FERTILIZER Fertilizer (or fertiliser) is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials)

that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants.[1] A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use.[2] They are essential for high-yield harvest: European fertilizer market is expected to grow to 15.3 billion by 2018.[3] Mined inorganic fertilizers have been used for many centuries, whereas chemically synthesized inorganic fertilizers were only widely developed during the industrial revolution. Increased understanding and use of fertilizers were important parts of the pre-industrialBritish Agricultural Revolution and the industrial Green Revolution of the 20th century. Inorganic fertilizer use has also significantly supported global population growth it has been estimated that almost half the people on the Earth are currently fed as a result of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use.[4] Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions: six macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca),magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S); seven micronutrients: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn),molybdenu m (Mo), and zinc (Zn). The macronutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant tissue in quantities from 0.15% to 6.0% on a dry matter (0% moisture) basis (DM). Micronutrients are consumed in smaller quantities and are present in plant tissue on the order of parts per million (ppm), ranging from 0.15 to 400 ppm DM, or less than 0.04% DM.[5][6] Only three other macronutrients are required by all plants: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These nutrients are supplied by water and carbon dioxide. The nitrogen-rich fertilizer ammonium nitrate is also used as an oxidizing agent in improvised explosive devices, sometimes called fertilizer bombs, leading to sale regulations.[7] Research and Markets: Fertilizer in North America 07/09/2012 11:06:00 AM Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/fm7mpl/fertilizer_in_nort) has announced the addition of the "Fertilizer in North America" report to their offering. Fertilizer in North America industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market size (value 2007-11, and forecast to 2016). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market. Essential resource for top-line data and analysis covering the North America fertilizer market. Includes market size data, textual and graphical analysis of market growth trends, leading companies and macroeconomic information. Highlights - The fertilizer market volume (measured in tonnes) is the annual agricultural consumption of manufactured fertilizer containing nutrients nitrogen (N), potash (K2O), and phosphates (P2O5). The market is valued at farmer's retail price, taking into account any applicable taxes and subsidized price reductions. The currency

conversions used in this report have been calculated using constant 2011 annual average exchange rates. - The North American fertilizer market had total revenue of $14.8 billion in 2011, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.4% between 2007 and 2011. - Market consumption volumes decreased with a CARC of -2.5% between 20072011, to reach a total of 22.8 million tonnes in 2011. - The performance of the market is forecast to accelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 4.3% for the five-year period 2011 - 2016, which is expected to drive the market to a value of $18.3 billion by the end of 2016. Features Save time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the size, growth, and leading players in the fertilizer market in North America Use the Five Forces analysis to determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of the fertilizer market in North America Leading company profiles reveal details of key fertilizer market players' global operations and financial performance Add weight to presentations and pitches by understanding the future growth prospects of the North America fertilizer market with five year forecasts Macroeconomic indicators provide insight into general trends within the North America economy