"A fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients."
Substances added to soil or plants to provide nutrients for growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Types of fertilizers: Different types of fertilizers including organic, chemical, and biofertilizers and their advantages and disadvantages.
Soil nutrient management: How to manage soil nutrients, including choosing the appropriate fertilizer, and conducting soil testing.
Fertilizer application techniques: Different methods of applying fertilizer such as broadcasting, deep placement, and drip irrigation.
Fertilizer formulations: Different formulations of fertilizer such as granular, liquid, and slow-release.
Nitrogen fertilizers: The importance of nitrogen as a plant nutrient, different types of nitrogen fertilizers, and the benefits of using them.
Phosphorus fertilizers: The importance of phosphorus for plant growth, different types of phosphorus fertilizers, and the benefits of using them.
Potassium fertilizers: The importance of potassium for plant growth, different types of potassium fertilizers, and the benefits of using them.
Fertilizer management practices: Best management practices for fertilizer application, including timing, rate, and placement.
Fertilizer programs: Developing a fertilizer program that maximizes plant growth while minimizing environmental impact.
Fertilizer regulations: Regulations governing the use of fertilizers, including the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Fertilizer quality control: Quality control measures to ensure that fertilizer products meet standards and are safe for use.
Fertilizer distribution and market trends: Key players in the fertilizer industry, market trends, and distribution channels.
Environmental impacts of fertilizers: The environmental impacts of fertilizers, including soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable fertilizer practices: Sustainable fertilization practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, and using natural fertilizers.
Nutrient management planning: Developing a nutrient management plan that balances the needs of crops and the environment.
Synthetic Fertilizers: These are chemically produced fertilizers that provide essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to plants. Typically, these types of fertilizers are made from non-renewable sources like natural gas or mined minerals.
Organic Fertilizers: These are fertilizers made from natural sources like compost or animal manure. These fertilizers are generally safer for the environment and provide nutrients to plants at a slower rate than synthetic fertilizers.
Liquid Fertilizers: These are fertilizers that are typically mixed with water and applied to plants through irrigation or spraying. They are commonly used for foliar feeding, which is the process of directly applying nutrients to the leaves of plants.
Slow-Release Fertilizers: These fertilizers release nutrients over a longer period of time, which reduces the need for frequent fertilization. They are commonly used in areas with poor soil quality or where fertilization is difficult.
Foliar Fertilizers: These are fertilizers that are sprayed directly on plant leaves. They are typically used to provide nutrients to plants that absorb nutrients poorly through their roots.
Granular Fertilizers: These are fertilizers that come in small granules, making them easier to apply and measure. They are typically used in large-scale agriculture or for turf management.
Controlled-Release Fertilizers: These fertilizers are designed to release nutrients over a longer period of time, reducing the need for frequent fertilization. They are commonly used in greenhouse or hydroponic settings.
Ammonia-Based Fertilizers: These fertilizers are made from ammonia, which is typically derived from natural gas. They are commonly used for crops that require large amounts of nitrogen, like corn or wheat.
Phosphate Fertilizers: These fertilizers are made from phosphate rock, which is mined from the earth. They are commonly used to provide phosphorus to plants, which is essential for root growth and flower development.
Potash Fertilizers: These fertilizers are made from potash, which is mined from underground salt deposits. They are commonly used to provide potassium to plants, which is essential for overall plant health and disease resistance.
"Fertilization focuses on three main macro nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)."
"Farmers apply these fertilizers in a variety of ways: through dry or pelletized or liquid application processes, using large agricultural equipment or hand-tool methods."
"Historically fertilization came from natural or organic sources: compost, animal manure, human manure, harvested minerals, crop rotations, and byproducts of human-nature industries."
"After innovations in plant nutrition, an agricultural industry developed around synthetically created fertilizers."
"Nitrogen-fixing chemical processes, such as the Haber process invented at the beginning of the 20th century, led to a boom in using nitrogen fertilizers."
"Increased use of nitrogen fertilizers has been a crucial component of the increased productivity of conventional food systems as part of the 'Green Revolution'."
"The use of artificial and industrially-applied fertilizers has caused environmental consequences such as water pollution and eutrophication due to nutritional runoff; carbon and other emissions from fertilizer production and mining; and contamination and pollution of soil."
"Various sustainable-agriculture practices can be implemented to reduce the adverse environmental effects of fertilizer and pesticide use."
"A fertilizer (American English) or fertiliser (British English)..."
"Fertilizers may be distinct from liming materials or other non-nutrient soil amendments."
"Compost, animal manure, human manure, harvested minerals, crop rotations, and byproducts of human-nature industries."
"Starting in the 19th century, after innovations in plant nutrition, an agricultural industry developed around synthetically created fertilizers."
"Increased use of nitrogen fertilizers... 800% increase between 1961 and 2019."
"This transition was important in transforming the global food system, allowing for larger-scale industrial agriculture with large crop yields."
"Various sustainable-agriculture practices can be implemented to reduce the adverse environmental effects of fertilizer and pesticide use..."
"The Haber process invented at the beginning of the 20th century..."
"Water pollution and eutrophication due to nutritional runoff... carbon and other emissions from fertilizer production and mining... contamination and pollution of soil."
"Increased productivity of conventional food systems (more than 30% per capita) as part of the so-called 'Green Revolution'."
"Fish processing waste, or bloodmeal from animal slaughter..."