Fertilizer Application

METHODS OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION
The different methods of fertilizer application are as follows:

a) Broadcasting
1. It refers to spreading fertilizers uniformly all over the field.
2. Suitable for crops with dense stand, the plant roots permeate the whole volume of the soil, large doses of fertilizers are
applied and insoluble phosphatic fertilizers such as rock phosphate are used.
Broadcasting of fertilizers is of two types.
i) Broadcasting at sowing or panting !Basa appication)
The main obectives of broadcasting the fertilizers at sowing time are to uniformly distribute the fertilizer over the entire field and to
mi! it with soil.
ii) Top dr"ssing
It is the broadcasting of fertilizers particularly nitrogenous fertilizers in closely sown crops like paddy and wheat, with the obective of
supplying nitrogen in readily available form to growing plants.
Disad#antag"s o$ %roadcasting
The main disadvantages of application of fertilizers through broadcasting are:
i" #utrients cannot be fully utilized by plant roots as they move laterally over long distances.
ii" The weed growth is stimulated all over the field.
iii" #utrients are fi!ed in the soil as they come in contact with a large mass of soil.
b) Placement
1. It refers to the placement of fertilizers in soil at a specific place with or without reference to the position of the seed.
2. $lacement of fertilizers is normally recommended when the %uantity of fertilizers to apply is small, development of the root
system is poor, soil have a low level of fertility and to apply phosphatic and potassic fertilizer.
The most common methods of placement are as follows:
i) Po&g' so" pac"("nt
1. In this method, fertilizer is placed at the bottom of the plough furrow in a continuous band during the process of ploughing.
2. &very band is covered as the ne!t furrow is turned.
3. This method is suitable for areas where soil becomes %uite dry upto few cm below the soil surface and soils having a
heavy clay pan ust below the plough sole layer.
ii) D""p pac"("nt
It is the placement of ammoniacal nitrogenous fertilizers in the reduction zone of soil particularly in paddy fields, where ammoniacal
nitrogen remains available to the crop. This method ensures better distribution of fertilizer in the root zone soil and prevents loss of
nutrients by run'off.
iii) Locai)"d pac"("nt
It refers to the application of fertilizers into the soil close to the seed or plant in order to supply the nutrients in ade%uate amounts to
the roots of growing plants. The common methods to place fertilizers close to the seed or plant are as follows:
a) Driing
In this method, the fertilizer is applied at the time of sowing by means of a seed'cum'fertilizer drill. This places fertilizer and the seed
in the same row but at different depths. (lthough this method has been found suitable for the application of phosphatic and potassic
fertilizers in cereal crops, but sometimes germination of seeds and young plants may get damaged due to higher concentration of
soluble salts.
%) Sid" dr"ssing
It refers to the spread of fertilizer in between the rows and around the plants. The common methods of side'dressing are
1. $lacement of nitrogenous fertilizers by hand in between the rows of crops like maize, sugarcane, cotton etc., to apply
additional doses of nitrogen to the growing crops and
2. $lacement of fertilizers around the trees like mango, apple, grapes, papaya etc.
c) Band pac"("nt
If refers to the placement of fertilizer in bands.
Band pac"("nt is o$ two t*p"s+
i) Hi pac"("nt
It is practiced for the application of fertilizers in orchards. In this method, fertilizers are placed close to the plant in bands on one or
both sides of the plant. The length and depth of the band varies with the nature of the crop.
ii) Row pac"("nt
)hen the crops like sugarcane, potato, maize, cereals etc., are sown close together in rows, the fertilizer is applied in continuous
bands on one or both sides of the row, which is known as row placement.
Row pac"("nt
d) P""t appication
1. It refers to the placement of nitrogenous fertilizer in the form of pellets *.+ to + cm deep between the rows of the paddy
crop.
2. The fertilizer is mi!ed with the soil in the ratio of ,:,- and made small pellets of convenient size to deposit in the mud of
paddy fields.
Ad#antag"s o$ pac"("nt o$ $"rtii)"rs
The main advantages are as follows:
i" )hen the fertilizer is placed, there is minimum contact between the soil and the fertilizer, and thus fi!ation of nutrients is greatly
reduced.
ii" The weeds all over the field can not make use of the fertilizers.
iii" .esidual response of fertilizers is usually higher.
iv" /tilization of fertilizers by the plants is higher.
v" 0oss of nitrogen by leaching is reduced.
vi" Being immobile, phosphates are better utilized when placed.
1ollowing are the common methods of applying li%uid fertilizers
a) Starter solutions
It refers to the application of solution of #, P2O5 and 2*3 in the ratio of ,:*:, and ,:,:* to young plants at the time of transplanting,
particularly for vegetables.
Starter solution helps in rapid establishment and %uick growth of seedlings.
The disadvantages of starter solutions are
4i" &!tra labour is re%uired, and
4ii" the fi!ation of phosphate is higher.
b) Foliar application
1. It refers to the spraying of fertilizer solutions containing one or more nutrients on the foliage of growing plants.
2. Several nutrient elements are readily absorbed by leaves when they are dissolved in water and sprayed on them.
3. The concentration of the spray solution has to be controlled, otherwise serious damage may result due to scorching of the
leaves.
4. 1oliar application is effective for the application of minor nutrients like iron, copper, boron, zinc and manganese.
Sometimes insecticides are also applied along with fertilizers.
c) Application through irrigation water (Fertigation)
1. It refers to the application of water soluble fertilizers through irrigation water.
2. The nutrients are thus carried into the soil in solution.
3. 5enerally nitrogenous fertilizers are applied through irrigation water.
d) Injection into soil
1. 0i%uid fertilizers for inection into the soil may be of either pressure or non'pressure types.
2. #on'pressure solutions may be applied either on the surface or in furrows without appreciable loss of plant nutrients under
most conditions.
3. (nhydrous ammonia must be placed in narrow furrows at a depth of ,*',+ cm and covered immediately to prevent loss of
ammonia.
e) Aerial application.
In areas where ground application is not practicable, the fertilizer solutions are applied by aircraft particularly in hilly areas, in forest
lands, in grass lands or in sugarcane fields etc.
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NO HIGHLIGHTING
Soils, Crops and Fertilizer Use
Chapter 9: Using chemical fertilizers
What are chemical fertilizers?
Are chemical fertilizers appropriate for limited-resource farmers?
An introduction to chemical fertilizers
Common chemical fertilizers and their characteristics
The effect of fertilizers on soil p
Fertilizer salt inde! and "#urn" potential
$asic application principles for %, &, and '
Fertilizer application methods eplained and compared
Trou#leshooting fault( fertilizer practices
)etting the most out of fertilizer use: crop management as an integrated s(stem
Understanding fertilizer math
Fertilizer application methods eplained and compared
The section !i"es #ho$ to# instr%ctions on the &ollo$in! &ertilizer application
methods and compares their %se'
( )roadcastin!
( Localized placement *+and, hole, hal& circle-
( Special placement considerations &or &%rro$ irri!ated soils.
( Application thro%!h the irri!ation $ater
( Foliar applications
)/OADCASTING
)roadcastin! re&ers to spreadin! the &ertilizer e"enl0 o"er the soil s%r&ace $ith or
$itho%t $or1in! it into the soil. Localized placement re&ers to appl0in! &ertilizer
in a +and, hole, or hal&2circle near the seed ro$ or plants.
NOTE' For con"enience, this man%al $ill o&ten re&er to these 3 methods +0 their
initials, #)C# and #LP#.
Ad"anta!es o& )roadcastin!
( It !i"es a more e"en distri+%tion o& n%trients thro%!ho%t the root zone than the
LP method, allo$in! more roots to come in contact $ith the &ertilizer. It4s %s%all0
the +est method &or o+tainin! maim%m 0ields.
( There4s less dan!er o& &ertilizer #+%rn# since the &ertilizer is more dil%ted.
( It ma0 !i"e +etter distri+%tion o& la+or +0 allo$in! the initial NP5 application
to +e done +e&ore plantin!.
Disad"anta!es o& )roadcastin!
( It maimizes the tie2%p o& &ertilizer P' )roadcastin! re6%ires &rom 7289 times
more P to prod%ce the same 0ield increase compared to %sin! an LP method.
( Altho%!h +roadcastin! ma0 prod%ce hi!her 0ields i& eno%!h etra P is applied
to ma1e %p &or increased tie2%p, it4s do%+t&%l $hether limited2reso%rce &armers
sho%ld +e aimin! &or maim%m 0ields. :ost o& them &ace se"eral 0ield2limitin!
&actors ran!in! &rom mar!inal land to ins%&&icient capital.
( It also promotes more 5 tie2%p than the LP method on soils $here this is a
pro+lem *i.e. those hi!h in 3'8 temperate2t0pe cla0s s%ch as illite; see Chapter 3-.
( It &eeds the $eeds as $ell as the crop.
( It4s di&&ic%lt to spread &ertilizer e"enl0 +0 hand.
( An0 &ertilizer containin! P needs to +e $or1ed $ell into the topsoil $hen
+roadcast *see +elo$-. Not all &armers ha"e the time, la+or, or e6%ipment to do
this.
( It4s not $ell s%ited to crops $ith less etensi"e root s0stems *e.!. carrots, lett%ce,
and potatoes- %nless the04re spaced "er0 close to!ether. *See the section on
intensi"e !ardenin! in Chapter <.-
=h0 )roadcastin! P is >s%all0 not a Good Idea
=ith a &e$ eceptions, chemical &ertilizers containin! P sho%ld not +e +roadcast
o"er the soil, e"en i& the0 are plo$ed or hoed into the topsoil. )roadcastin!
spreads o%t the &ertilizer too thinl0, eposin! each !ran%le to &%ll soil contact,
$hich maimizes the opport%nit0 &or P &iation *P tie2%p-. */e"ie$ the section on
P tie2%p in Chapter ? i& this concept isn4t clear-. /emem+er that some soils hi!h
in tropical2t0pe cla0s ha"e especiall0 hi!h P &iation capacities. It ta1es a+o%t 72
89 times *or e"en more- P to pro"ide the same 0ield +oost $hen +roadcast
compared to $hen locall0 placed.
The #LP# method !reatl0 red%ces the opport%nit0 &or P tie2%p +0 minimizin! the
soil4s contact $ith the &ertilizer. It also res%lts in a hi!h eno%!h concentration o& P
to o"ercome the tie2%p a+ilit0 o& the soil immediatel0 s%rro%ndin! the &ertilizer.
Sho%ld P E"er +e )roadcast@
Farmers $ith ade6%ate capital and $hose soil has onl0 a moderate P tie2%p
capacit0 $ill sometimes ma1e lar!e +roadcast applications o& P to +%ild %p the
#oil4s P stat%s. S%ch applications ma0 +e e&&ecti"e &or se"eral 0ears and are o&ten
com+ined $ith localized placement o& smaller amo%nts near the seed ro$ at
plantin! or transplantin! to stim%late earl0 !ro$th. Fe$ limited2reso%rce
&armers $ill +e a+le to a&&ord s%ch lar!e +roadcast applications $hich are +etter
s%ited to "er0 hi!h 0ield !oals, !ood capital a"aila+ilit0, and soils lo$ in P
&iation a+ilit0.
Ho$e"er, there are se"eral sit%ations $here +roadcastin! a P &ertilizer ma0 +e
appropriate, e"en &or limited2reso%rce &armers'
( N%rser0 seed+eds' Gi"en the dense spacin!s %sed in +eds &or prod%cin!
transplants, the #LP# method isn4t practical. Also, n%rser0 seed+eds are "er0
small, so eno%!h etra P can +e applied $itho%t ecessi"e cost.
( Other small Plots $here the etra hi!h rates needed can +e applied at a
reasona+le cost, especiall0 those $here the seeds ha"e +een +roadcast, ma1in! an
LP method di&&ic%lt. The main rationale &or +roadcastin! $o%ld +e to a"oid the
la+or o& +andin! &ertilizer on directplanted "e!ies; $here transplants are +ein!
set, +roadcastin! has m%ch less A%sti&ication, +eca%se the plants are set &ar
eno%!h apart to +e 6%ic1l0 &ertilized +0 an LP method li1e a hal& circle or a hole.
( Flooded rice &ields' =hile &looded, a soil4s P tie2%p capacit0 is considera+l0
red%ced, so &ertilizer P can +e +roadcast and still ha"e !ood a"aila+ilit0 in rice
paddies.
( Tree crops' )roadcastin! P &ertilizer in a +road +and *792<9 cm $ide- aro%nd a
tree is an e&&ecti"e application method. It doesn4t res%lt in as m%ch P tie2%p, since
the &ertilizer is still &airl0 concentrated compared to %ni&orml0 +roadcastin! it
o"er the $hole &ield.
( Past%res' Topdressin! *+roadcastin! &ertilizer and lea"in! it on the s%r&ace- is
the onl0 practical method &or appl0in! &ertilizer to an esta+lished past%re. E"en
tho%!h the P isn4t $or1ed into the soil, it4s still %tilized, since !rass roots !ro$
"er0 close to the s%r&ace. There4s also less P tie2%p near the s%r&ace d%e to the
hi!h h%m%s le"el promoted +0 the past%re.
)roadcast P :%st +e =or1ed into the Soil
)roadcast P is "irt%all0 immo+ile d%e to P tie2%p in the soil. It $on4t reach the
roots %nless it4s thoro%!hl0 $or1ed into the topsoil $ith a hoe or plo$. A ra1e or
a dis1 harro$ $on4t mo"e it do$n deep eno%!h. Lea"in! P &ertilizer on the soil
s%r&ace is a common mista1e and res%lts in m%ch less 0ield response. On soils
that ha"e +een hea"il0 m%lched $ith rice stra$, etc., root de"elopment can +e
6%ite !ood near the soil s%r&ace *it doesn4t dr0 o%t as m%ch-, and s%r&ace
+roadcastin! ma0 +e &easi+le $here moist%re is ade6%ate to 1eep the s%r&ace
contin%all0 $et.
AN EXCEPTION' =hen appl0in! &ertilizer P in a $ide +and aro%nd esta+lished
tree crops, it sho%ld +e $or1ed in shallo$l0 *327 cm- to a"oid pr%nin! tree roots
$hich !ro$ close to the s%r&ace.
Ho$ to )roadcast Fertilizer E"enl0
=hen +roadcastin! &ertilizer +0 hand, a more e"en distri+%tion can +e o+tained
+0 &irst di"idin! the dosa!e into 327 parts. Appl0 the &irst part $hile $al1in!
len!th$ise do$n the &ield or plot; appl0 the 3nd part $hile $al1in! at ri!ht
an!les to the &irst pass, and so on.
Hand2cran1ed &ertilizer +roadcasters are Also a"aila+le in some areas, as are
tractor dra$n spreaders.
LOCALIBED PLACE:ENT :ETHODS' )and, Hole, Hal&2Circle
The #LP# methods are %s%all0 the +est ones &or limited2reso%rce &armers $hose
capital, mana!ement, and le"el o& other limitin! &actors point to$ard %sin! lo$
to moderate rates o& chemical &ertilizers *$hen or!anics are lac1in!C. As 0o%4ll
see +elo$, the pros o%t$ei!h the cons'
Ad"anta!es o& the LP :ethod
( Lo$ to moderate rates o& &ertilizer *especiall0 P- are more e&&icientl0 %sed than
i& +roadcast. This pro"ides the maim%m ret%rn per dollar spent, somethin!
small &armers sho%ld %s%all0 +e aimin! &or.
( It minimizes the tie2%p o& P *and also o& 5 in the less common case $here this is
a pro+lem-.
( It pro"ides an earl0 !ro$th stim%lation, especiall0 in cooler soils $here plants
ha"e tro%+le ta1in! %p eno%!h P. This doesn4t al$a0s lead to hi!her 0ields +%t
helps the crop compete $ith $eeds.
( It doesn4t &eed the $eeds as m%ch.
( It4s especiall0 !ood &or crops $ith less etensi"e root s0stems li1e potatoes,
onions, lett%ce, and ca++a!e.
Disad"anta!es o& the LP :ethod
( It4s di&&ic%lt to prod%ce maim%m 0ields $ith the LP method alone on lo$
&ertilit0 soils. )%t, maim%m 0ields aren4t li1el0 to +e the +est strate!0 &or most
small &armers, an0$a0, as alread0 mentioned.
( It can +e more la+orio%s and time2cons%min! than the )C method; ho$e"er,
$or1in! +roadcast &ertilizer into the soil ma0 re6%ire e6%al or !reater la+or.
Depth isn4t as Important $ith 44LP# Placed P
Altho%!h +roadcast P is immo+ile and needs to +e $or1ed $ell into the topsoil to
reach the roots, LP2applied P doesn4t al$a0s ha"e to +e placed as deep. /ecent
research has sho$n that &ertilizer P $ill mo"e do$n to the roots $hen an LP
method is %sed. That4s +eca%se there4s s%&&icient concentration o& P in the +and,
hole, or hal&2circle to o"ercome the s%rro%ndin! soil4s tie2%p a+ilit0 eno%!h &or
some do$n$ard mo"ement to occ%r. LP2placed P $ill reach the roots, e"en i&
applied near the soil s%r&ace, as lon! as there4s eno%!h rain&all or $aterin! &or
!ood plant !ro$th and &or mo"in! the P do$n to the roots.
Distance and Depth G%idelines &or LP Application
Here are speci&ic !%idelines &or the 7 LP methods o& &ertilizer application'
)ANDING, HALF2CI/CLE, and HOLE.
NOTE' Li6%id #starter# &ertilizer sol%tions that are applied aro%nd a transplant
$hen it4s set in the !ro%nd are also a t0pe o& LP method and are co"ered in
Chapter 89 %nder "e!eta+les.
)ANDING
)andin! re&ers to placin! the &ertilizer in a contin%o%s narro$ strip r%nnin!
parallel to the crop ro$ and &airl0 close to it. O& the 7 LP methods, +andin! is the
+est s%ited &or closel02so$n ro$ crops li1e spinach, lett%ce, t%rnips, and drill2
planted *one seed per hole- maize. It can also +e %sed on crops $ith $ider in2ro$
spacin!s, +%t the hal&2circle and hole methods ma0 +e more con"enient. St%dies
ha"e sho$n that onl0 one +and alon! the ro$ is needed rather than 3 *one on
each side-.
NOTE' The +andin! !%idelines +elo$ appl0 to at2plantin! applications o& N, P,
and 5. Sidedressin! N on !ro$in! crops $ill +e co"ered &arther on.
Distance &rom the Seed /o$ &or )and Applications
( =hen +andin! &ertilizer at plantin! time, the +and sho%ld +e placed a+o%t D2E.D
cm *72< &in!ers2$idth- o%t &rom the seed &%rro$. Closer placement ma0 ca%se
+%rnin!. :ore distant placement ma0 pre"ent the roots &rom reachin! the
&ertilizer earl0 eno%!h.
( Don4t place a &ertilizer containin! N or 5 directl0 %nder the seeds, e"en i&
separated +0 a &e$ centimeters o& soil. Salts &rom the N and 5 compo%nds $ill
mo"e %p$ards as the soil dries o%t +et$een $aterin!s or rains and $ill inA%re the
seeds or 0o%n! roots.
( =ith maize, $hich has &airl0 !ood resistance to &ertilizer +%rn, it4s possi+le to
place the &ertilizer and the seed in the same &%rro$ %nder certain conditions *see
Chapter 89 %nder maize-. =ith other crops, it4s possi+le to ma1e a sin!le &%rro$
that4s $ide eno%!h to accomodate a separate &ertilize +and and seed ro$.
Ho$ Deep to :a1e the )and
It can +e an0$here &rom on the s%r&ace to 89 cm deep, dependin! on se"eral
&actors'
( =here there4s eno%!h rain&all or o"erhead irri!ation &or !ood !ro$th, there
$ill +e eno%!h $ater to mo"e the +anded N, P, and 5 do$n to the roots, e"en i&
the +and is is placed at or near the s%r&ace. This is tr%e e"en &or P; altho%!h
immo+ile $hen applied +roadcast, LP2applied P is mo+ile i& there4s eno%!h $ater
&or do$n$ard mo"ement.
( I& on a slope, the +and sho%ld +e a &e$ centimeters deep to pre"ent &ertilizer
loss &rom $ater r%no&&.
( To a"oid N loss as ammonia !as, don4t lea"e &ertilizers containin! the
ammoni%m &orm o& N on the soil s%r&ace i& the soil pH is a+o"e E.9. >rea *<D2929-
releases ammonia at an0 soil pH.
( =here rain&all is %nrelia+le and there4s no irri!ation, tr0 to ma1e the +and as
deep as E.D289 cm *a+o%t < &in!ers2$idth to a palm4s $idth- deep, $hich $ill
place the &ertilizer $here soil moist%re and root !ro$th are more plenti&%l.
Ho$ to :a1e a Fertilizer )and
Here are < methods'
( )0 hand' This $or1s $ell on small "e!eta+le plots i& soil is so&t. >se 0o%r
&in!ertips.
( )0 hoe' >se the hoe +lade on ed!e to ma1e a #F#2shaped &%rro$.
( An animal2dra$n $ooden plo$ or c%lti"ator tine can +e %sed to ma1e a &%rro$.
( Fertilizer +and applicators' Hand2p%shed, animal2dra$n and tractor2dra$n
models are a"aila+le. Some animal2dra$n planters and most tractor2dra$n
planters ha"e accessor0 +and applicators that can +e p%rchased as an option.
S%r&ace )andin!' A Ne$ Techni6%e
Farmers in the >.S. ha"e recentl0 +een tr0in! a ne$ method called s%r&ace
+andin! $ith some s%ccess. It4s +ased on the &act that P $ill mo"e do$n$ard to
reach the roots $hen an LP method is %sed *!i"en that there4s eno%!h moist%re to
mo"e the P do$n$ard-. As eplained +elo$, s%r&ace +andin! is mainl0 s%ited to
&ield crops *maize, sor!h%m, +eans, etc.- and can sa"e considera+le la+or
compared $ith normal +andin!. Here are the main &eat%res o& s%r&ace +andin!'
( An NP, NP5, or P &ertilizer *dependin! on soil needs- is applied in +ands D92ED
cm apart +e&ore or a&ter tilla!e. The +ands r%n the same $a0 as the &%t%re ro$s
$ill. There4s no need to p%rposel0 ali!n the plant ro$s near the +ands, +eca%se
most &ield crops ha"e etensi"e root s0stems. It4s also possi+le to ma1e the +ands
soon a&ter plant emer!ence, instead.
( E"en i& the +ands are applied +e&ore plo$in! or hoein!, the &ertilizer still ends
%p +ein! mied $ith onl0 8928DG as m%ch soil as $o%ld occ%r $ith +roadcastin!.
There&ore, s%r&ace +andin! res%lts in m%ch less P tie2%p; ho$e"er, it4s less
e&&ecti"e in this respect than normal +andin! i& the s%r&ace +and is spread o%t +0
tilla!e.
There are se"eral sit%ations $here s%r&ace +andin! ma0 not +e ad"isa+le'
( Slopin! land, raised +eds, or rid!es' S%r&ace2applied &ertilizer ma0 +e lost +0
r%no&& &rom rain&all or o"erhead $aterin! %nless the +ands are $or1ed into the
soil.
( F%rro$ irri!ation' S%r&ace +andin! re6%ires o"erhead moist%re *rain&all,
sprin1lers, or hand2$aterin!- to mo"e the P do$n$ard. F%rro$ irri!ation $on4t
allo$ s%r&ace2applied &ertilizer to mo"e do$n$ard.
HALF2CI/CLE :ETHOD
This consists o& appl0in! the &ertilizer in a semi2circle aro%nd the plant, seed, or
seed !ro%p. It4s the +est o& the 7 LP methods &or transplants li1e tomatoes,
pepper, e!!plant, and ca++a!e +eca%se o& their $ider in2ro$ spacin!s. It also
$or1s $ell $ith #hill#2planted *cl%ster2planted- maize and other &ield crops
$here spacin! +et$een plant !ro%ps is $ide. A hal& circle is as e&&ecti"e as a &%ll
circle.
Distance &rom the seeds or plants' For seeds, 0o%n! seedlin!s, and ne$l02set
transplants, place the hal& circle a+o%t 89 cm *a palm4s $idth- o%t.
Depth' Follo$ the same !%idelines as !i"en &or +andin!.
HOLE :ETHOD
This method consists o& placin! the &ertilizer in a hole near the seed, plant, or
plant !ro%p. It4s li1el0 to +e the least e&&ecti"e o& the 7 LP methods, +eca%se it
con&ines the &ertilizer to a "er0 small area, ma1in! it a"aila+le to &e$er roots.
Ho$e"er, it4s still m%ch +etter than %sin! no &ertilizer at all on a poor soil. It4s
+est s%ited to #hill# planted &ield crops on lar!e areas, especiall0 $here &armers
%se minimal land preparation and plant $ith plantin! stic1s. *These can also +e
%sed to ma1e the &ertilizer hole.-. Ho$e"er, $here there4s eno%!h moist%re to
mo"e &ertilizer do$n$ard, it $o%ld pro+a+l0 +e more e&&ecti"e and 6%ic1er to
%se s%r&ace +ands or s%r&ace hal& circles i& slope isn4t a pro+lem.
Distance o& the hole &rom the seeds' A+o%t E.D289 cm *< &in!ers2$idth to a palm4s
$idth-.
Depth' =here rain&all is %nrelia+le, the hole sho%ld ideall0 +e made 8928D cm
deep, +%t this ma0 not al$a0s +e practical.
SO:E SPECIAL ADFICE FO/ F>//O=2I//IGATED SOILS
=hen %sin! LP methods on &%rro$2irri!ated soils, ma1e s%re that the &armer
places the &ertilizer +elo$ the le"el that the irri!ation $ater $ill reach in the
&%rro$ *see Fi!%re H88. This places the &ertilizer +elo$ the #hi!h $ater mar1#
and ena+les mo+ile n%trients li1e nitrate N and s%l&ate to mo"e side$a0s and
do$n$ard to$ards the roots. I& placed a+o"e the hi!h $ater line, %p$ard
capillar0 $ater mo"ement $ill carr0 these mo+ile n%trients to the soil s%r&ace
$here the0 can4t +e %sed. *>p$ard capillar0 $ater mo"ement is the same process
that ena+les 1erosene to #clim+# %p the $ic1 in a lamp.-
FIG>/E H28' Fertilizer application on &%rro$2irri!ated soils. Fertilizer in ro$ A
$as placed a+o"e the hi!h2$ater mar1 and $ill +e carried %p$ard a$a0 &rom
the roots. Fertilizer in ro$ ) has +een correctl0 applied +elo$ the hi!h2$ater
mar1 and $ill mo"e do$n$ard to the roots.
SIDED/ESSING NIT/OGEN
The reasons &or sidedressin! N and the n%m+er o& sidedressin!s needed $ere
co"ered a &e$ pa!es +ac1 %nder N application principles.
G%idelines &or Placement o& N Sidedressin!s
There are se"eral $a0s to sidedress N'
( For close2so$n crops, li1e lett%ce and Chinese ca++a!e, the N &ertilizer can +e
applied in a contin%o%s +and parallel to the ro$ and 89239 cm o%t &rom it.
( For "e!eta+les $ith $ider in2ro$ spacin!s, li1e tomatoes, e!!plant, and
ca++a!e, the hal&circle method $or1s $ell. Place the hal& circle a+o%t 8?239 cm
o%t &rom the stem. Closer placement ma0 ca%se inA%r0. )andin! can +e %sed
instead i& more con"enient.
( For maize, sor!h%m, and millet, N can +e sidedressed in a +and r%nnin! ri!ht
do$n +et$een each ro$, e"en i& the ro$s are a meter apart. That4s +eca%se these
cereals ha"e a "er0 etensi"e root s0stem. )0 the time these crops are 1nee hi!h,
the roots &rom adAacent ro$s ha"e alread0 crossed each other in the ro$ middles.
Depth to sidedress N' I& rain or $aterin! $ill +e ade6%ate to mo"e the N
do$n$ard, the &ertilizer onl0 has to +e placed deep eno%!h to pre"ent it +ein!
carried a$a0 +0 $ater r%no&& or &rom losin! N as ammonia !as. A depth o& 3 cm
is &ine. :%ch deeper placement ma0 pr%ne roots i& the crop is $ell alon!.
Com+inin! sidedressin! $ith a $eedin!' This can +e time and la+or sa"in!, since
the $eedin! $ill co"er %p the N &ertilizer the same time.
:IXING FE/TILIBE/S =ITH =ATE/
There are 7 $a0s o& appl0in! &ertilizers +0 miin! them $ith $ater'
( :a1in! %p a starter sol%tion +0 dissol"in! an NP or NP5 &ertilizer $ith $ater.
*See the section on "e!eta+les in Chapter 89.-
( :iin! an N &ertilizer li1e %rea or ammoni%m nitrate $ith $ater and $aterin!
it o"er plants s%ch as those in a n%rser0 seed+ed. *See the section on "e!eta+les in
Chapter 89.-
( Sol%+le &orms o& NP5 &ertilizer can +e applied thro%!h drip2irri!ation s0stems.
/esearch has sho$n that P applied in this $a0 $ill mo"e do$n$ard to the roots.
This is +eca%se drip irri!ation is essentiall0 an #LP# method o& appl0in! $ater
and &ertilizer. A t0pical drip s0stem $ill concentrate $ater and &ertilizer on 39G
or less o& the soil s%r&ace.
( =here sprin1ler irri!ation is %sed, sol%+le N &ertilizers li1e those a+o"e can +e
inAected into the pipeline This can +e $aste&%l $here $ater application is %ne"en,
ho$e"er. *To a"oid the possi+ilit0 o& &ertilizer +%rn, +e s%re to irri!ate $ith plain
$ater &or a &e$ min%tes a&ter$ards.-
( Sol%+le N so%rces can also +e dissol"ed in &%rro$2irri!ation $ater, +%t this is
too $aste&%l a method.
FOLIA/ FE/TILIBE/ APPLICATIONS :icron%trient Applications
Foliar applications are +est s%ited &or appl0in! micron%trients. Since "er0 small
le"els are needed to treat a de&icienc0, the0 can +e easil0 applied in one or t$o
applications $itho%t ca%sin! #+%rnin!#. This method is especiall0 $ell s%ited to i
I and man!anese, since it +0passes soil tie2%p o& these n%trients.
NP5 Foliar Applications
Sol%+le po$ders or li6%ids containin! NP5 na0 +e sold in 0o%r area &or miin!
$ith $ater and spra0in! on crops. Some sol%+le !ran%lar &ertilizers li1e %rea can
+e %sed &or this p%rpose too. Altho%!h sellers o& &oliar NP5 &ertilizers o&ten claim
"er0 pro&ita+le 0ield increases, here are some &acts to consider'
( N%mero%s trials ha"e sho$n that NP5 &oliar applications %s%all0 $ill #!reen
%p# the lea"es; ho$e"er, si!ni&icant 0ield increases %s%all0 don4t occ%r, as lon! as
eno%!h NP5 is +ein! applied to the soil.
( On the other hand, a 8HE? trial +0 CIAT in Colom+ia o+tained a 33D 1!Jha 0ield
increase on &ield +eans +0 spra0in! them 7 times $ith a 3.DG sol%tion *+0
$ei!ht- o& 882<K29 *monoammoni%m phosphate-, e"en tho%!h 8D9 1!Jha o&
P
3
O
D
had +een added to the soil. The spra0 contri+%ted onl0 89 1!Jha o& P
3
O
D
.
Ho$e"er, this soil had a "er0 hi!h P tie2%p capacit0.
( The sol%+le po$der and li6%id &oliar &ertilizers are m%ch more epensi"e per
%nit o& n%trient, compared to standard &ertilizers.
( N%mero%s applications ma0 +e needed to s%ppl0 a meanin!&%l amo%nt o& NP5
thro%!h the lea"es $itho%t +%rnin! them.
( Some NP5 &oliar &ertilizers ha"e micron%trients too, +%t the amo%nts are
%s%all0 too small to pre"ent or c%re a de&icienc0.
( Altho%!h &oliar applications ta1e e&&ect 6%ic1l0 *827 da0s-, the0 ha"e m%ch less
resid%al "al%e than soil applications.
DETE/:INING FE/TILIBE/ /ATES
HO= /ATES A/E GIFEN
There are 3 +asic $a0s o& statin! a &ertilizer dosa!e. Lo%4ll pro+a+l0 r%n into
+oth o& these'
8. 5! o& act%al &ertilizer needed per hectare
Eample' Appl0 799 1!Jha o& 89239289 to maize at plantin!, &ollo$ed +0 899
1!Jha o& %rea *<D2929- at 1nee2hi!h sta!e.
This t0pe o& dosa!e is "er0 strai!ht&or$ard, since it tells 0o% the 1ind and
amo%nt o& act%al &ertilizer needed. Ho$e"er, 0o%4ll still need to calc%late ho$
m%ch &ertilizer to +%0 &or the &ield4s size and ho$ m%ch to appl0 per plant or per
meter o& ro$ len!th; $e4ll co"er this %nder &ertilizer math &arther alon!.
3. 5! o& N, P
3
O
D
, and 5
3
O needed per hectare
Eample' Soil test res%lts recommend the &ollo$in! &ertilizer dosa!es &or a
tomato &ield'

'g*hectare

% &+,- '+,
At transplanting ./ 0/ ./
Additional % to appl( o1er 2
sidedressings3
4-

This $a0 o& statin! &ertilizer dosa!es is more complicated since it4s %p to 0o% and
the &armer to determine the amo%nt o& &ertilizer needed per hectare to satis&0 the
recommendation. *=e4ll co"er this %nder &ertilizer math- This method is o&ten
pre&erred o"er M8 a+o"e, +eca%se the t0pes o& &ertilizers a"aila+le ma0 "ar0 a lot
&rom one area to another.
=hat is the most pro&ita+le t0pe and amo%nt o& &ertilizer &or limited2reso%rce
&armers@
Lo% ma0 ha"e seen +oes o& &ertilizer la+elled #Tomato Fertilizer# or #/ose
Fertilizer# in !arden shops; the la+el ma0 e"en !i"e dosa!e rates. >n&ort%natel0,
it4s not that simple. There4s no one t0pe o& &ertilizer or &ertilizer rate that4s +est
&or one crop. These depend on se"eral &actors'
( N%trient stat%s o& the soil $hich is +est determined +0 a soil test. *See Chapter
E.-
( T0pe o& crop *le!%me "s. non2le!%me, etc.-.
( Feasi+le 0ield !oal as determined +0'
(( Limitin! soil, $eather, moist%re, and pest &actors
(( Farmer mana!ement le"el
(( Capital a"aila+le &or needed inp%ts
( Epected costJret%rn +ased on costs, li1el0 0ield, and estimated price. The latter
3 are especiall0 di&&ic%lt to proAect &or "e!eta+le crops.
=hat to Do =here /elia+le /ecommendations Aren4t A"aila+le
As 0o% sa$ in Chapter E on e"al%atin! soil &ertilit0, it4s not al$a0s possi+le to
o+tain relia+le soil test res%lts or recommendations that are !eared to the special
circ%mstances o& limited2reso%rce &armers. Nonetheless, 0o% can still de"elop
&airl0 appropriate recommendations +0 %sin! this man%al and doin! some local
in"esti!ation. Here4s ho$'
( Start +0 chec1in! at the local etension o&&ice to see i& relia+le res%lts are
a"aila+le &or soil tests or &ertilizer trials cond%cted on the same t0pe o& soil on
near+0 &arms.
( Chec1 to ma1e s%re that the :inistr0 o& A!ric%lt%re hasn4t alread0 de"eloped
appropriate &ertilizer recommendations &or the soil in"ol"ed, +ased on soil tests
or &ertilizer trials.
I& s%ch in&ormation isn4t a"aila+le, 0o%4ll ha"e to start &rom scratch, +e!innin!
$ith this "er0 %se&%l !%ideline'
LI:ITED2/ESO>/CE FA/:E/S SHO>LD >S>ALLL AI: FO/
:AXI:>: /ET>/N PE/ DOLLA/ SPENT. THIS :EANS >SING LO= TO
:ODE/ATE FE/TILIBE/ /ATES )ECA>SE OF THE LA= OF
DI:INISHING /ET>/NS.
Fertilizer /esponse and the La$ o& Diminishin! /et%rns
Fi!%re H23 and Ta+le H27 sho$ that the 0ield response to &ertilizer &ollo$s the La$
o& Diminishin! ret%rns $hich has especiall0 important conse6%ences &or limited2
reso%rce &armers.
FIG>/E H23' Graph ill%stratin! the La$ o& Diminishin! /et%rns and its e&&ect
on response to &ertilizer.
TA)LE H27 AN EXA:PLE OF THE LA= OF DI:INISHING /ET>/NS
( As a &armer4s capital sit%ation impro"es, she can a&&ord to +ecome less e&&icient
in terms o& maim%m ret%rn per dollar and +e!in to aim more to$ard maim%m
total pro&it +0 appl0in! more &ertilizer per hectare *as lon! as in"estment in other
appropriate practices isn4t sacri&iced-. This is similar to a lar!e s%permar1et that
ma1es less ret%rn per dollar *d%e to disco%nt pricin!- +%t ma1es more total pro&it
than a small !rocer0 +eca%se o& m%ch hi!her "ol%me.
( )0 %sin! lo$ to moderate rates o& &ertilizer, a limited2reso%rce &armer $ill +e
a+le to &ertilize more land and, hope&%ll0, ha"e capital le&t o"er to in"est in
complementar0 impro"ed practices.
To help clari&0 thin!s, s%ppose that Ta+le H27 applies to a limited2reso%rce &arm
&amil0 $ith 3 hectares o& maize. Let4s sa0 the0 can onl0 a&&ord to +%0 K9 1! o& N
and still ha"e eno%!h capital le&t to in"est in other complementar0 practices. I&
the0 applied all K9 1! to one hectare, the0 $o%ld har"est a total o& 8?E3 1! o&
maize o&& the 3 hectares *87E3 N 79D-. I& the0 applied <9 1! o& N to each hectare,
the0 $o%ld har"est 3E<< 1! o& maize, or 89E3 1! more than in the &irst case.
S%+stit%tion o& &ertilizer &or land' It can +e ar!%ed &rom the a+o"e eample that
it ta1es more la+or to &ertilize 3 hectares instead o& one. Ho$e"er, the other side
is that &ertilizer %se can red%ce the amo%nt o& land *and, there&ore, la+or- needed
to prod%ce a !i"en amo%nt o& crop, th%s c%ttin! costs and allo$in! &or more
di"ersit0 o& prod%ction.
SO:E G>IDELINES FO/ LO=, :EDI>:, AND HIGH NP5 /ATES
Ta+le H2< !i"es some #+allpar1# &i!%res &or lo$, medi%m, and hi!h NP5 rates,
+ased on the realities o& limited2reso%rce &armin!. E"en the #hi!h# rates in the
ta+le $o%ld +e considered on the lo$ side +0 man0 &armers in North America
and E%rope $ho ha"e access to ade6%ate credit. For eample, it4s not %ncommon
&or >.S. Corn )elt &armers to appl0 399 1! o& act%al N per hectare on maize.
S%ch rates ma0 prod%ce maim%m pro&it per hectare +%t at the price o& a lo$er
ret%rn on capital, a less e&&icient 0ield response, and possi+le poll%tion o& !ro%nd
$ater and la1es +0 ecess nitrate.
TA)LE H2< G>IDELINES FO/ LO=, :EDI>:. AND HIOH NP5 /ATES
GEA/ED TO LI:ITED2/ESO>/GE FA/:INGO
NOTE' DO NOT >SE THIS TA)LE =ITHO>T CONS>LTING THE
P>ALIFICATIONS LISTED )ELO= IT.

5,W 67g*hectare8 9:;<U9
67g*hectare8
<)==
67g*hectare8
% 2---- >/-9/ ?//@
&+,- +--2- ./->/ 4/@
'+, 2/-./ -/-4/ 0/@
O /e&ers to total NP5 &or one crop; don4t incl%de a n%rser0 seed+ed application
or the %se o& a starter &ertilizer sol%tion in these totals.
OO #HIGH# doesn4t necessaril0 impl0 #too hi!h#.
P%ali&ications to Ta+le H2<
8. The P rates in the ta+le are +ased on localized placement, not on +roadcastin!.
A+o%t 789 times more P is needed i& +roadcast.
3. Lo% m%st consider the soil4s li1el0 &ertilit0 stat%s. A soil hi!h in a"aila+le 5,
$o%ld need little or no &ertilizer 5. :ost soils that ha"e +een %nder croppin! &or
a &e$ 0ears are lo$ in N. :ost soils are lo$ to medi%m in P.
7. Lo% m%st consider the t0pe o& crop'
( The N rates in Ta+le H2< are !eared to hi!h %sers li1e maize, sor!h%m, rice,
lea&0 "e!eta+les, tomatoes, and impro"ed potato "arieties. :ost root crops ha"e
moderate N needs.
( Le!%mes "s. non2le!%mes' Pean%ts, co$peas, so0+eans, m%n!+eans,
pi!eonpeas, chic1peas, and $in!ed +eans are "er0 e&&icient N &iers and seldom
re6%ire N as lon! as the proper strain o& rhizo+ia +acteria is present. )eans
*Phaseol%s "%l!aris- and !arden peas *Pis%m sati"%m- are onl0 a+o%t hal& as
e&&icient and can %se %p to D92?9 1!Jha o& N.
( )ananas and starch0 root crops li1e taro, cassa"a, and potatoes ha"e the
hi!hest 5 needs. Cereals o&ten respond less than le!%mes to applied 5, +eca%se
the0 are more e&&icient 5 etractors.
( )e&ore %sin! Ta+le H2<, see i& the crop is listed in Chapter 89 $here more
speci&ic &ertilizer !%idelines are !i"en.
<. Lo% m%st also consider limitin! &actors that ma0 a&&ect the response to
&ertilizer s%ch as' moist%re, pests, diseases, soil pro+lems, $eather, &armer
mana!ement le"el, etc. These are co"ered in detail in a section on inte!rated crop
prod%ction mana!ement &arther alon! in this chapter.
G>IDELINES FO/ :AGNESI>: AND :lC/ON>T/IENT /ATES
The &ollo$in! rates are !eneralized dosa!es &or c%rin! de&iciencies $hen no
locationspeci&ic recommendations eist. In addition, 0o% can loo1 %p the
partic%lar crop in Chapter 89 to see i& more speci&ic recommendations are !i"en.
Crops and e"en c%lti"ars *"arieties- "ar0 in their micron%trient needs.
NOTE' A $ettin! a!ent *spreader- sho%ld +e %sed $hen ma1in! &oliar
applications to ass%re %ni&orm lea& co"era!e; i& a commercial one isn4t a"aila+le,
0o% can %se a mild li6%id dish$ashin! deter!ent at 827 ccJliter.
:AGNESI>:' 797D 1!Jha act%al ma!nesi%m $hich e6%als 8D98ED 1!Jha *8D8K
!Js6. meter- o& epsom salts *ma!nesi%m s%l&ate- $hich contain a+o%t 39G p%re
:!. For &oliar applications, appl0 833K !rams per liter o& $ater.
I/ON' For soil applications, chelated iron *H83G iron- sho%ld +e %sed at 39<9
1!Jha to a"oid soil tie%p. Ferro%s s%l&ate *39G Fe- is "er0 e&&ecti"e &or &oliar
application as a 83G spra0 *8939 !rams &erro%s s%l&ate per liter o& $ater-.
:ANGANESE' :an!anese s%l&ate can +e +anded at D89 1!Jha $hich helps
protect it &rom tie%p *it can +e mied $ith the NP5 &ertilizer-. Foliar applications
o& man!anese s%l&ate can +e "er0 e&&ecti"e, %sin! a 83G spra0 *8939 !rams
man!anese s%l&ate per liter-.
COPPE/' Copper s%l&ate pentah0drate *3DG C%- can +e +roadcast at 3D<9
1!Jha *3.D< !Js6. meter- on mineral soils and at 899799 1!Jha *8979 !Js6. meter-
on peat soils. Foliar applications can +e made %sin! copper s%l&ate pentah0drate
at 7? !ramsJliter.
BINC' 89<9 1!Jha *8< !Js6. meter- o& zinc s%l&ate; +and at lo$er rates, +roadcast
at hi!her rates. Foliar applications are "er0 e&&ecti"e %sin! a 83G sol%tion o& zinc
s%l&ate *8939 !Jliter-.
)O/ON' )ora *88G )- can +e +roadcast at 893D 1!Jha *8.93.D !Js6. meter- &or
le!%mes and certain root crops li1e s$eetpotatoes; &or other crops, tr0 D89 1!Jha
o& +ora *9.D8.9 !Js6. meter-. >se the lo$er rates on sand0 soils. )oron can easil0
inA%re plants or seeds i& applied at too hi!h a rate or concentrated too close to the
ro$.
:OLL)DEN>:' :o de&icienc0 is most common on o"erl0 acid soils +eca%se o&
tie%p; limin! $ill o&ten c%re a de&icienc0. Sodi%m mol0+date *<9G :o- can +e
+roadcast at D998999 !ramsJhectare. Treatin! the seed $ith sodi%m or
ammoni%m mol0+date is the most common $a0 o& treatin! de&iciencies *see the
section on so0+eans in Chapter 89-. Ecess :o applied to &ora!e crops can +e
toic to li"estoc1.
I:PO/TANCE OF ACHIEFING THE /IGHT N>T/IENT )ALANCE
I& t$o or more n%trients are de&icient sim%ltaneo%sl0 *"er0 li1el0-, addin! onl0
one ma0 !i"e "er0 disappointin! res%lts. For eample, loo1 at the res%lts o& the
&ertilizer trial +elo$ cond%cted on a soil $here +oth N and P $ere lo$'
Treatment 9aize Aield &er
ectare
Aield <ncrease
%one +./ 7g --
% onl( 4+/ 7g .0/ 7g
& onl( ??+/ 7g 00/ 7g
% @ & 2+-/ 7g 2??/ 7g
In other cases, an ecess o& one n%trient relati"e to another can ca%se im+alances'
( A hi!h ratio o& potassi%m or ammoni%m N to ma!nesi%m can ca%se a de&icienc0
o& ma!nesi%m in s%scepti+le crops s%ch as to+acco and past%re !rasses.
( A hi!h ratio o& potassi%m to calci%m ma0 pro"o1e a calci%m de&icienc0 in
pean%ts.
Lar!e applications o& phosphor%s can ca%se de&iciencies o& iron or zinc, especiall0
$hen an LP application method is %sed. *On the other hand, P &ertilizer impro"es
the a"aila+ilit0 o& man!anese; this can +e important &or crops s%ch as oats,
so0+eans, +eans, and pean%ts $hich are especiall0 s%scepti+le to man!anese
de&iciencies.-
A hi!h ratio o& calci%m to ma!nesi%m can ca%se a ma!nesi%m de&icienc0. This is
common $here acid soils are limed $ith materials that contain calci%m onl0
instead o& $ith dolomitic limestone.
O"erlimin! a soil can ca%se micron%trient de&iciencies *ecept &or mol0+den%mC.
Ecess sol%+le copper and man!anese can ca%se iron de&iciecies and "ice2"ersa.
EXPAND TEXT
EXPAND CONTENTS
DETACH
NO HIGHLIGHTING
)asic application principles &or N, P, and 5
Fertilizer application methods e!plained and compared
)asic application principles &or N, P, and 5
)e&ore co"erin! the speci&ic application methods &or chemical &ertilizers, let4s !o
o"er some important principles that a&&ects ho$ N, P, and 5 can +e +est applied.
NIT/OGEN APPLICATION P/INCIPLES
/emem+er that nearl0 all chemical &ertilizer N is mo+ile and leacha+le in the
soil, +eca%se ammoni%m N is rapidl0 con"erted to mo+ile nitrate in $arm soils.
The sandier the soil and the hi!her the rain&all, the !reater the potential leachin!
losses.
Ho$ to Com+at Leachin! Losses o& N
I& all the N is applied at plantin! or transplantin!, m%ch ma0 +e lost +0 leachin!,
especiall0 since 0o%n! plants ha"e relati"el0 small N needs. For ann%al crops,
s%ch as maize, tomatoes, and ca++a!e, it4s &ar +etter to #spoon&eed# the N +0
appl0in! onl0 8J728J3 o& the total *+%t no less than 79 1!Jha act%al N- at plantin!
or transplantin!, %s%all0 as part o& an NP or NP5 &ertilizer. The remainin! 8J32
3J7 is applied in one to se"eral sidedressin!s alon! the crop ro$, startin! a+o%t <
$ee1s a&ter the initial NP5 application. Sidedressin!s %s%all0 consist o& a
strai!ht N &ertilizer li1e %rea or ammoni%m s%l&ate.
G%idelines &or Sidedressin! N
The n%m+er o& sidedressin!s o"er $hich the remainin! N is di"ided depends on 3
&actors'
( The potential &or leachin! losses as in&l%enced +0 tet%re and rain&all.
( The len!th o& !ro$in! period &or the crop.
Here are some eamples'
:aize' >s%all0 needs one sidedressin! aro%nd 1nee2hi!h sta!e *a+o%t < $ee1s
a&ter plantin! in $arm areas-. >nder hi!h rain&all, especiall0 on sand0 soils, 3
sidedressin!s are recommended' one at 1nee hi!h, one at tasselin!.
Fe!eta+les' A "er0 short season crop li1e radishes doesn4t need a sidedressin!.
Lea&0 "e!eta+les s%ch as lett%ce, pa1 cho0, and amaranth ma0 !et one to se"eral
sidedressin!s *at 72< $ee1 inter"als-, dependin! on $hether the $hole plant is
har"ested at once or pic1ed a &e$ lea"es at a time o"er a lon!er period. Short2
term c%c%r+its li1e s%mmer s6%ash and c%c%m+er can %se 823 sidedressin!s,
$hile lon!er2tare ones li1e melons and $inter s6%ash mi!ht need 327. Tomatoes
$ill need &rom 3 to as man0 as ? or more, dependin! on leachin! conditions and
len!th o& prod%ction. A !ood inter"al +et$een sidedressin!s is 72< $ee1s.
=here to Place Sidedressed N' =e4ll co"er this %nder application methods in a
&e$ pa!es.
Ho$ Deep to Place N' Since N is so mo+ile, it doesn4t ha"e to +e placed deep in
order to reach the roots, +%t A%st eno%!h *32D cm deep- to a"oid +ein! $ashed
a$a0 +0 rain or losin! N as ammonia !as *re&er to the section on N &ertilizers-.
PHOSPHO/>S APPLICATION P/INCIPLES
The 0ield response o+tained &rom appl0in! &ertilizer P to P2de&icient soils
depends a lot on ho$ and $hen it4s applied. Learn these important !%idelines'
( Appl0 P earl0' Lo%n! seedlin!s need a hi!h concentration o& P in their tiss%es
&or earl0 !ro$th and root de"elopment. One st%d0 sho$ed that 0o%n! maize
seedlin!s ta1e %p 33 times more P per %nit o& len!th than plants 88 $ee1s old. P
sho%ld +e applied at plantin! or transplantin! time.
( /emem+er that appl0in! P in com+ination $ith N *i& needed- helps stim%late P
%pta1e.
( Application method has a +i! in&l%ence on the soil4s a+ilit0 to tie %p applied P.
)roadcastin! *spreadin!- &ertilizer P %s%all0 res%lts in &ar more tie2%p than %sin!
a localized placement method *+and, hole, or hal& circle- since it maimizes the
contact o& each &ertilizer !ran%le $ith soil particles than can ca%se tie2%p. These
methods $ill +e eplained in the %pcomin! section on &ertilizer application
( Place +roadcast P deep' It sho%ld +e thoro%!hl0 mied into the topsoil $ith a
plo$ or hoe, ecept $hen spread aro%nd tree crops *this $ill +e eplained &arther
alon! %nder application methods-.
( Don4t #spoon&eed# P' Dependin! on application method, the mo+ilit0 o& P
"aries &rom nothin! to "er0 moderate. Leachin! is ne"er a pro+lem, so all o& the
P can +e applied in one application. There4s no ad"anta!e to ma1in!
sidedressin!s as !ro$th proceeds %nless P h%n!er si!ns de"elop.
POTASSI>: APPLICATION P/INCIPLES
5 ran1s mid$a0 +et$een N and P in terms o& mo+ilit0 and leachin!. As $ith P,
all the 5 can %s%all0 +e applied at plantin! or transplantin! as part o& an NP5
&ertilizer or as a strai!ht 5 &ertilizer. =here leachin! losses are li1el0 to +e hi!h,
split applications o& 5 ma0 +e needed. Split applications are also recommended
&or past%res to a"oid #l%%r0 cons%mption# o& 5. */e&er the section on
potassi%m in Chapter ?.-
EXPAND TEXT
EXPAND CONTENTS
DETACH
NO HIGHLIGHTING
>nderstandin! &ertilizer math
>nderstandin! &ertilizer math
There4s a s%rprisin! amo%nt o& math de"ol"ed in %sin! chemical &ertilizers. This
section co"ers the &ollo$in! %se&%l &ertilizer math s1ills'
( Con"ertin! &ertilizer recommendations &rom an N2P
3
O
D
25
3
O +asis to the act%al
1ind and amo%nt o& &ertilizer needed.
( Selectin! the most economical &ertilizer.
( :iin! &ertilizers.
( Determinin! ho$ m%ch &ertilizer is needed per area, per Plant, and Per len!th
o& ro$.
( Con"ertin! &ertilizer dosa!es &rom $ei!ht to "ol%me.
>SE THE :ET/IC SLSTE:Q' It !reatl0 simpli&ies &ertilizer math and most
other calc%lations. E"en i& 0o%r co%ntr0 doesn4t %se metrics, it4s $ell $orth 0o%r
$hile to %se it &or calc%lation p%rposes. Here4s ho$ to 6%ic1l0 con"ert some
common non2metric %nits into metric *see Appendi A also-'
l+s.Jacre X 8.83 R 1!Jha; 8 l+. R 9.<D< 1! R <D< !
8 acre R a+o%t <999 s6. meters *act%all0 <9<K m3- 8 manzana *Latin America- R
E999 s6. meters
<# R 89 cm
K# R 39 cm
83# R 79 cm
8?# R <9 cm,
8K# 2 <D cm
3<# R ?9 cm
79# R ED cm
73# R K9 cm,
7?# R H9 cm
<9# R 899 cm
CONFE/TING /ECO::ENDATIONS F/O: AN N, P
3
O
D
, 5
3
O )ASIS TO
THE ACT>AL 5IND AND A:O>NT OF FE/TILIBE/ NEEDED
As eplained in Chapter H, &ertilizer recommendations aren4t al$a0s !i"en in
terms o& act%al 1ind and amo%nt o& &ertilizer. Instead, technical +roch%res and
soil testin! la+s o&ten !i"e recommendations in terms o& the amo%nt o& N, P
3
O
D
,
and 5
3
O needed per hectare. In this case, it4s %p to 0o% and the &armer to
determine $hat 1ind and amo%nt o& act%al &ertilizer is needed per hectare to
match this recommendation. Let4s r%n thro%!h a practice pro+lem'
P/O)LE: 8' A &armer4s cooperati"e has A%st recei"ed the &ollo$in! &ertilizer
recommendation &or a one hectare tomato &ield.

7g*hectare

% &+,- '+,
At transplanting ./ 0/ ./
?st sidedressing at
2/ da(s
2/

+nd sidedressing
at >/ da(s
2/

2rd sidedressing at
9/ da(s
2/

S%ppose the local a! s%ppl0 store has the &ollo$in! &ertilizers a"aila+le. =hat
1ind $ill +e needed, ho$ m%ch o& each, and $hat $ill the cost +e@
Fertilizers A1aila#le Cost per -/ 7g Sac7
?--?--?- B?0
?>-+/-/ B?-
+/-?/-- B?.
?/-+/-?/ B?>
+/-/-/ B?+
SOL>TION
STEP 8' Let4s +e!in $ith the <92K92<9 transplantin! recommendation. The &irst
thin! to do is to loo1 at the ratio o& N'P
3
O
D
'5
3
O and then loo1 &or a &ertilizer $ith
a similar ratio. The <92K92<9 &i!%re has a ratio o& 8'3'8. Loo1 at the &ertilizer list
and 0o%4ll see that 89239289 is the onl0 one $ith a 8'3'8 ratio, so it4s the one that4
K needed.
STEP 3' There are 3 $a0s to &ind o%t ho$ m%ch 89239289 is needed to s%ppl0 the
<9 1! N, K9 1! P
3
O
D
, and <9 1! 5
3
O needed &or the hectare'
a. Lo% 1no$ that each 899 1! o& 89239289 s%pplies 89 1! o& N, 39 1! o& P
3
O
D
, and
89 1! o& 5
3
O. There&ore <99 1! $o%ld s%ppl0 <92K92<9.
+. The second $a0 is to di"ide the percenta!e o& N, P
3
O
D
or 5
3
O in the 89239289
into the respecti"e amo%nt o& N, P
3
O
D
, or 5
3
O needed. Let4s do this %sin! N'
<9 1! N needed R <9 1! R <99 1! 89239289 needed 89G N in the &ertilizer 9.89
Note that 0o% $o%ld !et the same ans$er %sin! P
3
O
D
or 5
3
O so it4s onl0 necessar0
to do this di"ision once.
STEP 7' No$ $hat a+o%t the N sidedressin!s o& 79 1! act%al N each@ In this case,
choosin! the ri!ht &ertilizer is eas0, since the 392929 &ertilizer is the onl0 one
containin! A%st N. To &ind o%t ho$ m%ch 392929 $ill +e needed to s%ppl0 the 79
1! o& N needed &or a sidedressin!, %se one o& the 3 methods in STEP 3 as &ollo$s'
a. Lo% 1no$ that each 899 1! o& 392929 s%pplies 39 1! o& N. 399 1! $o%ld s%ppl0
<9 1! N. It $o%ld ta1e 8D9 1! o& 392929 to s%ppl0 79 1! *i.e. 8D9 X 39G R 79-
+. Di"ide 39G into 79 1! $hich !i"es 0o% 8D9 1!.
There&ore, 7 sidedressin! o& 8D9 1! 392929 each $ill +e needed &or a total o& <D9
1!.
STEP <' Lo%4"e determined that <99 1! o& 89239289 and <D9 1! o& 392929 are
needed &or the hectare, so 0o% can no$ calc%late the cost'
.// 7g ?/-+/-?/ at B?>*?// 7g
C
B>. .-/ 7g
+/-/-/ at B?+*?// 7g C B-.
B??0
T,TA5
Lo% $on4t al$a0s +e a+le to &it a recommendation eactl0, +eca%se the ri!ht t0pe
o& &ertilizer ma0 not +e a"aila+le locall0. At an0 rate, 0o% don4t ha"e to +e eact,
since soil tests and recommendations aren4t 899G acc%rate an0$a0. )%t, do tr0
to !et $ithin 8923DG o& the amo%nts recommended. There4s nothin! $ron! $ith
ha"in! to appl0 more P than needed in order to s%ppl0 eno%!h 5 or "ice2"ersa; P
$on4t leach, and 5 is &airl0 immo+ile. Ho$e"er, a"oid p%ttin! too m%ch N on at
plantin! or leachin! losses ma0 +e hi!h.
Let4s loo1 at a sit%ation $here the &ertilizers don4t eactl0 &it the
recommendation *Pro+lem 3-'
P/O)LE: 3' Soil test res%lts recommend that Fato% &ertilize her maize &ield as
&ollo$s'

7g per hectare

% &+,- '+,
At planting 2/ -/ ./
At 7nee high
stage
-/

Gi"en the &ollo$in! &ertilizers, ho$ m%ch and $hat 1ind $ill +e needed per
hectare@
Fertilizers A"aila+le
8323<283
87287239
8<28<28<
8K2<?29
772929
SOL>TION
STEP 8' Let4s +e!in $ith the plantin! recommendation o& 79 1! N, D9 1! P
3
O
D
,
and <9 1! 5
3
O. That4s a 7'D'< ratio *or 8'8.E'8.7-. None o& the a"aila+le &ertilizers
has this ratio, +%t 8323<283 is the closest $ith a 8'3'8' ratio.
STEP 3' Let4s &i!%re o%t ho$ m%ch 8323<283 is needed to s%ppl0 the 79 1! o&
initial N'
79 1! N needed J 83G N in &ertilizer R 3D9 1! 8323<283
3D9 1! o& 8323<283 per hectare $o%ld s%ppl0 79 1! N, ?9 1! P
3
O
D
and 79 1! 5
3
O.
This &alls short on 5
3
O. +0 a+o%t 3DG +%t r%ns o"er on P
3
O
D
a+o%t 39G This is
still satis&actor0. No$ $hat $o%ld happen i& $e tried to s%ppl0 the eact amo%nt
o& P
3
O
D
*D9 1!- %sin! 8323<283@'
D9 1! P
3
O
D
needed J 3<G P
3
O
D
in &ertilizer R 39K 1! 8323<283
39K 1!Jhectare o& 8323<283 s%pplies 3D2D923D $hich is a+o%t 39G less N and <9G
less 5
3
O. than called &or.
The 7rd option is to see ho$ m%ch 8323<283 it $o%ld ta1e to s%ppl0 the eact
amo%nt o& 5
3
O *<9 1!- called &or'
<9 1! 5
3
O needed J 83G 5
3
O in &ertilizer R 777 1! 8323<283
777 1! o& 8323<283Jhectare s%pplies <92K92<9 $hich is a+o%t 79G more N and
?9G more P
3
O
D
than called &or at plantin!. Lo% co%ld adA%st &or the etra N +0
appl0in! less in the sidedressin!, +%t there4s no $a0 to compensate &or the 79 1!
etra P
3
O
D
applied. Tr%e, some o& this ecess $ill +e a"aila+le to &%t%re crops, +%t
at the epense o& ha"in! to +%0 a+o%t 77G more 8323<283 compared to the 3D9
1! rate.
Th%s, o& the 7 options, the &irst one o& appl0in! 3D9 1! o& 8323<283 is +est.
STEP 7' No$ &or the N sidedressin!. The 772929 &ertilizer *ammoni%m nitrate- is
the onl0 strai!ht N so%rce, so it4s the one to %se. Calc%late the amo%nt needed to
s%ppl0 the D9 1! o& N as &ollo$s'
D9 1! N needed J 77G N in &ertilizer R 8D9 1! 772929 needed
SELECTING THE :OST ECONO:ICAL FE/TILIBE/
Lo% can4t compare a 8<28<28< and 89279289 &ertilizer on the +asis o& cost per %nit
o& n%trient &or 3 reasons'
( A 8'8'8 ratio &ertilizer ma0 +e +etter s%ited than a 8'7'8 ratio or "ice2"ersa,
dependin! on the soil and the crop.
( N, P
3
O
D
and 5
3
O. don4t necessaril0 cost the same per 1! o& n%trient.
Ho$e"er, 0o% can compare strai!ht &ertilizers ha"in! A%st one o& the #)i! 7#,
s%ch as %rea *<D2929- "s. ammoni%m s%l&ate *392929-, or sin!le s%perphosphate *92
3929- "s. triple s%perphosphate *92<K29-. Lo% can also compare NP or NP5
&ertilizers ha"in! the same ratio, s%ch as 89239289 and 8323<283.
=hen comparin! se"eral so%rces o& the same n%trient as to cost, $hat co%nts is
the cost per 1! o& n%trient, not the cost per sac1. Let4s r%n thro%!h a practice
pro+lem'
P/O)LE: 7' =hich o& the 7 N &ertilizers +elo$ is the most economical so%rce o&
N, other considerations aside@
Fertilizer D % Cost per -/ 7g sac7
Urea .-D B?03//
Ammonium
nitrate
22D B?-30.
Ammonium
sulfate
+?D B??34>
SOL>TION' Altho%!h ammoni%m s%l&ate has the lo$est cost per sac1, it4s not
necessaril0 the cheapest. The real test is the cost per 1! o& N. Here4s ho$ to
calc%late it'
>/EA' A D9 1! sac1 contains 33.D 1! o& N *D9 1! <DG-
S8K.99 J 33.D 1! N R S9.K9 per 1! o& N
A::ONI>: NIT/ATE' A D9 1! sac1 contains 8?.D 1! o& N.
S8D.K< J 8?.D 1! N R S9.H?J1! o& N
A::ONI>: S>LFATE' A D9 1! sac1 contains 89.D 1! o& N.
S88.E? J 89.D 1! N R S8.83J1! o& N
This ma1es %rea the cheapest so%rce o& N. >s%all0, the &ertilizer $ith the hi!hest
content o& the n%trient $ill +e the most economical d%e to lo$er shippin! costs
per %nit o& act%al n%trient. Ho$e"er, this isn4t al$a0s the case.
Other &actors ma0 +e important aside &rom the cost per 1! o& n%trient. Altho%!h
it4s the most economical *in this case-, %rea is a "er0 hi!hl0 concentrated so%rce
o& N; &armers %n&amiliar $ith %rea ma0 o"er2appl0 it and $aste mone0 or inA%re
their crops. As &or ammoni%m s%l&ate, it4s o&ten the most costl0 per 1! o& N, 0et it
mi!ht +e the +est choice &or a s%l&%r2de&icient soil, %nless another s%l&%r2+earin!
&ertilizer $ere %sed at plantin! time. On the other hand, ammoni%m s%l&ate is
considera+l0 more acid &ormin! in its lon!term e&&ect on soil pH than either %rea
or ammoni%m nitrate *see Ta+le H28-. Ammoni%m nitrate is a 6%ic1er2actin! N
so%rce than ammoni%m s%l&ate or %rea, +eca%se hal& o& its N is alread0 in the
mo+ile, nitrate &orm. It mi!ht +e the +est choice $here a crop is sho$in! N
de&icienc0 s0mptoms *see Appendi E- or $here sidedressin! has +een dela0ed.
:IXING DIFFE/ENT FE/TILIBE/S
There are cases $here it4s necessar0 to mi 3 or 7 di&&erent &ertilizers to!ether in
order to o+tain the n%trient ratio needed to s%it a recommendation. For eample'
P/O)LE: <' S%ppose that the etension o&&ice recommends the &ollo$in!
&ertilizer rates &or ca++a!e at plantin! time'
7g per hectare
% &+,- '+,
./ 0/ ./
The local a! s%ppl0 store has the &ollo$in! &ertilizers on hand'
8D28D28D
8?23929
92<D29 *triple s%perphosphate-
Is it possi+le to meet the <92K92<9 recommendation +0 miin! 3 or more o& these
to!ether@ I& so, $hat proportions are needed, and $hat is the res%ltin! &ertilizer
&orm%la@
SOL>TION' The <92K92<9 recommendation has a 8'3'8 ratio. The 8D28D28D
pro"ides NP5 in a 8'8'8 ratio. =hat4s needed is to increase the amo%nt o& P +0
addin! some 92<D29 &ertilizer. The easiest $a0 to calc%late the amo%nts needed is
to set %p a $or1sheet as &ollo$s'

% &+,- '+,3
?// 7g ?--?--
?-
C ?- 7g ?- 7g ?- 7g
E 7g /-.--/ C / 7g ?- 7g / 7g
?// @ E 7g C ?- 7g 2/ 7g ?- 7g
This $or1sheet helps "is%alize the pro+lem. It sho$s that in order to end %p $ith
a 8'3'T N'P
3
O
D
'539 ratio, $e need to com+ine 899 1! o& 8D28D28D $ith eno%!h 92
<D29 to add 8D etra 1! o& P
3
O
D
To &i!%re o%t ho$ m%ch 92<D29 is needed, di"ide
8D +0 <DG'
8D 1! P
3
O
D
needed J <DG P
3
O
D
R 77 1! 92<D29
No$ let4s &ill in the $or1sheet'

% &+,- '+,
?// 7g ?--?--
?-
C ?- 7g ?- 7g ?- 7g
22 7g /-.--/ C / 7g ?- 7g / 7g
?22 7g C ?- 7g 2/ 7g ?- 7g
This sho$s that miin! 899 1! o& 8D28D28? $ith 77 1! o& 92<D29 $ill prod%ce 877
1!. o& a &ertilizer $ith a 8'3'8 ratio.
Determinin! the tr%e &orm%la o& the mi' At &irst !lance, it $o%ld seem that the
&orm%la o& the mit%re is no$ 8D27928D, +%t it isn4tQ =hat 0o%4"e made is 877 1!
o& &ertilizer containin! 8D 1! N, 79 1! P
3
O
D
, and 8D 1! 5
3
O. )%t, &ertilizer
&orm%las are +ased on n%trient content in percent *i.e. 1! o& N, P
3
O
D
, and 5
3
O
per 899 1! o& &ertilizer-. Here4s ho$ to deri"e the tr%e &orm%la'
Tr%e &orm%la R 8D27928D J 8.77 R 88.3D233.D288.3D
CA>TIONQ' Not all Fertilizers can +e :ied
( Lime in an0 &orm sho%ld not +e mied $ith ammoni%m N &ertilizers or %rea. It
$ill ca%se loss o& N as ammonia !as.
( Lime sho%ld also not +e mied $ith an0 chemical &ertilizer containin! P,
+eca%se it ma0 con"ert some o& the P into an insol%+le, %na"aila+le &orm.
DETE/:INING HO= :>CH FE/TILIBE/ IS NEEDED PE/ A/EA, PE/
PLANT, O/ PE/ LENGTH OF /O=
Fertilizer recommendations are %s%all0 !i"en on a per hectare *or per acre- +asis.
Ho$e"er, s%ch &i!%res are o& little %se %nless 0o% 1no$ ho$ to determine the
&ollo$in!'
( Ho$ m%ch act%al &ertilizer is needed, !i"en the size o& the partic%lar &ield@
( I& the &ertilizer $ill +e applied %sin! an LP *localized placement- method, ho$
m%ch &ertilizer is needed per plant i& the hole or hal&2circle method is %sed, or
ho$ m%ch per len!th o& ro$ i& it4s +anded@ *These 3 application methods $ere
co"ered earlier in this chapter.-
TA)LE H2D FE/TILIBE/ :IXING G>IDE
)LAN5 )OXES R Fertilizers $hich can +e mied.
)OXES =ITH AN #X# R Fertilizers $hich can +e mied onl0 shortl0 +e&ore %se.
)OXES =ITH A #O# R Fertilizers $hich cannot +e mied &or chemical reasons.
EXA:PLES' Ammoni%m s%l&ate sho%ld not +e mied $ith lime.
>rea can +e mied $ith sin!le or triple s%perphosphate shortl0 +e&ore %se.
CALC>LATING THE A:O>NT OF FE/TILIBE/ NEEDED PE/ A/EA
For Lar!e Fields' :eas%re the &ield4s dimensions and calc%late the area. I& its
shape is not rectan!%lar, 0o% ma0 ha"e to di"ide it %p into trian!les and
rectan!les and determine the area o& each. *The area o& a trian!le e6%als 8J3 the
+ase X the hei!ht.-
P/O)LE: D' S%ppose soil tests recommended appl0in! 3D9 1!Jha o& 8?23929 to
!rain sor!h%m at plantin! time. Ho$ m%ch is needed &or a &ield meas%rin! <9
K9 meters@
SOL>TION' One hectare R 89999 s6. meters
The &ield4s size R 7399 s6. meters *<9 K9-
7399 s6. meters X 3D9 1!Jha J 89999 s6, meters R K9 1! o& 8?23929 needed
For Small Plots' The metric s0stem has some "er0 hand0 shortc%ts. A "er0 %se&%l
one is'
899 5GJHA R 89 G/A:S PE/ SP. :ETE/
In other $ords, to con"ert &rom 1!Jha to !Js6. meter, A%st drop a zero and chan!e
1! to !ramsQQ Here4s $h0 it $or1s'
899 1!Jha R 899,999 !ramsJhectare
899,999 !rams J 89,999 s6. meters R 89 !ramsJs6. meter
P/O)LE: ?' I& the etension ser"ice recommends +roadcastin! 89279289 at ?99
1!Jha &or n%rser0 seed+eds $hen no compost or man%re are a"aila+le, ho$ man0
!rams o& 8927989 $o%ld +e needed &or a n%rser0 seed+ed meas%rin! 8 X D
meters@
SOL>TION' ?99 1!Jha R ?9 !Js6. meter
8 D meters R D s6. meters
D s6. meters ?9 !Js6. meter R 799 !rams o& 89279289 needed
CALC>LATING THE A:O>NT OF FE/TILIBE/ NEEDED PE/ PLANT
NOTE' The calc%lations +elo$ are +ased on open &ields $ith e"enl02spaced ro$s
r%nnin! across them. =here #intensi"e# !ardenin! is %sed *+eds $ith alle0$a0s
aro%nd them-, another &actor needs to +e considered. =e4ll co"er this a&ter
eplainin! the open2&ield calc%lations.
I& %sin! the hal&2circle or hole method o& placement, the &armer $ill need to 1no$
ho$ m%ch &ertilizer is needed per plant *or !ro%p o& plants i& the04re in #hills#-.
There are se"eral $a0s o& doin! this, +%t most people a!ree that the &ollo$in!
method is the simplest'
P/O)LE: E' An!elita is plannin! to plant a &ield o& maize $ith ro$s H9 cm
apart. She4ll plant 7 seeds per hole $ith ?9 cm +et$een holes, %sin! a plantin!
stic1. The etension o&&ice recommends appl0in! 8K2<?29 at 8D9 1!Jha. I& she %ses
the hole method o& &ertilizer placement, ho$ man0 !rams o& 8K2<?29 sho%ld each
seed !ro%p recei"e@
SOL>TION' 8D9 1!Jha R 8D !Js6. meter
9.H m X 9.? m R 9.D< s6. meters o& space +elon!in! to each plant !ro%p.
9.D< X 8D !Js6. meter R K.8 !rams o& 8K2<?29 per plant !ro%p
NOTE' As 0o% see, it4s not necessar0 to 1no$ the &ield4s size in order to arri"e at
the a+o"e ans$er. All that4s needed is the rate per hectare and the in2ro$ and
+et$een2ro$ spacin!s. O& co%rse, 0o% need to 1no$ the &ield4s area *or the total
n%m+er o& plants- to &i!%re o%t ho$ m%ch &ertilizer to +%0.
P/O)LE: K' A comm%nal !arden proAect has r%n o%t o& man%re and is a+o%t to
transplant ca++a!e on a &ield meas%rin! 39 39 meters. The local etension
o&&ice recommends appl0in! 8?23929 at 3D9 1!Jha %sin! the hal& circle method.
Ho$ m%ch &ertilizer sho%ld each plant recei"e i& the ro$s are ?9 cm apart $ith
<9 cm +et$een plants in the ro$@
SOL>TION' 3D9 1!Jha R 3D !Js6. meter
9.? m X 9.< m R 9.3< s6. meters space occ%pied +0 each plant
9.3< X 3D !Js6. meter R ? !rams o& 8?23929 needed per plant.
A:O>NT NEEDED PE/ :ETE/ OF /O= LENGTH
NOTE' The calc%lations +elo$ are +ased on open &ields $ith e"enl02spaced ro$s
r%nnin! across them. =here #intensi"e# !ardenin! is %sed *+eds $ith alle0$a0s
aro%nd them-, another &actor needs to +e considered. =e4ll co"er this a&ter
eplainin! the open2&ield calc%lations.
=hen +andin! &ertilizer, &armers need to 1no$ ho$ m%ch to appl0 per meter o&
ro$ len!th *or per ro$-. As $ith per2plant dosa!es, there are se"eral $a0s o&
calc%latin! this, +%t the simplest and 6%ic1est method is sho$n +elo$'
P/O)LE: H' S%he0la is a+o%t to appl0 an N sidedressin! to her !rain sor!h%m
&ield. The recommendation is 399 1!Jha o& 382929 *ammoni%m s%l&ate-. The ro$s
are spaced H9 cm apart, and she plans to appl0 the &ertilizer in a +and r%nnin!
do$n the middle o& each ro$. Ho$ man0 !rams o& 382929 sho%ld +e applied per
meter o& ro$ len!th@
SOL>TION
STEP 8' 399 1!Jha R 39 !Js6. meter
STEP 3' All the &ertilizer in a meter o& ro$ len!th $ill +e con&ined in a +and. I&
0o% can calc%late the area +elon!in! to that one meter o& ro$ len!th, 0o% can
&i!%re o%t the dosa!e per meter'
Area +elon!in! to 8 meter o& ro$ len!th R 8 meter o& len!th X 9.H m o& $idth R
9.H s6. meters
STEP 7' 9.H s6. meters X 39 !Js6. meter R 8K ! o& 382929 meter.
ADU>STING CALC>LATIONS FO/ THE )ED2AND2ALLEL SLSTE:
All the a+o"e dosa!e calc%lations $ere +ased on the open2&ield s0stem o& crop
spacin! $here the ro$s are spaced e6%all0 across the &ield. *)oth s0stems are
eplained and ill%strated in Chapter <.- Ho$e"er, i& 0o% %se the same ass%mption
$hen calc%latin! dosa!es &or intensi"el02!ro$n crops *+ed2and2alle0 s0stem-
0o%4ll end %p si!ni&icantl0 shortchan!in! the plants on &ertilizer. Here4s $h0'
( In the intensi"e s0stem, "e!eta+les are !ro$n %nder "er0 close spacin!s $ithin
+eds *&lat, raised, or s%n1en- that are separated +0 alle0$a0s %sed &or all &oot and
e6%ipment tra&&ic.
( Since "irt%all0 all root !ro$th ta1es place in the soil $ithin the +eds, no
&ertilizer *or $ater- sho%ld +e applied to the alle0s.
( The &ertilizer recommendation per hectare is the same &or +oth s0stems, )>T
this means that the dosa!e per plant, per meter o& ro$ len!th, and per planted
area *i.e. +eds onl0- $ill +e hi!her in the intensi"e s0stem to ma1e %p &or the &act
that no &ertilizer is applied to the alle0$a0s.
( Another $a0 o& eplainin! this is that plants !ro$n %nder the intensi"e s0stem
are spaced m%ch more closel0 than $hen !ro$n on an open2&ield +asis. )eca%se
o& this, more &ertilizer is needed per s6. meter o& act%al +ed. Since alle0$a0s
aren4t &ertilized, the amo%nt o& &ertilizer per hectare ends %p the same &or +oth
s0stems.
NOTE' Lo% ma0 thin1 that $ater rates need to +e similarl0 increased per s6.
meter, +%t not so. That4s +eca%se the hi!h plant densities %nder +ed2and2alle0
croppin! shade more o& the soil s%r&ace and th%s lo$er e"aporation losses o&
$ater; this helps compensate &or the increased %sa!e ca%sed +0 the hi!her plant
densit0. Also, the plant lea"es shade each other more, $hich lo$ers transpiration
*act%al plant %sa!e-.
Let4s !o o"er ho$ to calc%late &ertilizer dosa!es &or +ed2and2alle0 croppin!.
PE/ A/EA *)ed2and2Alle0 S0stem-
In the open2&ield s0stem, 899 1! per hectare e6%als 89 !rams per s6. meter. No$,
in the intensi"e s0stem 0o% ha"e 3 t0pes o& area' +ed area *planted area- and
alle0 area. This means that 899 1!Jha o& &ertilizer doesn4t $or1 o%t to 89 !Js6.
meter o& act%al +ed area. I& 0o% applied 89 ! per s6. meter to all the +ed area,
0o%4d end %p appl0in! m%ch less than 899 1!Jha, +eca%se o& not &ertilizin! the
alle0 area $hich can e6%al a+o%t 792<9G o& the total area.
Let4s r%n thro%!h a practice pro+lem on ho$ to adA%st &or this'
P/O)LE: 89' A1+ar has 89 +eds each meas%rin! 8 89 meters; the04re
separated &rom each other +0 alle0$a0s ?9 cm $ide on all < sides. He is told to
appl0 8323<283 at 799 1!Jha at plantin! and $ants to 1no$ ho$ m%ch &ertilizer to
+%0.
SOL>TION
STEP 8' 799 1!Jha R 79 !Js6. meter o& total area *+eds N alle0s-
STEP 3' Determine the total area *+eds N alle0s- occ%pied +0 A1+ar4s plots'
It4s acc%rate eno%!h to ass%me that each 8 89 meter +ed is separated &rom
another +0 a ?9 cm alle0$a0 on each o& its < sides.
There&ore each +ed alon! $ith its associated portion o& alle0 *hal& the $idth o&
each alle0- meas%res 8.? 89.? meters $hich e6%als 8E s6. meters.
89 +eds 8E s6. meters *+ed N alle0- R 8E9 s6. m
STEP 7' Calc%late the amo%nt o& 8323<283 needed &or all the +eds, +ased on the
total area in"ol"ed.
8E9 s6. m 79 !Js6. m R D899 ! R D.8 1! o& 8323<283 needed
STEP <' Calc%late the amo%nt needed per +ed'
D.8 1! are needed +%t $ill +e applied onl0 to the +eds themsel"es, not alle0s.
D899 !rams R D89 !rams 8323<283 needed per +ed 89 +eds
No$ 0o% can see ho$ m%ch di&&erence there is in dosa!es. I& 0o% had +ased the
dosa!e on 79 !Js6. m and %sed +ed area alone, each +ed $o%ld recei"e 799 !rams
o& &ertilizer *89 79- instead o& the D89 !rams it reall0 deser"esQ
PE/ PLANT *)ed2and2Alle0 S0stem-
In this case, the easiest $a0 to calc%late the %p$ardl02adA%sted rate is to co%nt
the n%m+er o& plants on a +ed and then di"ide that into the amo%nt o& &ertilizer
needed per +ed as $e did &or A1+ar4s plot a+o"e.
P/O)LE: 88' S%ppose A1+ar is plannin! to transplant ca++a!e on the +eds
a+o"e. He4ll r%n 7 ro$s do$n the len!th o& each +ed $ith <9 cm +et$een ro$s
and <9 cm +et$een plants in the ro$s. Ho$ m%ch 8323<283 sho%ld each ca++a!e
transplant recei"e i& he plans to %se the hal&2circle method and the same rate per
hectare *799 1!-@
SOL>TION
STEP 8' Find ho$ ho$ man0 ca++a!e plants $ill &it on each +ed'
3D plants $ill &it in each ro$ *3< spaces $ith <9 cm +et$een them, $ith the &irst
and last plant +ein! 39 cm &rom the +ed4s end-. ED total plantsJ+ed. *See Fi!%re H2
7.-
FIG>/E H27' A 8 89 m +ed can accomodate ED ca++a!e plants spaced <9 cm
<9 cm.
STEP 3' Find the dosa!e per plant'
In the a+o"e pro+lem, $e determined that A1+ar needs D89 ! o& 8323<283 per
+ed.
D89 ! R ?.K ! 8323<283 per plant ED ca++a!e plants
No$, let4s compare this dosa!e to that o+tained &rom %sin! open2&ield s0stem
math calc%lations as in Pro+lems E and K a &e$ pa!es +ac1'
799 1!Jha R 79 !Js6. m
9.< m *<9 cm- X 9.< m R 9.8? s6. m o& space +elon! to each plant
9.8? 79 !Js6. m R <.K !rams *too little-
I& A1+ar applied <.K ! per plant, each +ed $o%ld recei"e onl0 7?9 ! *instead o&
D89 !-, $hich $o%ld $or1 o%t to a+o%t 383 1!Jha instead o& the recommended
799 1!Jha. *I& each +ed occ%pies 8E m3 *incl%din! alle0$a0 area-, there $o%ld +e
a+o%t DKK +eds in a hectare; DKK 7?9 ! R 383 1!.-
A:O>NT PE/ :ETE/ OF /O= LENGTH *)ed2and2Alle0 S0stem-
In this case, the simplest method is to &ind the amo%nt o& &ertilizer needed per
+ed as in Pro+lem 89 and di"ide this +0 the n%m+er o& ro$s per +ed.
P/O)LE: 83' S%ppose A1+ar decides to plant lea& lett%ce on the 89 +eds in
Pro+lem 89 ! in ro$s 39 cm apart r%nnin! the short $a0 *i.e. 8 meter lon! ro$s-.
>sin! the same &ertilizer rate *799 1!Jha o& 8323<283, ho$ m%ch sho%ld +e
applied per meter o& ro$ i& the +and method is %sed@
SOL>TION
STEP 8' Find o%t ho$ man0 ro$s $ill &it on each 8 89 m +ed'
D9 ro$s $ith <H ro$ spaces each o& 39 cm $ill &it on a 8 89 m +ed. Each o& the 3
end ro$s $ill +e 89 cm in &rom the +ed4s ed!e.
STEP 3' Determine the dosa!e per meter o& ro$ *i.e. one ro$ in this case-'
From Pro+lem 89, $e 1no$ that D89 !rams are needed per +ed, so'
D89 !rams R 89.3 ! o& 8323<283 per D9 ro$s one meter o& ro$ len!th
A!ain, let4s compare this intensi"e s0stem dosa!e $ith that o+tained +0 %sin!
open2&ield calc%lations as in Pro+lem H'
799 1!Jha o& 8323<283 R 79 !Js6. meter
9.3 m *39 cm- X 8 meter R 9.3 s6. meters space +elon!in! to each meter2lon! ro$
9.3 s6. meters 79 !Js6. m R ? ! o& 8323<283 per s6. m *too lo$-
CONFE/TING FE/TILIBE/ DOSAGES F/O: A =EIGHT TO A FOL>:E
)ASIS
TA)LE H2?
FE/TILIBE/ =EIGHT TO FOL>:E CO:PA/ISONS

)rams of Fertilizer :Fual
to:

Fertilizer ?// cc6ml8 ? 5e1el Ta#lespoonful 6?-
cc8
Ammonium sulfate ?/0-?+/ g ?>-?0 g
Ammonium nitrate 0- g ?2 g
6prilled8

Ammonium nitrate ?// g ?- g
6granulated8

Urea 4--49 g ??-?+ g
?>-+/-/ 90-?/. g ?- g
?0-.>-/ 92-?/0 g ?.-?> g
&otassium chloride ?//-?+/ g ?--?0 g
6/-/->/8

Single
superphosphate
?/9-??, g ?>-?0 g
Triple
superphosphate
?//-??+ g ?--?4 g
9ost other %& and 92-??/ g ?.-?>3- g
%&' fertilizers

As sho$n +0 the a+o"e dosa!e pro+lems, the amo%nt o& chemical &ertilizer
needed per plant or per meter o& ro$ is s%rprisin!l0 small, %s%all0 ran!in! &rom
D279 !rams. To ass%re acc%rac0 and cost2e&&ecti"eness, &armers sho%ld not
attempt to estimate s%ch small amo%nts. Ho$e"er, since &e$ &armers or
!ardeners ha"e eas0 access to acc%rate scales, it4s "er0 help&%l i& to con"ert the
&ertilizer dosa!e &rom $ei!ht to "ol%me. This doesn4t mean simpl0 con"ertin!
!rams to c%+ic centimeters, either. The dosa!e sho%ld +e !i"en in terms o& a
commonl0 a"aila+le "ol%me meas%re s%ch as a'
( U%ice can
( T%na &ish can
( )ottle cap lid
( :atch +o
( Spoon size commonl0 %sed in the area
This can +e done +0 %sin! a !ram scale *chec1 the post o&&ice or a pharmac0- to
meas%re the densities o& the common &ertilizers a"aila+le and comparin! them to
$ater *8 !ram R 8 cc or 8 ml-. Then 0o% can meas%re the "ol%me o& commonl0
a"aila+le containers li1e those a+o"e and calc%late ho$ man0 !rams o& &ertilizer
the0 hold.
Fertilizers "ar0 a lot in their densit0, dependin! on t0pe, +rand, and moist%re
content. I& no scales are a"aila+le, %se Ta+le H2?.
Here4s a practice pro+lem &or con"ertin! &ertilizer $ei!ht to "ol%me'
P/O)LE: 87' Ho$ man0 !rams o& %rea $o%ld a 839 cc A%ice can hold@
SOL>TION' 899 cc o& %rea $ei!hs E<2EH !rams.
*839 cc J 899 cc- X E<2EH ! R KH2HD ! o& %rea in one A%ice can

EXPAND TEXT
EXPAND CONTENTS
DETACH
NO HIGHLIGHTING
Common chemical &ertilizers and their characteristics
Common chemical &ertilizers and their characteristics
NOTE' Appendi D lists the n%trient content o& common chemical &ertilizers.
NIT/OGEN FE/TILIBE/S
Nearl0 all chemical N &ertilizers contain either ammoni%m *NH<N- or nitrate
*NO72- nitro!en. The nitrate &orm is 6%ic1er actin! +eca%se it4s more
immediatel0 mo+ile *leacha+le- and reaches the roots sooner i& applied to a
!ro$in! crop. )%t, remem+er that ammoni%m is rather 6%ic1l0 con"erted to
mo+ile nitrate in $arm soils *all o& it $ithin E289 da0s-.
N &ertilizers and soil pH' :ost N &ertilizers containin! ammoni%m N ha"e a
!rad%al acidi&0in! e&&ect on the soil; this $ill +e co"ered in detail &arther alon!.
Loss o& N +0 "olatilization' All ammoni%m N &ertilizers $ill release ammonia !as
$hen applied to soils $ith pH4s a+o"e E.9. I& applied to the soil s%r&ace,
si!ni&icant amo%nts ma0 +e lost to the atmosphere. >rea &ertilizer releases
ammonia at an0 pH. Losses can +e a"oided +0 placin! s%ch &ertilizers a &e$
centimeters deep.
Common Nitro!en Fertilizers
Ammoni%m Nitrate *7727<G N-
( Contains hal& nitrate N and hal& ammoni%m N, so is 6%ic1er actin! than
strai!ht ammoni%m &ertilizers.
( A+sor+s moist%re and +ecomes sl%sh0 in hi!h h%midit0; 1eep +a!s $ell sealed.
( Can +ecome eplosi"e i& mied $ith oil. /eleases o0!en $hen eposed to &ire
$hich enco%ra!es com+%stion.
Ammoni%m Nitrate $ith Lime *3?G N
( Same as a+o"e +%t is coated $ith dolomitic limestone to ne%tralize the acid2
&ormin! properties o& re!%lar ammoni%m nitrate and to red%ce moist%re
a+sorption.
Ammoni%m S%l&ate *39238G N-
( In addition to N, it contains 37G s%l&%r *or ?HG s%l&ate-.
( Good handlin! and stora!e properties
>rea *<D2<?G N-
( The hi!hest2stren!th solid &orm o& N.
( Its N is initiall0 in the amide &orm *NH3- +%t is con"erted to ammoni%m in
moist $arm soils $ithin 823 da0s *a $ee1 or t$o in cooler soils- and then to
nitrate +0 soil +acteria.
( >nli1e ammoni%m N &ertilizers, %rea is mo+ile and leacha+le %ntil its amide N
has +een con"erted to ammoni%m.
( /e!ardless o& soil pH, some N $ill +e lost to the atmosphere as ammonia !as i&
%rea is le&t on the soil s%r&ace. Losses are hi!hest a+o"e a soil pH o& E.9 and can
reach 7DG $hen %rea is +roadcast *spread- o"er !rass past%res. Losses are
minimal, ho$e"er, i& rain&all or irri!ation occ%r $ithin a &e$ ho%rs a&ter s%ch
s%r&ace applications.
( Can #+%rn# *inA%re- seeds and seedlin!s i& placed too close d%e to release o& &ree
ammonia.
( :a0 sometimes contain ecessi"e amo%nts o& +i%ret * toic to plants- d%e to
&a%lt0 man%&act%rin!. )i%ret is most toic $hen %rea is mied $ith $ater and
applied &oliarl0 * spra0ed on the lea"es-.
( Tends to a+sor+ moist%re, +%t not as m%ch as ammoni%m nitrate.
( Can +e &ed to r%minants li1e cattle as a protein so%rce; the r%men +acteria
con"ert the N to protein; )>T %rea can +e toic at an0thin! +%t "er0 lo$ le"els
and m%st +e &ed in com+ination $ith certain other &eeds. Fine!ar is the antidote.
Sodi%m Nitrate *8?G N- *Chilean nitrate-
( Its nitrate N is readil0 leacha+le.
( >nli1e most ammoni%m N &ertilizers, it has a !rad%al +asic e&&ect on the soil.
( Can easil0 +%rn seeds and seedlin!s +eca%se o& its "er0 hi!h salt content.
*Fertilizer +%rn is co"ered &arther alon!-
( A+sor+s moist%re and can +ecome sl%sh0 in hi!h h%midit0; 1eep +a!s $ell
sealed.
( Epensi"e +eca%se o& its lo$ n%trient content relati"e to shippin! costs.
Anh0dro%s Ammonia *K3G N-
( Eists as a li6%id %nder press%re and a !as $hen released into the soil.
( The hi!hest2stren!th N &ertilizer a"aila+le.
( :%st +e inAected into moist soil a+o%t 8D cm deep to a"oid ammonia loss.
( Fer0 dan!ero%s; inhalation and &acial epos%re can ca%se +lindness and &atal
l%n! dama!e.
( /e6%ires special stora!e and application e6%ipment.
A6%a Ammonia *38G N-
( :ade +0 dissol"in! ammonia !as in $ater. Has stron! odor o& ammonia. >nli1e
anh0dro%s ammonia, it doesn4t ha"e to +e applied or stored %nder press%re.
( Sho%ld +e applied at least <2D cm +elo$ the soil s%r&ace to a"oid loss o&
ammonia.
( /e6%ires special stora!e and application e6%ipment.
( /eleases irritatin! &%mes.
Potassi%m Nitrate *87292<<' See %nder 5 &ertilizers.
Ammoni%m Phosphate Fertilizers' See %nder P &ertilizers.
Time2/elease or Slo$2/elease N Fertilizers' The04re coated $ith special
s%+stances that red%ce their sol%+ilit0 and slo$ do$n the rate at $hich soil
+acteria con"ert ammoni%m to nitrate. Leachin! losses are m%ch lo$er, +%t
the04re %s%all0 too epensi"e to +e cost e&&ecti"e &or &armers.
PHOSPHO/>S FE/TILIBE/S
The phosphor%s in most chemical &ertilizers comes &rom reactin! roc1 phosphate
$ith s%l&%ric, phosphoric, or nitric acids or $ith anh0dro%s ammonia.
=ater2sol%+le "s. Citrate2sol%+le "s. Insol%+le P
A chemical &ertilizer4s P can eist in se"eral &orms $hich sho%ld +e listed on the
la+el'
=ater2sol%+le P' This t0pe o& P is sol%+le in $ater and mo"es 6%ic1l0 o%t o& the
!ran%les into the soil. )%t, that doesn4t mean it $ill +e 899 percent a"aila+le to
plants, +eca%se it4s still s%+Aect to the soil4s a+ilit0 to tie %p *&i- P. =hen P
&ertilizer is placed in a +and, hole, or hal&2circle near the ro$, it4s recommended
that at least hal& the &ertilizer4s P +e $ater2sol%+le. =hen P &ertilizer is +roadcast
on soils +elo$ pH E.9, $ater sol%+ilit0 isn4t important, +eca%se soil acidit0 helps
dissol"e the P.
Citrate2sol%+le P' This t0pe o& P isn4t sol%+le in $ater +%t $ill dissol"e in a $ea1
acid sol%tion. Heat2treated roc1 phosphate contains lar!el0 citrate2sol%+le P
$hich is %sa+le onl0 in acidic soils.
Insol%+le P' This t0pe o& P isn4t sol%+le in $ater or a $ea1 acid sol%tion, so it has
"er0 limited a"aila+ilit0 to plants. :ost o& the P in ra$ roc1 phosphate is
insol%+le and onl0 "er0 slo$l0 a"aila+le, e"en in acid soils.
Common Phosphor%s Fertilizers
Sin!le S%perphosphate *8?233G P
3
O
D
, K283G S-' A common P &ertilizer and also
a !ood s%l&%r so%rce. A+o%t EKG o& its P is $ater sol%+le *see a+o"e-. :ade &rom
roc1 phosphate and s%l&%ric acid.
Triple or Concentrated S%perphosphate *<32<KG P
3
O
D
-' Has m%ch more P than
sin!le s%per +%t onl0 827G s%l&%r. A+o%t K<G o& its P is $ater sol%+le. :ade
&rom roc1 phosphate and phosphoric acid.
Ammoni%m Phosphate Fertilizers
There are 7 classes, all $ith 899G $ater2sol%+le P'
( :ono2ammoni%m phosphate *882<K29, 832?829-' Tends to $or1 +etter than all2
ammoni%m phosphate on al1aline soils. Lo$ in s%l&%r. Less li1el0 to ca%se
+%rnin! than DAP.
( Di2ammoni%m phosphate *8?2<K29, 8K2<?29, 382D729-' A !ood P so%rce +%t can
inA%re seeds or seedlin!s d%e to ammonia release i& placed too close.
( Ammoni%m Phosphate s%l&ate *8?23929, 8727H29-' )oth are also !ood so%rces o&
s%l&%r *H8DG S in 8?23929, EG S in 8727H29-.
:iscellaneo%s NP and NP5 Fertilizers' 3923929, 8<28<28<, 8323<283, etc.
Heat2treated /oc1 Phosphates' These "ar0 a lot in P content and are made +0
heat treatin! roc1 phosphate $hich !reatl0 increases its lo$ a"aila+ilit0. Its P
isn4t $atersol%+le +%t is citrate2sol%+le *see a+o"e- and $ill slo$l0 +ecome
a"aila+le in acid soils $hen +roadcast. It ma0 +e a cheap P so%rce in areas $ith
phosphate deposits +%t is onl0 recommended &or acid soils or $here or!anic
matter is "er0 hi!h. It sho%ld +e in a &inel0!ro%nd &orm and +e applied +0
+roadcastin! to promote the release o& its P thro%!h soil reaction. It doesn4t
+ecome a"aila+le 6%ic1l0 eno%!h to +e %sed as the sole so%rce o& added P &or
short2term ann%al crops li1e maize. :%ch hi!her rates are needed than &or more
a"aila+le &orms. =here m0corrhizae soil &%n!i are a+%ndant *see Chapter 8-,
the0 increase the a"aila+ilit0 o& roc1 phosphate to plant roots.
/a$ roc1 phosphate' See Chapter K.
)asic Sla! *K23DG P
3
O
D
- A +02prod%ct o& steel ma1in!. A+o%t ?92H9G o& its P is
citrate sol%+le, so it4s +est %sed on acid soils, m%ch li1e heat2treated roc1
phosphate. It has a !rad%al +asic e&&ect on soils.
POTASSI>: FE/TILIBE/S
The most common 5 &ertilizers are'
( Potassi%m chloride *m%riate o& Potash-' Contains a+o%t ?9G2?3G 5
3
O
( Potassi%m s%l&ate' Contains a+o%t <K2D9G 5
3
O and 8KG S.
( Potassi%m nitrate *87292<<-.
( NP5 &ertilizers li1e 89239289, etc.
NOTE' To+acco, potatoes, and s$eet potatoes are sensiti"e to hi!h amo%nts o&
chlorides $hich a&&ect crop 6%alit0. In this case, potassi%m chloride sho%ld +e
a"oided or minimized.
SECONDA/L N>T/IENT FE/TILIBE/S *Calci%m, :a!nesi%m, S%l&%r-
Calci%m and :a!nesi%m
E"en acid soils ha"e eno%!h calci%m &or most crops. =here limin! is needed and
ma!nesi%m is also de&icient, dolomitic limestone *a mit%re o& calci%m and
ma!nesi%m car+onates- sho%ld +e %sed. Limin! $ith calci%m onl0 can also
pro"o1e a :! de&icienc0. G0ps%m has no e&&ect on soil pH and is o&ten %sed to
s%ppl0 calci%m to crops $ith hi!h needs, s%ch as pean%ts, $itho%t raisin! the pH.
:a!nesi%m s%l&ate *epsom salts; H288G :!- and potassi%m ma!nesi%m s%l&ate
*88G :!- are other so%rces and ha"e no e&&ect on soil pH. The :! content o&
&ertilizers is o&ten epressed in terms o& ma!nesi%m oide *:!O-; the con"ersion
is' :! 8.?? R :!O :!O 9.? 2 :!
S%l&%r
Some common &ertilizers are !ood S so%rces li1e sin!le s%perphosphate *K283G
S-, ammoni%m s%l&ate *3723<G S-, 8?23929 *H28DG S-, and potassi%m s%l&ate
*8EG S-. >s%all0, the hi!her the NP5 content o& the &ertilizer, the lo$er the S
content *i.e. triple s%perphosphate contains onl0 827G S-.
S%l&%r de&iciencies are on the increase in non2ind%strial areas, d%e to the !ro$in!
%se o& hi!h2anal0sis &ertilizers $ith lo$er S contents. It4s %s%all0 a !ood idea to
incl%de a s%l&%r+earin! &ertilizer in a &ertilizer pro!ram, especiall0 on acid, sand0
soils. Or!anic &ertilizers are a !ood so%rce o& S. Appendi D lists the S content o&
chemical &ertilizers.
The S content o& &ertilizers is o&ten epressed in terms o& SO< *s%l&ate-. The
con"ersion is' S 7 R SO<
:IC/ON>T/IENT FE/TILIBE/S
Some NP and NP5 &ertilizers ma0 ha"e added amo%nts o& micron%trients *chec1
the la+el- +%t %s%all0 too little to correct de&iciencies. I& a meanin!&%l amo%nt o&
a micron%trient is present, it ma0 +e indicated +0 a &o%rth n%m+er in the
&ertilizer &orm%la, re&errin! to it.
Separate micron%trient &ertilizers li1e copper s%l&ate, &erro%s s%l&ate *iron-, zinc
s%l&ate, man!anese s%l&ate, and +ora can +e %sed &or soil or &olia!e *lea&-
application. /emem+er that soil tie2%p o& added man!anese and iron is o&ten a
pro+lem on de&icient soils *see Chapter ?-.
:icron%trient chelates' Speciall0 s0nthesized &orms o& micron%trients called
chelates are a"aila+le and %sed $here soil tie2%p pro+lems are serio%s. A chelate
has a special molec%lar str%ct%re that protects the micron%trient &rom +ein! tied
%p.
Some &%n!icides li1e :ane+ *containin! man!anese- and Bine+ *containin! zinc-
can s%ppl0 these micron%trients in conA%nction $ith a disease control pro!ram.
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,"% Toos
&nvironmental 6ealth, Safety 7 .isk 8anagement
F"rtii)"r C'"(ica Sa$"t*
(mmonia fertilizers are widely used because of their effectiveness in getting large amounts of nitrogen into the soil. (nhydrous
ammonia fertilizer is essentially dry ammonia gas compressed into li%uid form. This material is very harmful if accidentally spilled or
sprayed onto body surfaces. It can cause blindness if it gets into the eyes. (lso, high concentrations of ammonia gas in the air are
very irritating to the lungs. (lways use appropriate personal protective e%uipment and e!ercise rigorous care when handling,
applying, and storing such to!ic or irritating materials.
Safety Precautions
8ost ammonia fertilizer accidents occur when the material is being transferred from one tank to another. 3ne of the maor causes of
accidents is hoses coming loose or bursting.
&!ercise care in the handling and use of ammonia fertilizer by doing the following:
(lways wear chemical goggles and ade%uate skin cover.
Inspect e%uipment before each day9s work and correct any abnormal conditions.
)ater is the first aid treatment of choice when ammonia gets into the eyes or on the skin. In case of mishap, flush affected
areas for ,+ minutes and get medical help as soon as possible.
8ake sure all valves, lines, and connections are secure in order to reduce the chance of either leaks or being doused
during transfer.
Precautions hen or!ing with Anhydrous Ammonia
/se good e%uipment specially designed for handling anhydrous ammonia.
2eep your e%uipment in good repair. )orn hoses, loose connections, and other defects can cause accidents.
1ollow the prescribed se%uence of operations for connecting to, filling, and disconnecting from the applicator tank.
#ever leave the e%uipment during the transfer operation.
(fter filling the applicator tank, close all valves.
Storing Ammonium "itrate
The guidelines listed below must be followed when storing ammonium nitrate fertilizer:
#ot more than :- tons of ammonium nitrate shall be stored.
Storage buildings shall have ade%uate ventilation.
(ll flooring in storage and handling areas shall be of noncombustible material, without open drains or traps.
Buildings and structures shall be dry and free from water seepage through the roof, walls, and floors.
Bags of ammonium nitrate shall not be stored within ;- inches of the storage building walls and partitions.
The height of piles shall not e!ceed *- feet. The width of piles shall not e!ceed *- feet or the length +- feet.
(isles shall be provided to separate piles by a clear space of not less than ; feet in width.
(mmonium nitrate shall be stored separately from flammable or combustible materials 4e.g. paper, rags, hay, oils".
Broken bags, spilled material, and discarded containers shall be promptly gathered and disposed.
$rohibit smoking where ammonium nitrate is stored.
1ire control devices such as a water hose or portable fire e!tinguishers must be available in the storage area.

Fertilizer Application

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Fertilizer Application

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METHODS OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION

The different methods of fertilizer application are as follows:

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