advantages:
Fast-acting: Dissolve quickly in water, providing
nutrients immediately to plants
Higher nutrient levels: Contain more nutrients than
organic fertilizers
• Improve plant growth: Can help struggling plants or
stimulate rapid growth in crops .
• Customizable Formulations: allow for precise
tailoring of nutrient compositions to match the specific
needs of different crops, soil types, and growing
conditions, enabling optimized nutrient management.
 Disadvantages:
Soil Acidification: Some inorganic fertilizers can increase soil
acidity, affecting nutrient availability and plant growth.
High Costs: inorganic fertilizers can be expensive, particularly for
smallholder farmers who may not have access to reliable and
affordable supplies.
Contamination of Food: the presence of chemical residues in
crops can lead to health problems for consumers who eat those
crops.
• Soil Degradation: Overuse of inorganic fertilizers can disrupt the
natural balance of soil nutrients, leading to reduced soil fertility,
organic matter loss, and increased susceptibility to erosion.
Right time and stage of
applying Fertilizers
 Right time in applying
Morning/Late Afternoon: Apply fertilizer in the
morning or late afternoon to avoid excessive heat and
evaporation.
• Before Rain/Watering: Applying fertilizer before rain
or watering helps ensure nutrients are absorbed by the
plant roots.
 RIGHT STAGES IN APPLYING:
Early Growth: Apply a “starter fertilizer” or basal dressing (e.g., NPK)
before or during planting to provide essential nutrients for young plants.
During Active Growth: Apply fertilizers throughout the growing season
to meet the plant’s ongoing nutrient needs.
Split Applications: For crops with high nutrient demands or where
nutrients are easily lost, split applications (e.g., maize) are recommended.
• Fruiting/Flowering: Apply fertilizers during fruit set and/or flower
development as needed.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
ORGANIC AND INORGANIC
FERTILIZERS
• Organic fertilizers improve soil structure and fertility
over time but release nutrients slowly, making them
less suitable for quick growth. While, inorganic
fertilizers provide immediate nutrients and are
chemically precise but can harm long-term soil health.
METHODS OF APPLYING
FERTILIZER
Broadcasting: Spreading fertilizer evenly over the soil
surface.
Band Placement: Applying fertilizer in bands or rows,
either near the seed rows or the root zone.
Foliar Application: Applying nutrients directly to
plant leaves through spraying or misting.
• Fertigation: Applying fertilizer through the irrigation
system.
 Broadcasting Band Placement

Foliar Application Fertigation

 BENEFITS OF
APPLYING FERTILIZER
• Boosting food production: Fertilizers help increase crop yields
per unit of land, allowing farmers to produce more food without
needing to expand into new areas, thereby supporting efforts to
prevent deforestation.
• Supporting sustainability: By maintaining soil fertility over
time, fertilizers ensure that soils remain productive and healthy,
supporting long-term agricultural sustainability.
• Improving profitability: By applying fertilizers using the 4R
approach (right source, right rate, right time, and right place),
farmers can maximize crop growth while minimizing waste.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!!
 Group members:
• BORROMEO, MONALIZA C.
• DAYDAY, CYRIEL FAITH L.
• ESCOLANO, JOHN LLOYD B.
• GALON, JOHN LLOYD E.
• GARCESTO, SHIELA MAE P.
• LABANERO JONALYN G.
• PORRAS, AMY