Introduction to

Fertilizers
Prepared by
Dr. Mohammad Rakib Uddin
What is fertilizer?
A fertilizer is any material of natural
or synthetic origin that is applied to
soils or to plant tissues to supply one
or more plant nutrients essential to
the growth of plants.
Three main nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium
• Nitrogen (N), the main constituent of proteins, is essential for growth and development in plants.
Supply of nitrogen determines a plant’s growth, vigour, colour and yield

• Phosphorus (P) is vital for adequate root development and helps the plant resist drought (long period with
no rain). Phosphorus is also important for plant growth and development, such as the ripening of seed and
fruit
• Potassium (K) is central to the photosynthesis of crops. Potassium helps improve crop quality and
crop resistance to lodging, disease and drought.

In addition, the secondary nutrients sulphur, magnesium and calcium are required for optimum crop
growth.

- Sulphur is especially important in the initial growth stages, to produce essential amino acids,
proteins, and oils
- Magnesium is needed for photosynthesis, converting light into chemical energy for nutritional
purposes
- Calcium is particularly important for the yield, quality and shelf life of fruit and vegetables

Each plant nutrient has unique physiological functions which cannot be replaced by any other nutrient.
 Basic forms of fertilizers
• Liquid fertilizers are often diluted with water.
Spreading them is similar to watering your garden,
usually done with a hose attachment.
• Liquid fertilizer is fast acting, more
controlled, and can be used in many different
capacities throughout the season. Spraying
your plants with liquid fertilizer is known as
"foliar feeding" and it is the quickest way to
get nutrition your plants.

• Powdered fertilizers also need water to be productive.

Usually they are spread by hand and watered to
complete absorption.

• Granular lawn fertilizers can easily be spread on top of

soil. These nutrient pack granules will be soaked into
your garden over time as you water it.
• Granular fertilizers are usually slow-release.
They can come in pellets or coarse powders
that are meant to break down slowly over a
period of months with every watering.
 Differences in Summary
Granular Fertilizer
•More cost effective in bulk
•Easy to store, and keep
•More efficient for heavy applications
•Used at planting and as side dress
•Slow-release (provides doses of nutrients
for months)
Liquid Fertilizer
•Easy to apply
•Easy to blend to specific dilutions
•Uniform applications
•Foliar spraying is the quickest
way to correct deficiencies
•Can be applied at planting and
mid-season
•Can be blending with plant
protection liquids
 Raw Materials
• Nitrogen source –
Natural gas(CH4) AMMONIA
Air(N2) (NH3)

• Phosphorus -Sulfur, Coal, Phosphate Rock

• Potassium – Pottassium Chloride (KCl)
• Calcium -limestone
• Magnesium - dolomite
• Sulfur is another material that is mined and added to fertilizers
• Other mined materials include iron from ferrous sulfate, copper,
and molybdenum from molybdenum oxide.