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Module: 8

Lecture: 33 Fertilizer

Dr. N. K. Patel

Module: 8
Lecture: 33
FERTILIZER
INTRODUCTION
Fertilizers are the products that improve the levels of the available plant
nutrients and/or the chemical and physical properties of the soil, thereby directly or
indirectly enhancing the growth, yield and quality of the plant. Fertilizers are
compounds used to promote plants growth. They are usually applied either through
the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or uptake through leaves. Fertilizers can be
organic matter or inorganic chemicals or minerals. They can be naturally occurring
compounds such as peat or mineral deposits, or manufactured through natural
processes or chemical processes.
Fertilizers typically provide, the three major plant nutrients (phosphorous,
nitrogen and potassium), the secondary plant nutrients (sulfur, calcium and
magnesium), and sometimes trace elements (or micronutrients) with the role in plant
nutrition: chlorine, boron, manganese, zinc, iron, copper, and molybdenum.

TYPES OF SOIL
a) Virgin Soil
It is the portion of the soil or land in which plants have not grown since long
time. It is always fertile and good crop may be yielded due to elements present in it
have not been used up by the plants as food.
b) Exhausted Soil
It is the soil on which crop and after crop, especially of the same variety has
been raised. The plants keep on absorbing the same elements for the soil and hence
the soil becomes impoverished or an unproductive soil
Factors affecting the fertility of soil are as follows
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other mineral salts
The amount of fixed nitrogen
pH value of the soil

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Module: 8
Lecture: 33 Fertilizer

Dr. N. K. Patel

PLANT NUTRIENTS
Plants require following nutrient elements for their growth
a) Natural nutrients
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are derived from air and water and so these
are called natural nutrients.
b) Primary nutrients
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are consumed in large amounts by the
plants for their growth and so these are called primary nutrients.
c) Secondary nutrient
Calcium, magnesium and sulfur which occur to a limited extent in all soils, are
called secondary nutrients.
d) Micronutrients
Zinc, boron, copper, manganese, chlorine, iron and molybdenum are
required in little amount by the plants and so these are called micro nutrients.
More than sixty elements are found in the composition of various plants.
Among those elements carbon, oxygen and hydrogen make up the principal part of
plant matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium and iron
are utilized in the formation of plant tissues and heighten the growth of plants.
Air provides CO2 as a source of carbon require for photosynthesis while water
provides/transport various mineral to the plants.
Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus containing minerals are principally
important for normal plant life. These elements stimulate processes of metabolism in
the plant cells, growth of the plant and especially its fruits, increase the content of
valuable plant components such as starch of potatoes, sugars of beets, fruits and
berries, proteins of grains and increase resistance to frost, drought and diseases.

FUNCTION OF NUTRIENT
The role of various nutrients in the plant growth is as follows
a) Nitrogen
Nitrogen supplied as nitrate ion or ammonium salt is one of the important
constituent for synthesis of amino acids which are then converted into proteins and
enzymes. Proteins thus formed make part of the protoplasm, while enzymes act as
catalysts for various reactions taking place in the plants. Nitrogen is also a special
constituent of the chlorophyll, without which photosynthesis is not possible. Nitrogen

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Module: 8
Lecture: 33 Fertilizer

Dr. N. K. Patel

makes up 16-18% of the plant protein and constitutes 1-4% of the dry weight of
plants and is required in large amounts of any of the plant nutrients.
Sources of nitrogen
Atmosphere
Organic nitrogen compounds formed in the soil by recurring natural processes
Fertilizers
The natural sources are not sufficient for adequate plant growth and so
artificial nitrogen compounds in the form of fertilizers are added to the soil.
b) Phosphorus
It is required in much lesser amounts than nitrogen. Most soils contain
phosphate in the form of complex calcium phosphate, aluminium and iron
complexes and organic compounds. Such sources are insoluble and so the plants
can make very little use of them.
Phosphates are involved in the respiratory and photosynthetic processes
which provide energy in some of the plants metabolic processes without which the
plant could not live. The need of phosphorus is also necessary for the health of the
plant as it is constituent of nucleic acids, phytins and phospholipids. It is also found in
seeds and fruits. The phosphorus has also been found to contribute to the formation
of the reproductive parts in the early life of the plant.
c) Potassium
It is necessary for healthy growth of plants and cannot be replaced even by
closely related elements as sodium and lithium. In the plant, it either occurs as a part
of the anion of organic acid or as a soluble inorganic salt in the tissues. It contributes
to formation and movement of carbohydrates in plant. Deficiency of potassium
quickly reduces the carbohydrate contents. The potassium content of plants ranges
from about 0.5-2.5% of the dry weight.
d) Magnesium
Magnesium carried out the phosphates which are important for the formation
of phospholipids and in the synthesis of nucleoproteins. Magnesium is also a mineral
constituent of chlorophyll and makes up 2.7% of the weight of chlorophyll.
Deficiency of magnesium is removed by the naturally occurring magnesium salt
present in soil. Dolomitic limestone is used to supplement the natural supply.
e) Calcium
Calcium acts as a plant nutrient and soil amendment to correct soil acidity. It
is found as plant constituent in the cell walls of leaves in the form of calcium
pectate. Calcium is closely associated with the growth of the flowers. The deficiency
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Lecture: 33 Fertilizer

Dr. N. K. Patel

of calcium also prevents normal development of buds and tips. Calcium is also
found in cell sap either in the ionic form or as salts of organic acids. Application of
calcium to the soils corrects the soil's acidity rather than supplying a nutrient.
f) Sulfur
It is present in many proteins in the form of methionine and cystine which
contain 21.5 and 26.7% sulfur respectively. A deficiency of sulfur decreases the plant
growth accompanied by extensive yellowing of green parts. The sulfur needs of the
plants are small and supplied by soil compounds, from industrial gases that distribute
sulfur compounds, or from sulfates supplied in fertilizers.
g) Iron
Iron is used in certain respiratory enzyme systems by plants, mainly, catalyse,
cytochrome and peroxidase. A deficiency of iron causes leaves to turn white and
growth to cease. Iron deficiency is noted in the growth of citrus and in crops such as
soyabeans and peanuts.
h) Boron
It is required in extremely small amounts by plants. Its function is obscure, but
accumulation of carbohydrates and water soluble amino compounds in plants
efficient in boron suggests that boron is of some importance in protein synthesis.
i)

Zinc

It is involved in enzyme systems in the plant, particularly carbonic anhydrase


and carboxylase.
j) Manganese
It is found in active regions of the plant and acts as an oxidising agent for iron.
Deficiencies of manganese usually occur in organic soils and in alkaline or highly
acidic soils.
k) Copper
Copper is associated with some of the plant enzyme systems, such as
polyphenol oxidase and ascorbic acid oxidase. Deficiencies are generally
associated with organic soils.
l)

Chlorine

It is the most recent addition to the essential nutrient list. It has been observed
that the deficiency of chlorine can cause wilt chlorosis (yellowing of green plants)
and necrosis. Chlorine in small amounts also stimulates growth of crops like barley,
alfalfa and tobacco.

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Module: 8
Lecture: 33 Fertilizer

Dr. N. K. Patel

m) Molybdenum
It is associated with the functioning of one or more of the plant enzyme
systems, especially nitrate reducing enzymes.
n) Non-Essential Elements
Certain non-essential elements, such as sodium, silicon, aluminium etc. are
also found in plants. No evidence has yet been found that meets any of the
requirements for essentiality.

NEED OF FERTILIZER
It can be defined as the quantity of additional nutrients required by a
particular crop to increase its growth to the optimal level in a given soil. After
repeated cultivation the soil reached to a stage where it becomes less productive, if
supply of the above nutrients is not provided. Thus, in order to make up this
deficiency, certain elements in the form of their compounds have to the added to
the soil to make it reproductive. These substances are known as fertilizers.
Fertilizing the land is essential due to following reason
Provide nutrient essential for growth and better yield.
Maintain the pH of the soil in the vicinity of 7-8 to facilitate optimum growth
Provide food supplement to the plants

CLASSIFICATION
Classifications of fertilizer are as under
1. Based on their chemical composition
Organic products: Produced out of wastes of animal husbandry (stable
manure, slurry manure, etc.), plant decomposition products (compost, peat,
etc.), or products from waste treatment (composted garbage, sewage
sludge, etc.).
Mineral fertilizers: Contains inorganic or synthetically produced organic
compounds.
Synthetic soil conditioners: Its main function is to improve the physical
properties of the soil.
2. Based on their nutrient content
Micronutrient fertilizers: Containing nutrients required in small quantities by
plants.
Straight fertilizers: Containing one primary nutrient, and
Compound fertilizer: Also known as complex or multi-nutrient fertilizers. It
contains several primary nutrients and sometimes micronutrients.

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3. Based on the physical state


Solid fertilizer: Packed in bags
Liquid fertilizers: Packed in containers
4. Based on the source
Fertilizers can be obtained from natural and artificial sources
a) Natural organic fertilizers
Animal matter: Powdered dry fish and red dry blood from the slaughter house
are important nitrogenous fertilizers.
Farm yard manures: Typical farmyard manure consists of cow dung, sheep
dung and human excretions.
Guano: Guano is a classic example of complete fertilizer and it is a mixture of
bird 's excrement, fish refuge and fish hones.
Plant matter: Oil cakes from cotton seed meal; linseed meal and caster cake
belong to this class and contain 7%, 5.5% and 6% of nitrogen respectively.
b) Natural inorganic fertilizers
Rock Phosphates: Finely divided rock phosphate, although insoluble in water,
weathers rapidly and may be used directly. Bone metal is another source
which supplies phosphorus but phosphorus is exclusively supplied by the
artificial sources.
Chile Saltpetre: Chilean deposits would not last for more than 250 years, even
at present about 83% of the world's requirements of NaNO3 come from
artificial sources.
Potassium Salts: Natural potassium sources are wood ash (containing 5-6%
potash) and waste materials of sugar beet crops.
These natural organic and inorganic fertilizers are not sufficient to
make the soil productive, as they can no wholly meet the demand. Hence
fertilizers are made artificially.
c) Artificial fertilizers
One of the major problems for modern fertilizer industry is to determine
the most effective and economical materials for supplying the nutrients. These
may be developed under three groups, according to the nature of the
element.
Phosphorus fertilizer
Nitrogenous fertilizer
Potassium fertilizer

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Nitrogen is usually supplied either in the nitrate or in the ammonical form. For
most agricultural situations it makes little difference which form is used, because the
ammonical form is converted rapidly to nitrates in the soil by the action of nitrifying
bacteria. In special cases, e.g., in case of low soil temperature, nitrification may be
delayed: For example, urea requires a little longer time to reach nitrate stage,
because it must first hydrolyze to the ammonical form.
Phosphates are supplied in calcium phosphate or ammonium phosphate
forms to the plant. Dicalcium phosphate is the principal phosphate constituent in
nitric phosphate and ammoniated super phosphate.
Potash as source of potassium is available in natural deposits in low cost. So
selection of potassium fertilizer is not a great problem compare to nitrogen and
phosphorous fertilizers.
Sulfur is supplied as ammonium sulfate and potassium sulfate, and in the
calcium sulfate found in one form of superphosphate. Micronutrients are usually
supplied as soluble sulfate
Straight and mixed fertilizers
Straight fertilizers are sometimes used in special situations, like giving the plant
an additional supply of nitrogen after it is used up, thereby reducing leaching loss
and ensuring an adequate supply of nitrogen throughout the growth period. Potash
is often added to pastures as a straight material. Phosphate is also applied straight,
but too much lesser extent than in mixed fertilizers. The amount of nitrogen in straight
form is more than six times as that of phosphate or potash.
More than one nutrient is required for most of crops application. The farmer
could purchase single nutrient materials and apply them separately or mix them
together before application. Mixed fertilizers are prepared by mixing appropriate
amounts of ammonium salts, superphosphate and potassium salts.
Granulation
Prior 1920, fertilizer was generally finely divided, with some lumps formed due to
high moisture contents of the product. It became more and more difficult to
produce fertilizers of acceptable physical properties for ammonium nitrate, urea
and ammonium phosphates. So, various methods were developed to increase the
particle size of such fertilizers, in order to reduce moisture absorption by reducing
surface area and to minimize caking by reducing the number of contact points
between the particles. In 1935, Nitrophoska first prepared a multi-nutrient fertilizer in
granular form containing a granulated mixture of ammonium nitrate, diammonium
phosphate and potassium chloride. After that the development of products range
from semi-granular mixed fertilizers to granular and to urea and ammonium nitrate
prills have been carried out.
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Dr. N. K. Patel

Ideal granular fertilizers have homogeneous, spherical particles in the size range
of 10-14mesh. Modern granular fertilizers are satisfactory products which also reduce
fertilizer cost by the use of high analysis, hygroscopic materials. Farmers now also
demand granular fertilizer because of its attractive appearance, freedom from dust
and ease of handling.
Bulk blending
In the early 1950's most of the emphasis was on the granulation of mixed
fertilizers of ammoniated superphosphate types. Some granulation of fertilizers based
on ammonium phosphate was also carried out, often with ammonium sulfate and
potassium chloride. In 1955, another method known as bulk blending was
introduced for making granular mixed fertilizers. This is the simple mechanical mixing
of high analysis, granular materials giving a product of high analysis and good
physical properties. Materials used in this technique are granular ammonium sulfate
or ammonium nitrate, triple superphosphate or ammonium phosphate and
potassium chloride.
Requisite as fertilizer
The chief requisites of a fertilizer are

Must be soluble in water


The element present in the compound must be easily available to the plant
Should be cheap
Should not be toxic to plant
Should be stable for long time
Should maintain the pH of the soil in the vicinity of 7 to 8.

The most important factor of fertilizers is the movement of water in the soil.
Application of lime opens the pores of the soil and enables a free circulation of
water.
Fertilizer ratio
Commercial fertilizer has specific ratio of nutrients, or fertilizer ratio or plant
food ratio. It is the ratio of the number of fertilizer units in a given mass of fertilizer
expressed in the order N, P and K. Thus, it is the ratio of two or more nutrient
percentages to one another. For instance, a fertilizer with 5-10-15 grade has 1-2-3
ratio, whereas a fertilizer with 10-20-20 grade has 1-2-2 ratio. Fertilizer ratio is also
defined as the relative proportion of primary nutrients in a fertilizer grade divided by
the highest common denominator for the grade. For example, the grade 16-12-20
has a ratio of 4-3-5 of N, P and K, respectively.

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Fertilizer benefits
The fertilizer benefits to the human environment are as follows.
a) Farming efficiency improvement
The farmer's income can be increased by the application of fertilizers. If the
use of economic optimum levels of fertilizer is consistent, negative consequences
are minimized.
b) Improvement of soil quality with adequate fertilization
The aggregating action from enhanced root proliferation and a greater
amount of decaying residues have reportedly made the soil more friable, tillable
and water retentive.
c) Crop quality improvement
The mineral, protein and vitamin contents of crops can be improved by
balanced fertilization.
d) Water conservation
Plants well nourished by fertilizers, use water efficiently through their
expanded root system, thereby reducing water evaporation losses and conserving
this natural resource.
Efficient fertilizer use is the key to sustained productivity. A well-fertilized soil
gives a dense canopy, which protects the soil from erosion, absorbs more carbon
dioxide and gives out more oxygen. Future agricultural strategies should aim at
minimizing leaching, erosion, volatilization losses of chemical fertilizers and organic
manures, and prevention of over fertilization.

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