Fertilizer (or fertiliser) is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that

is added to soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Fertilizer adds nutrients and texture to soil that needs to provide nutrients to trees, vegetables, herbs, shrubs and flowers. There are several ways to categorize fertilizer, and the most basic is whether it is organic or inorganic. It also can be classified according to its ingredients, whether it is solid or liquid and by its particular actions, such as slow-release fertilizers that dissolve and release their nutrients slowly. The choice of fertilizer that is used typically depends on the nature of the soil, such as whether it is acidic or alkaline; sandy, clay or rocky; and weak or rich. Organic Organic fertilizer is all natural and includes things such as bat guano, compost, peat moss, wood ash and manure. These are general soil amendments. They don't burn or harm plants, and they can have long-term positive effects on the soil without damaging groundwater. Organic fertilizer, however, generally has lower nutrient concentrations than inorganic fertilizers. Inorganic Inorganic fertilizer is man-made and typically comes as a powder, pellets, granules or a liquid. Examples of inorganic fertilizers are chemical additives that are designed for plants to directly absorb, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These three essential elemental nutrients should naturally occur in healthy soil, but some plants require more of them. Other chemicals that might be included in inorganic fertilizers include calcium, sulfur, iron, zinc and magnesium. Types of Fertilizers Nitrogenous Fertilizers There are mainly four nitrogenous fertilizers. The main raw material used in making nitrogenous fertilizers is ammonia gas. The common examples of nitrogenous fertilizers are a. Urea [CO(NH2)], b. Ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2SO4], c. Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), and d. Sodium nitrate (NaNO3). Suitable fertilizers are added according to the need of the soil, for example, a field with leguminous plants such as pulses need not be given nitrogenous fertilizers. Phosphatic fertilizers Fertilizers containing phosphorus are called phosphatic fertilizers. Some of them are as follows. a Calcium hydrogen phosphate or superphosphate [Ca (H2PO4)2], b Ammonium hydrogen phosphate or ammophos [(NH4)H2PO4], and c Ammonium phosphate [(NH4)3PO4]. Deficiency of phosphorus in the soil causes stunted growth in plants and graying of leaves. Potassium fertilizers Some examples of potassium fertilizers are a Potassium nitrate (KNO3),

b Potassium chloride (KCl) and c Potassium sulphate (K2SO4). Phosphorous-Based Fertilizers Steamed bone meal is probably the most recommended phosphorus based organic fertilizer. This fertilizer works best when applied while planting. Expert gardeners suggest that bone meal in pulverized or a powdered form works best. If you are looking for inorganic phosphorus-based fertilizers, then superphosphates are a good choice for you. You may use single, double, or triple superphosphates according to the need of increasing the phosphoric acid levels in the soil.