Agro 21

Fundamental of Crop Production

Name: Rhesty P. Nuñez Date Submitted: December 11, 2018
Lab Schedule: Tuesday 1:00-4:00 Score:

Exercise no. 4

Fertilizer, Fertilizer Calculation and Their Applications

INTRODUCTION
A fertilizer is a natural synthetic, chemical based substance that is used to enhance plant growth
and fertility. Fertilizers may also enhance water retention and filter any excess liquid, hence
enhancing soil effectiveness. Fertilizers typically offer the three major macronutrient potassium,
phosphorus and nitrogen. Fertilizers may also add secondary nutrients such as sulfur magnesium,
and calcium to the soil or growing media.
When applying fertilizers, it is important to note these numbers in an effort to balance plant
needs. Then you need to consider fertilizer application rates. Fertilizer application rates are
dependent upon the formula and the major nutrients needs to the plant. The most important
nutrient is nitrogen. The standard nitrogen fertilizer application rate is 0.1 to 0.2 pounds per 100
sq feet. This translate into 0.5 to 1 pound ammonium sulfate, 0.3to 0.6 pounds of ammonium
nitrate or 0.2 to 0.4 pounds of urea.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To identify and describe the different forms of fertilizer materials.
2. To be able to compute the amount of fertilizer materials needed given the area,
sources of fertilizers and rate of application.
3. To acquire some skills in fertilizer application.

Results and discussion

Materials Chemical Percent Color Texture

Formula N, P2O5,K2O

Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2 SO4 21-0-0 white

 Urea CO (NH2)2 46-0-0 white Granular
Solophos Ca (H2PO4)2 0-20-0 Gray
Muriate of Potash KCl 0-60-0 red Powdery
Ammonium (NH4)3 PO4 16-20-0 brown
phosphate

Complete NPK 14-14-14 Brown gray Granular

QUESTIONS and Answers:

1. Define the following:
a. Fertilizer material or carrier
Contains important quantities of no more than one of the primary plant nutrients;
phosphate or potash.

b. Mixed Fertilizer
A fertilizer containing 2 or more of the elements of nitrogen, phosphorus, and
p[potassium (NPK) which are essential for promoting plant growth and high crop
yields

c. Complete fertilizer
A fertilizer that contains the 3 main plant nutrients (NPK)

d. Fertilizer grade
Is an expression referring to the legal guarantee of the available plant nutrients
expressed as a percentage by weight in a fertilizer.

2. Explain the efficient use of fertilizer through proper fertilizer placement or application.
One of the most important ways of efficiently to conserve fertilizer energy
is making efficient use of fertilizer. Economists generally recommended that
increasing amounts of fertilizer should only be used when the additional value of
the yield realized exceeds the cost of nutrients applied. Efficient use can be
defined as maximizing yield with a minimum amount of fertilizer. The greatest
efficiency usually results from the first increments of fertilizer addition.
Additional increments of fertilizer or nutrients usually results in lower efficiency
but may be profitable.
3. What are the different methods in fertilizer application or placement? Differentiate one
from another.

Broadcasting - It refers to spreading fertilizers uniformly all over the field. 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.

Broadcasting at sowing or planting (Basal application)-

The main objectives of broadcasting the fertilizers at sowing time are to uniformly
distribute the fertilizer over the entire field and to mix it with soil.

Top dressing

It is the broadcasting of fertilizers particularly nitrogenous fertilizers in closely sown

crops like paddy and wheat, with the objective of supplying nitrogen in readily available form to
growing plants.

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.

The most common methods of placement are as follows:

Plough sole placement

1. In this method, fertilizer is placed at the bottom of the plough furrow in a continuous
band during the process of ploughing.

a) Drilling

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.
Although 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.

b) Side dressing

It refers to the spread of fertilizer in between the rows and around the plants. The common
methods of side-dressing are

1. Placement 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. Placement of fertilizers around the trees like mango, apple, grapes, papaya etc.

c) Band placement

If refers to the placement of fertilizer in bands.

Band placement is of two types.

i) Hill placement

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 placement

When 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.

d) Pellet application

1. It refers to the placement of nitrogenous fertilizer in the form of pellets 2.5 to 5 cm deep
between the rows of the paddy crop.

Foliar application

It refers to the spraying of fertilizer solutions containing one or more nutrients on

the foliage of growing plants. Several nutrient elements are readily absorbed by leaves
when they are dissolved in water and sprayed on them. The concentration of the spray
solution has to be controlled, otherwise serious damage may result due to scorching of
the leaves. Foliar application is effective for the application of minor nutrients like iron,
copper, boron, zinc and manganese. Sometimes insecticides are also applied along with
fertilizers.

4. In an intercropping experiment, the rate of fertilizer application to corn is 90-60-30 kg N,

P2O5, K2O. Determine the amount of complete fertilizer (14-14-14),urea (45-0-0) and
ordinary phosphate (0-20-0) you are going to every treatment with an area of 55 square
meter
5. Explain the practical value of asking you to calculate the weight of one milk can or one
tablespoon in relation to fertilizer calculation and application.
 Agro 21
Fundamental of Crop Production
Name: Jerome Pondolanan Date Submitted: December 11, 2018
Lab Schedule: Tuesday 1:00-4:00 Score:

Exercise no. 4

Fertilizer, Fertilizer Calculation and Their Applications

INTRODUCTION
A fertilizer is a natural synthetic, chemical based substance that is used to enhance plant growth
and fertility. Fertilizers may also enhance water retention and filter any excess liquid, hence
enhancing soil effectiveness. Fertilizers typically offer the three major macronutrient potassium,
phosphorus and nitrogen. Fertilizers may also add secondary nutrients such as sulfur magnesium,
and calcium to the soil or growing media.
When applying fertilizers, it is important to note these numbers in an effort to balance plant
needs. Then you need to consider fertilizer application rates. Fertilizer application rates are
dependent upon the formula and the major nutrients needs to the plant. The most important
nutrient is nitrogen. The standard nitrogen fertilizer application rate is 0.1 to 0.2 pounds per 100
sq feet. This translate into 0.5 to 1 pound ammonium sulfate, 0.3to 0.6 pounds of ammonium
nitrate or 0.2 to 0.4 pounds of urea.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To identify and describe the different forms of fertilizer materials.
2. To be able to compute the amount of fertilizer materials needed given the area, sources
of fertilizers and rate of application.
3. To acquire some skills in fertilizer application.

Results and discussion

Materials Chemical Percent Color Texture

Formula N, P2O5,K2O
 Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2 SO4 21-0-0 white

Urea CO (NH2)2 46-0-0 white Granular

Solophos Ca (H2PO4)2 0-20-0 Gray

Muriate of Potash KCl 0-60-0 red Powdery

Ammonium (NH4)3 PO4 16-20-0 brown

phosphate
Complete NPK 14-14-14 Brown gray Granular

QUESTIONS and Answers:

1. Define the following:
a. Fertilizer material or carrier
Contains important quantities of no more than one of the primary plant nutrients;
phosphate or potash.

b. Mixed Fertilizer
A fertilizer containing 2 or more of the elements of nitrogen, phosphorus, and
p[potassium (NPK) which are essential for promoting plant growth and high crop
yields

c. Complete fertilizer
A fertilizer that contains the 3 main plant nutrients (NPK)

d. Fertilizer grade
Is an expression referring to the legal guarantee of the available plant nutrients
expressed as a percentage by weight in a fertilizer.

2. Explain the efficient use of fertilizer through proper fertilizer placement or application.
One of the most important ways of efficiently to conserve fertilizer energy
is making efficient use of fertilizer. Economists generally recommended that
increasing amounts of fertilizer should only be used when the additional value of
the yield realized exceeds the cost of nutrients applied. Efficient use can be
defined as maximizing yield with a minimum amount of fertilizer. The greatest
efficiency usually results from the first increments of fertilizer addition.
Additional increments of fertilizer or nutrients usually results in lower efficiency
but may be profitable.
3. What are the different methods in fertilizer application or placement? Differentiate one
from another.
 Broadcasting - It refers to spreading fertilizers uniformly all over the field. 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.

Broadcasting at sowing or planting (Basal application)-

The main objectives of broadcasting the fertilizers at sowing time are to uniformly
distribute the fertilizer over the entire field and to mix it with soil.

Top dressing

It is the broadcasting of fertilizers particularly nitrogenous fertilizers in closely sown

crops like paddy and wheat, with the objective of supplying nitrogen in readily available form to
growing plants.

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.

The most common methods of placement are as follows:

Plough sole placement

1. In this method, fertilizer is placed at the bottom of the plough furrow in a continuous band
during the process of ploughing.

a) Drilling

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.
Although 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.

b) Side dressing

It refers to the spread of fertilizer in between the rows and around the plants. The common
methods of side-dressing are

1. Placement 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. Placement of fertilizers around the trees like mango, apple, grapes, papaya etc.
c) Band placement

If refers to the placement of fertilizer in bands.

Band placement is of two types.

i) Hill placement

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 placement

When 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.

d) Pellet application

1. It refers to the placement of nitrogenous fertilizer in the form of pellets 2.5 to 5 cm deep
between the rows of the paddy crop.

Foliar application

It refers to the spraying of fertilizer solutions containing one or more nutrients on

the foliage of growing plants. Several nutrient elements are readily absorbed by leaves
when they are dissolved in water and sprayed on them. The concentration of the spray
solution has to be controlled, otherwise serious damage may result due to scorching of
the leaves. Foliar application is effective for the application of minor nutrients like iron,
copper, boron, zinc and manganese. Sometimes insecticides are also applied along with
fertilizers.

4. In an intercropping experiment, the rate of fertilizer application to corn is 90-60-30 kg

N, P2O5, K2O. Determine the amount of complete fertilizer (14-14-14),urea (45-0-0) and
ordinary phosphate (0-20-0) you are going to every treatment with an area of 55 square
meter
5. Explain the practical value of asking you to calculate the weight of one milk can or one
tablespoon in relation to fertilizer calculation and application.