Formulations, Application Rates and Application Equipment Fertilizers Formulations, Application Rates and Application Equipment Fertilizers

Fertilizers Definition – Any material containing one or more of the essential nutrients that are added to the soil or applied to plant foliage for the purpose of supplementing the plant nutrient supply can be called a fertilizer. Definition – Any material containing one or more of the essential nutrients that are added to the soil or applied to plant foliage for the purpose of supplementing the plant nutrient supply can be called a fertilizer.

N – P – K Typical fertilizers generally contain one, two or all three of the macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and/or potassium (K) The order is always N – P – K N – P – K Typical fertilizers generally contain one, two or all three of the macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and/or potassium (K) The order on a fertilizer label is always N – P – K

Types of Fertilizer Fertilizers can be divided into 3 categories Simple fertilizers Complex fertilizers Complete fertilizers Types of Fertilizer Fertilizers are divided into 3 main categories Simple fertilizers, complex fertilizers and balanced fertilizers

Simple Fertilizers Simple fertilizers contain only a single macro-nutrient N, P, or K Ex. 21-0-0 or 0-45-0 Simple Fertilizers Simple fertilizers contain only single nutrient Ex. A nitrogen fertilizer containing ammonium sulfate with an analysis of 21-0-0 or perhaps a super phosphate fertilizer that contains only phosphorous and possesses an analysis of 0-45-0

Complex Fertilizers Complex fertilizers contain two or more of the macro-nutrients Ex. 0-45-30 or 26-5-3 Complex Fertilizers Complex fertilizers contain two or more of the macro-nutrients Ex. A fertilizer with a label analysis of 0-45-30 or 26-5-3

Complete Fertilizers Complete fertilizers contain all 3 macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous, (P) and potassium (K) Ex. 5-20-10 or 6-20-20 Complete Fertilizers Complete fertilizers contain all 3 macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous, (P) and potassium (K) Ex. A starter fertilizer with an analysis of 5-20-10 or 6-20-20

Balanced Fertilizers Balanced fertilizers contain the same amounts or relatively similar amounts of the macro-nutrients Balanced Fertilizers Balanced fertilizers contain the same amounts or relatively similar amounts of macro-nutrients; for instance, 10-10-10 or 6-10-10 N-P-K respectively

Fertilizer Analysis (Grade) The numbers associated with the N-P-K (ex. 20-20-20 ) on a fertilizer label are referred to as the fertilizer analysis or grade The numbers indicate a percentage amount of those macro-nutrients in the product Fertilizer Analysis or Grade The numbers associated with the N-P-K (ex. 20-20-20 ) on a fertilizer label are referred to as the fertilizer analysis or grade The numbers indicate a percentage amount of those macro-nutrients in the product

Fertilizer Analysis Ex. - For a “triple 20” fertilizer, or a fertilizer with a 20-20-20 analysis on a fertilizer label The product contains: 20% nitrogen (N) 20% phosphate (P2O5) 20% potassium oxide (K2O) Fertilizer Analysis For instance, a “triple 20” fertilizer, or a fertilizer with a 20-20-20 analysis on a fertilizer The label indicates that the product contains: 20% nitrogen (N)\ 20% phosphate (P2O5) 20% potassium oxide (K2O)

The Label The Label

The Label The Label

Determining the Amount of Nitrogen For a fertilizer analysis of 20-20-20 The first 20 indicates the percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer The percent of nitrogen is an “actual” amount This fertilizer contains 20% actual nitrogen In this case, the 20 means that there are 20 pounds of actual nitrogen per 100 pounds of fertilizer Determining the Amount of Nitrogen For an analysis of 20-20-20 The first number 20 indicates the percentage of nitrogen in the bag The percent of nitrogen is a measure of an “actual” amount of nitrogen in a fertilizer This fertilizer contains 20% actual nitrogen In this case, the 20 means that there is in fact 20 pounds of actual nitrogen per 100 pounds of fertilizer or 20%

Nitrogen Example If: A 100 lb bag of fertilizer contains a label analysis of 20-20-20 How much actual nitrogen is in the bag? The answer: 20% = 0.20 so 20% of 100 lbs = 0.20 x 100 = 20 lbs actual N There is 20% actual nitrogen in the bag or 20% of the 100 lbs. bag is actual nitrogen Nitrogen Example If: A 100 lb bag of fertilizer contains a label analysis of 20-20-20 How much actual nitrogen is in the bag? The answer: 20% = 0.20 so 20% of 20 lbs = 0.20 x 20 = 4 lbs actual N There is 20% actual nitrogen in the bag or 20% of the 20 lbs. bag is actual nitrogen

Nitrogen Example    For a 100 lbs bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer There are 20 pounds of actual nitrogen in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer pounds of actual N    percentage of N amount of fertilizer Nitrogen Example For a 20 lbs bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer .20 x 20 = 4 There are 4 pounds of actual nitrogen in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer

Determining the Amount of Phosphorous For a fertilizer analysis of 20-20-20 The second 20 indicates the percentage of phosphate in the fertilizer The percent of phosphate is not an “actual” amount phosphorous This fertilizer contains 20% phosphate (P2O5) Determining the Amount of Phosphorous For an analysis of 20-20-20 The second 20 indicates the percentage of phosphate in the fertilizer The percent of phosphate is not an “actual” amount of phosphorous This fertilizer contains 20% phosphate (P2O5) In this case, the 20 does not means that there is 20 pounds of actual phosphorous per 100 pounds of fertilizer We have to calculate the actual amount of actual phosphorous in the bag

Determining the Amount of Phosphorous In this case, the 20 does not mean that there are 20 pounds of actual phosphorous per 100 pounds of fertilizer Using a conversion factor we have to calculate the actual amount The conversion factor is 0.43 Determining the Amount of Phosphorous In this case, the 20 does not mean that there are 20 pounds of actual phosphorous per 100 pounds of fertilizer Using a conversion factor we have to calculate the actual amount The conversion factor is 0.43

Phosphorous Example As before, using the “triple 20” sample We know there is 20% phosphate (P2O5) in the bag of fertilizer To determine the amount of actual phosphorous …. Multiply the percentage of (P2O5) x the conversion factor x the bag weight Phosphorous Example As before, using the “triple 20” sample We know there is 20% phosphate (P2O5) in the bag of fertilizer To determine the amount of actual phosphorous …. Multiply the percentage of (P2O5) x the conversion factor x the bag weight

Phosphorous Example     For a 100 lbs bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer .20 x .43 x 100 = 8.6 There are 8.6 pounds of actual phosphorus in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer conversion factor  pounds of actual P    percentage of P2O5 amount of fertilizer Phosphorous Example For a 100 lbs bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer .20 x .43 x 100 = 8.6 There are 8.6 pounds of actual phosphorus in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer

Determining the Amount of Potassium For a fertilizer analysis of 20-20-20 The third 20 indicates the percentage of potassium oxide in the fertilizer The percent of potassium oxide is not an “actual” amount of potassium This fertilizer contains 20% potassium oxide (K2O) Determining the Amount of Potassium The second 20 indicates the percentage of potassium oxide in the fertilizer The percent of potassium is not an “actual” amount of potassium This fertilizer contains 20% potassium oxide (K2O)

Determining the Amount of Potassium In this case, the 20 does not mean that there are 20 pounds of actual potassium per 100 pounds of fertilizer Using a conversion factor we have to calculate the actual amount The conversion factor is 0.83 Determining the Amount of Potassium In this case, the 20 does not mean that there are 20 pounds of actual potassium per 100 pounds of fertilizer Using a conversion factor we have to calculate the actual amount The conversion factor is 0.83

Potassium Example As before, using the “triple 20” sample We know there is 20% potassium oxide (K2O) in the bag of fertilizer To determine the amount of actual potassium …. Multiply the percentage of (K2O) x the conversion factor x the bag weight Potassium Example As before, using the “triple 20” sample We know there is 20% potassium oxide (K2O) in the bag of fertilizer To determine the amount of actual potassium …. Multiply the percentage of (K2O) x the conversion factor x the bag weight

Potassium Example     For a 100 lbs bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer .20 x .83 x 100 = 16.6 There are 16.6 pounds of actual potassium in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer conversion factor  pounds of actual K    percentage of K2O amount of fertilizer Potassium Example For a 100 lbs bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer .20 x .83 x 100 = 16.6 There are 16.6 pounds of actual potassium in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer

Application Example Assume we have 4,500 sq. ft. of turf The normal recommendation for turf fertilizer applications is between 1.0 lbs and 1.5 lbs actual N per 1,000 square feet Application Example Assume we have 4,500 sq. ft. of turf The normal recommendation for turf fertilizer applications is between 1.0 lbs and 1.5 lbs actual N per 1,000 square feet We will be using a fertilizer with an analysis of 26-5-3 How much fertilizer will we need to cover the given 4,500 sq. ft. of turf area?

Lbs. of Fertilizer Required Application Example We will be using a fertilizer with an analysis of 26-5-3 How much fertilizer will we need to cover the given 4,500 sq. ft. of turf area? The calculation: Application Example We will be using a fertilizer with an analysis of 26-5-3 The application rate will be 1 lb actual N per 1,000 sq. ft. How much fertilizer will we need to cover the given 4,500 sq. ft. of turf area? Area to be Fertilized (sq. ft.) 1,000 sq. ft. Lbs. of Fertilizer Required 100% Fertilizer % Actual N X Application Rate X =

17.1 Lbs. of Fertilizer Required Application Example To determine the amount of fertilizer required based on nitrogen requirements 17.1 Lbs. of Fertilizer Required 100% Fertilizer .26Actual N X 1 lbs N per 1,000 sq. ft. X 4,500 sq. ft. = Application Example To determine the amount of fertilizer required based on nitrogen requirements ___1___ .26 N X 1 lb N 1,000 sq. ft. X 4,500 sq. ft. = 17.1 Lbs. of Fertilizer

How Much Phosphorous?     .05 x .43 x 17.1 = .37 Using the previous information, how much actual phosphorous will be applied to the same 4,500 sq. ft. area? 0.37 pounds of actual phosphorous will be applied to the 4,500 sq. ft. area conversion factor pounds of actual P   .05 x .43 x 17.1 = .37 How Much Phosphorous?   percentage of P2O5 amount of fertilizer

How Much Potassium?     Using the previous information, how much actual potassium will be applied to the same 4,500 sq. ft. area? 0.43 pounds of actual potassium will be applied to the 4,500 sq. ft. area conversion factor pounds of actual K   .03 x .83 x 17.1 = .43 How Much Potassium?   percentage of K2O amount of fertilizer

Fertilizer Application Equipment There are several methods commonly used to apply various forms of fertilizers Some of the more common application equipment include: Drop spreaders Rotary spreaders Hose-end sprayers Tank sprayers There are also several forms of equipment used to spread or spray fertilizers that can be attached to and or towed behind vehicles Fertilizer Application Equipment There are several methods commonly used to apply various forms of fertilizers Some of the more common application equipment include: Drop spreaders Rotary spreaders Hose-end sprayers Tank sprayers There are also several forms of equipment used to spread or spray fertilizers that can be attached to and or towed behind vehicles

Drop Spreaders Drop Spreaders

Broadcast Spreaders Broadcast Spreaders

Broadcast Spreaders Broadcast Spreaders

Tank Sprayers Tank sprayers operate using compressed air or in some cases compressed liquids Tank Sprayers Tank sprayers operate using compressed air or in some cases compressed liquids

Tank Sprayers Large tank sprayers use a pump to create pressure

Backpack Sprayers Backpack sprayers also used pressure to apply chemicals Backpack Sprayers

Hose-End Sprayers Hose-end sprayers apply pesticides or fertilizers using a siphon action Hose-End Sprayers Hose-end sprayers apply pesticides or fertilizers using a siphon action

In-Line Applicators In-line applicators also use a siphon action