Types and Forms of Fertilizers

Before plant nutrients were scientifically identified, farmers knew that some materials helps plants to grow well . Early farmers probably noticed the cluster growth of grass around animal droppings and began using them to raise better crops. Lime, ashes, dead fish, ground bones, and bird and bat guano have all been used in ancient times. Even human waste (night soil) has been an important fertilizer in some cultures.

Fertilizer is material applied to soil or plants to supply essential elements. Some states legally define minimum requirements for a material to be sold as fertilizer.

Fertilizers be grouped into four categories—
1. Mineral
2. Organic
3. Synthetic organic
4. Inorganic

Mineral fertilizers are ground rocks material containing nutrients. For example - Dolomitic lime is a fine source of calcium and magnesium. Most minerals have low nutrient content and dissolve very slowly, so their usefulness as fertilizers is limited.

Organic fertilizers are organic materials such as blood meal which contain nutrients. Many can be considered slow-release fertilizers because nutrients are released slowly over the growing season as the organic matter decays by the time.

Synthetic organic fertilizers are manufactured by industry but are chemically organic (contain carbon and hydrogen). Urea is readily available to plants but others mostly derivatives of urea which are made to be slow release. Nutrient content is generally high compared to mineral or natural organic fertilizers.

Inorganic fertilizers are mined and processed or manufactured and are chemically inorganic. Most dissolve quickly in the soil for rapid growth response, initially joining the nutrient pool in the soil solution.

Fertilizers are provided or applied in a number of forms to give several choices to farmers for application methods according to crops .

The forms can be divided into four main groups:
1. Pressurized liquids
2. Fluids
3. Dry Fertilizers
4. Slow-release Fertilizers.

Anhydrous ammonia is a pressurized liquid, it is injected into the soil. The ammonia dissolves in soil water to become ammonium ions.

Fluid fertilizers are also liquid, but they are not under pressure. The most common fluid fertilizers are solutions.

Dry fertilizers are applied to soil, where they dissolve quickly in soil water to release nutrients.
Dry fertilizers are available in three types :-
Pulverized fertilizers are made by crushing fertilizer materials into a powder. They are dusty that’s why are not the preferred form.

Granules are much easier to use. It has large, more evenly sized grains. Granules spread evenly and easily, with much less dust.

Pills are smooth, round, and dust free and a Slow-release fertilizers and dry also. The nutrients they contain dissolve into the soil solution slowly about a period of several weeks up to a few months.

Slow-release fertilizers are too costly for common agricultural use, but they are widely used in horticulture; for example, as turf fertilizers.

They work best if incorporated into the soil, rather than left lying on top of the soil or potting mix. While cost is a major drawback sometimes.

Advantages of Slow-release fertilizers:
1. A reduced need for repeat applications
2. Delivery of nutrients at a optimum rate so that plants can use them.
3. Limiting adverse effects on the environment.
4. Reduced chance of fertilizer burn.

Fertilizer are manufactured with different release rates, but practically they are mainly depends on the temperature, moisture, and biological activity they are exposed to, and tend to release nutrients more rapidly at first.

Many organic nitrogen sources are too expensive for farmers and are used primarily by home gardeners. However, some sources, such as manure, continue to be used by many farmers. The 1st commercial nitrogen fertilizer was actually organic But today fertilizer companies manufacture most nitrogen carriers from ammonia produced by the Haber-Bosch process.

Anhydrous ammonia, consists of 82 % nitrogen, results directly from the Haber-Bosch process. The word anhydrous means “without water.” Anhydrous ammonia is the cheapest, strongest form of nitrogen.

Ammonium nitrate, containing 33 % nitrogen it is half ammonium nitrogen and half nitrate.

Ammonium sulfate, consisting of 21 % nitrogen, also contains sulfur. It is a dry fertilizer. Ammonium sulfate is very acidic in nature and good for acid-loving plants.

Nitrate of soda (sodium nitrate, 16 % nitrogen) is commonly used on tobacco. Unlike most other nitrogen sources, it raises soil pH.

Urea, containing 46 % nitrogen, is a synthetic organic material. In soil, urea rapidly breaks down to ammonium nitrogen. It is a popular dry fertilizer and the most widely used nitrogen fertilizer. It is also used to make fluid fertilizer.

Urea-formaldehyde (UF), isobutyl diene urea (IBDU), and sulfur-coated urea (SCU) are slow-release synthetic organic materials. These are used primarily to fertilize turf grass and potted plants. They are too costly for general agriculture use.

Phosphorus fertilizers are obtained from surface mining of rock phosphate.

The ground rock can be applied directly to the soil, but is usually treated with acid to break down the apatite into simpler compounds.

Bone meal and manure are both organic sources of phosphate.
Bone meal is made by grinding bones that are a by-product of the meat-packing industry. Homeowners use bone meal as a phosphate and calcium fertilizer.

Superphosphate contains 20 % of phosphate and results from the reaction of rock phosphate with sulfuric acid.

Triple superphosphate composed of 46 % phosphate, is also treated rock phosphate. Triple superphosphate is a popular fertilizer.

Potash is mostly mined in deep mines from deposits which laid down in ancient times of geologic period by evaporating shallow seas. While we speak of potassium as a plant nutrient, when referring to fertilizers the term potash is commonly used.

Muriate of potash (potassium chloride), containing 60 % potash and accounts for 97 % of all potassium fertilization.

Sulfate of potash (potassium sulfate) contains 49 % potash and it is used to a minor extent in dry fertilizers for crops sensitive to chlorine.

Nitrate of potash (potassium nitrate) contains 13 % nitrogen and 44 % potash. It is a common fertilizer for container plants.

Sulfate of potash-magnesia consists of :- 22 % potash, 11 % magnesium, and 22 % sulfur.

Wood ashes and manure are also good potash sources.

Granite meal is a rock powder used by some growers who prefer not to use chemical fertilizers.

In conclusion, fertilizer is a substance used to supply essential elements to crops. Fertilizers may be finely ground minerals, natural or synthetic organic materials, or inorganic chemicals made by industry.

- TAPSENDRA PATEL

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