Plant Science Plant Nutrition Topic: Sources of Plant nutrients and Forms. (2032) Brian Sobecki

Evaluating Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers. Organics –Materials related to, produced with or based on the use of fertilizer or plant or animal origin without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. –Some of these include Natural organics –Straw (cereals, beans) –Green manures (clover, vetch, peas) –High Calcium Lime –Forest Products ( bark and sawdust, humus)

Organics Major Animal Materials –Bloodmeal –Hoof and Horn –Manure Synthetic Organics –Urea –Sulfur coated Urea –Urea-formaldehyde –Biuret

Organics Processed organics: –Sewage sludge –Processed crop residues

Benefits of Organics –Soil tillage improved. –Water Retention improved. –Temperature increased. ( beneficial biological action) –Some of the newer processed organics are granulated for easier application. –Increased worm population ( increases aeration)

Inorganics –Materials produced by or composed of matter other than plant or animal. Benefits of inorganics: –Meets consumer desires –Generally lower in cost per unit of plant food. –Generally less material to handle because of higher analysis.

Inorganics: Benefits cont. –Consistent and higher Analysis –Ease of handling

Nitrogen Sources Two categories based on availability in the soil: –Quickly available: Inorganic salts that are readily soluble in water. Produced from raw materials such as Natural Gas and Minerals Examples: Ammonium Sulfate, Ammonium Nitrate, and Urea

Nitrogen Sources –Slowly Available: Do not go readily into solution in water. Will release slowly in time. Example: Urea Formaldehyde

Phosphorus Sources The most widely used source of phosphorus is rock Phosphate. –Mined, ground and then treated with different acids to create two different phosphate groups. Superphosphate: Which is treated with sulfuric acid. Triple SuperPhosphate: Which is treated with phosphoric acid.

Phosphorus Sources Other sources: Ammonium phosphate: Organic Phosphorus sources and slag. Slag - byproduct from the making of steel.

Potassium Sources Potassium Chloride or Muriate of Potash: –Processed from mined potassium salts. Sulfate of Potash: –Potassium chloride treated with sulfuric acid. Potassium Nitrate: –Potassium Chloride treated with Nitric Acid

Fertilizers Forms of Nutrients: –Liquid –Solid Fertilizer Labels –Information included on fertilizer labels: Net weight Brand and Grade

Fertilizers Guaranteed analysis giving the minimum percentage of each nutrient. –Usually Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are given in this way: »N: P: K »N = actual % of nitrogen in fertilizer »P = Percent of (P2O5) »K = Percent (K2O)

Fertilizers To get the actual amounts of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in the fertilizer follow these rules: –To get the actual amount of Nitrogen Multiply the percent of N in the fertilizer by the total amount of fertilizer. –To get the total amount of Phosphors take the percent of P2O5 multiply by the total amount of fertilizer then multiply that by.44 to get the total amount of Phosphorus. –To get the total amount of Potassium take the percent of K2O time the total amount of fertilizer then multiply by.83 to get the total amount of potassium.