"A fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients."
Study of different types of fertilizers and their application rates to achieve optimal plant growth while minimizing environmental impacts, including synthetic fertilizers, organic fertilizers, and amendments (e.g., lime, gypsum).
Soil composition: Understanding the basic composition of soil and the nutrients required for plant growth.
Nutrient cycling: The process by which nutrients are taken up, used, and then recycled back into the soil.
Macronutrients: The primary nutrients needed by plants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Micronutrients: The secondary nutrients needed by plants, including zinc, iron, and manganese.
Soil pH: The measurement of acidity or alkalinity of soil, which affects nutrient availability.
Organic fertilizers: Fertilizers derived from natural sources, such as compost or animal waste.
Inorganic fertilizers: Fertilizers made through chemical processes, such as ammonium nitrate or superphosphates.
Application methods: The different ways fertilizers can be applied, including surface application, subsurface injection, and foliar spraying.
Fertilizer calculations: Determining the amount of fertilizer needed based on soil test results and crop requirements.
Environmental impact: The potential negative effects of fertilizers on soil health, water quality, and ecosystem health.
Fertilizer management: Best practices for managing and applying fertilizers to optimize plant growth and minimize environmental impact.
Fertilizer regulations: Laws and regulations related to the production, sale, and use of fertilizers.
Organic Fertilizers: These fertilizers are of natural origin, and examples include manure, bone meal, seaweed extract, and compost. They help to improve soil texture, water holding capacity, and overall soil health. Organic fertilizers may take longer to release nutrients, but they help to sustain healthy soil ecosystems.
Inorganic Fertilizers: These are synthetic or chemically formulated fertilizers, and examples include ammonium nitrate, urea, and superphosphate. They are rich in readily available nutrients and essential for the sustainable production of crops. However, excessive use of inorganic fertilizers may lead to contamination of water resources, soils and adversely affect soil health and ecosystems.
Liquid Fertilizers: Liquid fertilizers are soluble and can be applied using irrigation systems or as foliar sprays. Examples include seaweed extracts, liquid fish emulsion, and liquid plant food. They are easily absorbed by plants and provide quick nutrients uptake.
Slow-release Fertilizers: These fertilizers release nutrients slowly over a prolonged period. They are important for sustained crop nutrition, reduction of nutrient losses due to volatilization, and leaching. Examples include coated urea, polymer-coated fertilizers, and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers.
Foliar Fertilizers: These are fertilizers applied directly on plant leaves, and examples include liquid seaweed, liquid fish emulsion, and other amino acid-based foliar fertilizers. They help to improve plant growth, foliar growth, and nutrient uptake.
Controlled-Release Fertilizers: As the name suggests, these fertilizers release nutrients at a slow, controlled rate depending on the soil conditions such as temperature, pH, and moisture status. Examples include slow-release nitrogen fertilizers, sulfur-coated fertilizers, and polymer-coated fertilizers.
Mineral Fertilizers: These fertilizers are rich in macronutrients and micronutrients and include potassium salts, superphosphates, and ammonium nitrate. They are essential for the growth and development of crops.
Phosphorus Fertilizers: Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient required for plant growth and development, and examples of phosphorus fertilizers include triple superphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, and ammonium polyphosphate.
Nitrogen Fertilizers: Nitrogen is a key macronutrient essential for crop growth and development. Examples of nitrogen fertilizers include ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and urea.
Potassium Fertilizers: Potassium is another macronutrient required for healthy plant growth, and examples of potassium fertilizers include potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, and potassium sulfate.
"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..."