PRINCIPLES OF

FERTILIZER USE
Criteria for Essentiality
• That the is required for the completion of vegetative and
reproductive life cycle o the plant
• That the deficiency or absence of an element can be corrected
only by the addition of the element in question and that no other
element can be substitute
• That the element is directly involved in the nutrition of the plant
and perform specific functions
Ionic forms of nutrients that are available for plant use:
Elements Available Form
1. Carbon (C) CO2
2. Hydrogen (H) H2O, H2
3. Oxygen (O) O2
4. Nitrogen (N) NH4+, NO3-
5. Phosphorus (P)
H2PO4-,HPO4=, PO4=
6. Potassium (K)
K+
7. Calcium (Ca)
Ca++
8. Magnesium (Mg)
Mg++
9. Sulfur (S)
SO4=
10. Iron (Fe)
11. Manganese (Mn) Fe++
12. Zinc (Zn) Mn++
13. Copper (Cu) Zn++
14. Boron (B) Cu++
15. Molybdenum (Mo) BO3=
16. Chlorine (Cl) MoO4=
Cl -
MACROELEMENTS: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, calcium,
magnesium, sulfur

MACRO – absorbed by plants in large amounts

Microelements: iron, managanese, boron,
molybdenum, copper, zinc, chlorine

MICRO – absorbed by plants in a small amounts

Nutrient Elements As They Occur in the
Soil
• Soil vary in their capacity to supply the mineral nutrients essential for plant
growth
• Factors responsible for this variation are
• Soil origin
• Stage of soil development
• Organic matter content
• Soil management practices
Nutrients elements may be presented in
any of the following
• Different soil minerals
• Soil organic matter
• Surfaces and structural frameworks of clay minerals
• Soil solution
Fate of Nutrient Elements in the Soil
• Crop removal
• Nutrients may be taken up by the plants and permanently removed from
the soil by crop removal
• Loss through run-off and erosion
• Run-off water carries with it soil materials and dissolved nutrient
elements
• Fixation
• Fixation of phosphorus , potassium and ammonium ions refers to the
conversion or transformation of available forms
• Phosphorus fixation is a result of its reaction with soil constituent leading
to the formation of insoluble compounds
• Soil microorganisms also make use of the soil nutrient especially nitrogen
Loss Through leaching
• It is a downward movement in the soil of free water resulting in
loss of soluble salts from the soil zone.

• Sandy soil has higher magnitude of leaching than clay soils

especially where rainfall is high because of faster percolation
of water and less capacity for the soil to absorb nutrients
Loss through volatilization
• Biological and chemical reactions in soil change the nutrients in gaseous forms
• Certain nutrients are loss by volatilization (evaporation into the air)
• Ex. Volatilization of nitrogen in the form of ammonia (NH3) especially when soil is
neutral or alkaline in reaction
• In denitrification, nitrate is changes into nitrogen gas (N2)

“Since all soils are subjected to numerous different mechanisms through which nutrients are
lost, it is almost impossible to find a soil that can supply all essential nutrients for plant
growth. Thus, addition of fertilizer is necessary.”
Definition of terms
• Fertilizer – any substance which is added to the soil to supply
those elements required in nutrition of plant.
• Fertilizer grade (analysis)- the minimum that m guarantee of the
plant nutrient content in terms of percentage total nitrogen (N)
available phosphorus (P or P2O5) and water soluble potassium
(K or K2O)
• Ammosul has a grade of 21% . This means tht for every 100 kg
of ammonium sulfate , there is 21 kg of available N.
Fertilizer Grades
• Oxide basis – commonly used, where contents of
fertilizer elements in fertilizer materials are expressed as
% P2O5 and K2O.
• Elemental basis- where contents of fertilizer elements
are expressed in terms of % N, %P and % K
Fertilizer grade can be expressed in both
forms
• To convert % P2O5 or %K2O to %P or %K
• %P= 0.436 X % P2O5
• %K= 0.829 X % K2O

• To convert %P or %K to % P2O5 or %K2O

• %P= 2.29 X % P2O5
• %K= 1.20 X % K2O
• Fertilizer ratio- refers to the relative percentage of N, P2O5 and
K2O in a fertilizer grade
• Example 14-14-14 has a ratio of 1:1:1 N-P2O5-K2O,
respectively
• Fertilizer recommendation- the recommended rate of fertilizer
application
• Usually expressed in kg N, kg P2O5 and kg K2O per hectare
• For example, 90-40-30, this indicate s that for this particular
soil , you need to apply 90 kg N, 40 kg P2O5, and 30 kg K2O per
hectare
• Fertilizer formula – refers to the quantity and analysis of
fertilizer materials which make up a mixed fertilizer
• Ex. Ammonium sulfate, urea, superphosphate , muriate of
potash
• Mixed fertilizer- fertilizer which contains two or all three of the
fertilizer elements. It is made by mixing 2 or 3 different fertilizer
materials .
• Filler- a material containing no fertilizer element and is added to
complete the weight of mixed fertilizers. Examples of filler
materials are sand , sawdust
• Hygroscopicity of fertilizer materials – the ability of fertilizer
materials to absorb water from the air
• Caking of fertilizer materials – moisture in the fertilizer absorbed
from the air dissolves the fertilizer material and forms saturated
salt solution
• As moisture content of the fertilizer material decreases and
temperature drops , the saturated solution crystallizes and
crystals knit together forming solid mass.
• Pressure also promote caking
FERTILIZER MATERIALS
• Fertilizer are either organicor inorganic that are added to the
soil to supply the plants with the nutrients elements that the soil
is incapable of supplying
• Organic materials are compounds containing carbon atom
( other than in the carbonate form which is considered inorganic)
major structural element
• Inorganic materials consist of chemical combinations (salts and
minerals) of two or more elements .
Organic Fertilizers
• It includes :

• Natural organic materials derived from the plants or

animals such as farm manures, crop residues, etc

• Synthetic organic materials which are organic

compounds like urea [CO (NH2)], calcium cyanamide
(CaCN2), and urea form
Natural organic elements
• Farm manure
• Is a mixture of excreta and soiled beddings that accumulate in stables and
barns
• Crop residues
• Plowing or burning the stalks and straw of grain crops in the field is a
common practice among vegetable growers
• About 40 kg N can be derived from a hectare of peanut hay and this
makes it a good crop residue to plow under
• Green manure
• Fertilizer value of green manure crops has not been fully appreciated .
This is bacause the crop should be plowed under at the flowering stage
Natural organic fertilizer
• Generally, natural organic fertilizers have the following characteristics
1. Low element content
1. Content of fertilizer nutrients varies with materials . Low nutrient content means greater cost per unit of nutrient
element applied.

2. Slow availability of nutrients

1. It requires microbial action to transform the complex organically –bound forms that cannot be taken up by the plants
into less complex organic or inorganic forms that can be assimilated by plants.

3. Limited supply
1. Normally limited and insufficient to provide the amount of nutrients needed by crop

4. Promote good physical condition

• OM makes the soil friable and loose, resulting in better soil aeration and drainage and making it easier for the roots to grow
• Physical condition of the organic matter itself makes it ideal for mixing it with inorganic fertilizers before application
Synthetic organic fertilizer
• Only UREA is commonly used in crop production
• Urea is commercially available as white crystalline powder or as fine granules
(pearls)
• Dissolves completely in water
• Urea is nearly neutral but it induces soil acidity because ammonium ion produced
by its hydrolysis
• In aerated (oxidized) soils, ammonium ion is nitrified and this nitrification leaves
hydrogen ions behind and results in increased soil acidity
• If applied at the soil surface, it may lost through volatilization
Inorganic fertilizer
• Inorganic fertilizer include
• Natural inorganic material such as Chilean nitrate of soda , rock phosphate and most of
potassium materials

• Synthetic inorganic materials- which are derived from chemical reaction of certain
raw materials such as petroleum, etc

• They are derived from minerals , atmospheric gases, water and other materials
• Ex. . Ammosul, superphosphate and ammonium phosphate
Inorganic fertilizers (including the synthetic
inorganic material) have the ff. characteristics
• Relatively high nutrient element content as compared with natural organic
fertilizers
• Readily soluble and application to the soil is therefore followed by rapid reaction
in soils and an immediate effect on plant growth
• These fertilizer materials generally display undesirable physical conditions . This
prevent prolonged storage and premixing with other inorganic materials
• Supply is almost unlimited , especially near areas mining or manufacturing
fertilizer materials
Inorganic fertilizer can be classified based on
the number of fertilizer element present
• Single element fertilizer
• A material containing only one fertilizer element

• Incomplete fertilizer
• One which contains two fertilizer elements

• Complete fertilizer
• Materials that contain all three major element , N, P
and K
Properties of Inorganic Materials
Commonly Used in the Philippines
• Anhydrous ammonia, NH3 (82% N)
• Ammonium Sulfate (NH4)2SO4 (20-21% N)
• Superphosphate (20% P2O5)
• Triple Superphosphate (45% P2O5)
• Muriate of Potash, KCl (6O% K2O)
• Sulfate of Potash (K2SO4) ( 50% K2O)
• Ammonium phosphate (ammophos), NH4H2PO4 or (NH4)2HPO4
• Complete Fertilizers
Properties of Inorganic Materials
Commonly Used in the Philippines
• Anhydrous ammonia, NH3 (82% N)
• Under normal atmospheric temperature and pressure, AHA (NH3) exist as pungent,
colorless gas. But upon compression and cooling it becomes a liquid about 60% as heavy
as water
• It is dissolved in water up to concentrations of 30% by weight of ammonia
• It is stored, transported and otherwise handled as a liquid by keeping it under pressure in
special tanks and pipes.
Properties of Inorganic Materials
Commonly Used in the Philippines
• Ammonium Sulfate (NH4)2SO4 (20-21% N)

• A colorless crystalline salt , often tinged slightly yellow by traces of arsenous

sulfate
• Highly soluble in water and increases with temperature
• Does not take up too much water from the air but it may do so if any sulfuric
acid is present
• H2SO4 has great affinity for water
• Ammosul solution has an acid reaction (1% soln=pH of 4.6 @ 20 degrees C)

• It requires about 110 g of CaCO3 to neutralize 100 g ammosul

Properties of Inorganic Materials
Commonly Used in the Philippines
• Superphosphate (20% P2O5)

• It is grayish mineral substance and can be obtained either as granules or

powder
• Has light odor arising from impurities
• The active constituent of superphosphate is a water soluble substance ,
monohydrate of monocalcium phosphate .
• Partially dissolved in water since it contains other substances that are
relatively insoluble like calcium sulfate
Properties of Inorganic Materials
Commonly Used in the Philippines
• Triple Superphosphate (45% P2O5)
• Present almost wholly in the form of monocalcium orthophosphate and is
readily soluble in water
• Like ordinary superphosphate , it is not highly hygroscopic
• Dark grayish substance commonly obtained as granules
• Can be mixed with with MP and sulfate of potash
• Mixing it to ammonium compounds, urea and nitrates should be done
only at the time of use to avoid risk of caking
• Mixing with basic slag or slime may reduce the availability of P2O5
Properties of Inorganic Materials
Commonly Used in the Philippines
• Muriate of Potash, KCl (6O% K2O)
• Pure potassium chloride is a colorless crystalline compound but
the fertilizer grade is sometimes rose-colored due to the
presence of small quantities of iron clay.
• Fairly soluble in water
• May be mixed with all other fertilizer but it should only be
mixed with nitrogenous substances at the time of use .
Properties of Inorganic Materials
Commonly Used in the Philippines
• Ammonium phosphate (ammophos), NH4H2PO4 or (NH4)2HPO4
• Produced by ammoniation of phosphoric acid
• May be present as monoammonium phosphate and
diammoniumphosphate
• It is slightly alkaline but it causes acidity when applied to soil because in
the presence of alkaline substances the nitrogen or ammonium
phosphate is readily lost as volatilized ammonia
• Grades commonly manufactured are DAP (21-53-0) and MAP (16-20-0)
Properties of Inorganic Materials
Commonly Used in the Philippines
• Complete Fertilizers contain the three major elements , NPK in percentages indicated
respectively by the three minerals designating the fertilizer grades
• Available in granular form and are water soluble
• Different grades are manufactured to suit special requirement in terms of N, P , K
ratios and high grade analysis
• Grades of complete fertilizers available locally and commonly used are:
• 12-12-12
• 14-14-14
• 12-24-12
• 10-25-25
• 5-10-16
Fertilizer Management
• Determination of fertilizer needs: The amount and kind of fertilizer material
to be added to the soil depend primarily upon;
• Nutrient requirement of the crop
• Amount of nutrient the soil can supply

• Studies on nutrient removal of vegetables crops reported wide variation in

the nutrient requirements of the different crops
• Indicates differences in the fertilizer requirement of these crops.
Nutrient removal from the soil by different vegetable crops (Potash Pocket Book)
 Crop Yield Kg/ha Nutrient Removal Kg/ha

N P2O5 K2O
Beans
Bush 12,000 80* 30 100
Pole 14,000 120 35 150
Soybeans 1800 160* 60 115

Peas 2000 125* 30 75

Cowpea pods 2400 150* 40 110
Asparagus 4000 120 50 140
Brocolli 50000 220 100 230
Cabbage 70000 250 90 320
Cauliflower 50000 200 80 250
Celery 30000 180 80 300
Lettuce 25000 60 220 120
Onions 30000 90 40 120
Spinach 20000 95 35 125
Cucumber 30000 50 40 80
Tomato 40000 110 30 150
Sweet potato 140000 312 111 701
Carrot 300000 125 55 200
Potato 30000 130 60 180
Radish 12000 100 50 300

Source: Fabro, L.E, O.K Bautista and M.M. Malixi.1976. Philippine Agriculturist
Fertilizer Requirement of priority
vegetables in the Philippines
Crop Rate of Application Rate of Application
, Kg/ha

N P2O5 K2O Organic fertilizer

Beans 30-50 70-120 30-50
Cabbage 90-240 30-60 30-60
Melons 45-120 45-120 45-120 2,000-20,000
Onions 54-120 103-240 54-120
White potato 90-120 180-200 180-200 2,000-3,000
Sweet potato 200 190 190
Tomato 60-96 120-192 120-192
When to Apply
• It depends on the kind of crop, season and soil
• Seasonal effect is governed primarily by the amount of fertilizer
the plants absorb
• Crops differ in the time of maximum growth and therefore in the
time of maximum nutrient absorption
• Crops differ in growth duration and in the need for the ability to
absorb plant nutrients
• Timely application of fertilizer will promote growth and
development of the part of the plant that is to be harvested
When to Apply
• Soil differ in texture and therefore in the rate of water movement through
the soil
• Soil vary greatly in their capacity to fix plant nutrients
• Light or sandy soils and heavier soils with high capacity to fix plant
nutrients should be fertilized at lower rates but with greater frequency
• General application methods are basal-where fertilizer is applied just
before or during planting
• Top or side dressing where fertilizer is applied to a crop that is already
growing in the field
• Starter solution fertilizer may be sprayed on seedlings ,poured on the
seedbed or poured into the transplant hole at transplanting time to assure
good seedling vigor and rapid growth.
Frequency and method of fertilizer
application
CROP FREQUENCY AND METHOD OF APPLICATION

Beans During the dry season, all required fertilizer should be applied at planting time.
During wet season, half of N and all P and K should be applied at planting and the
second half of N to be sidedressed 3 weeks after seeding. Application is by band
placement.

Cabbage All the P and K and that half of N should be applied in bands during planting . The
remaining half should sidedressed a month after planting.

Onions All the required P and K and half of the N should be applied at planting time.
Sidedressing of the remaining half of N should be done as bulbing begins

White potato The chicken manure and ashes should be applied at planting time. One-half of the
inorganic fertilizer requirement should be applied at planting and other half when
the plants are about 20 cm tall.
CROP FREQUENCY AND METHOD OF APPLICATION

Melons Before planting apply fully decomposed animal manure or compost . In addition
apply commercial fertilizer by band placement during planting. First sidedressing is
done when plants have already produced vines about one meter long and the second
sidedressing is done when the first fruit is about the size of an egg.

Sweet potato One-half of the required amount is applied at planting time. The first sidedressing is
done ten days from planting and the second sidedressing 30 days from planting

Tomato All required P and ½ K and ½ N should be applied at planting time. The remaining
half of the required N and K should be sidressed a month after the transplanting
FERTILIZER APPLICATION

1. BROADCAST – spread uniformly over the soil

surface.
2. BAND – fertilizer is spread on a narrow strip
along the side of the row of plants.
3. IN-THE-ROW – fertilizer is applied along the
bottom of furrow.
4. RING – fertilizer is applied around the base of
the plant or tree.
5. HOLE – fertilizer is dropped in holes around the
tree.
6. SPOT – fertilizer is dropped in small amount
on the side of each hill or plant.

7. BASAL – first of fertilizer applied at planting

time.

8. TOPDRESS – application sometime after

plants have emerged.

9. FOLIAR – spraying of fertilizer on leaves.

10. FERTIGATION – application of fertilizer

dissolved in irrigation water.
 Fertilizer management that increases
efficiency of recovery

 Proper rates / doses

 Right timing of application
 Proper method of application
 Right kind of fertilizer
 FERTILIZER COMPUTATION

General Formulas:
WN
WF =
FC
Where:
WF = weight of fertilizer
WN = weight of nutrient (N, P2O5, K2O, etc)
FC = % composition / 100
or: WN = WF x FC
Sample Problem 1:
Recommendation: 90-0-0
How many kg/ha Ammonium sulfate, AS (20-0-0) must
be applied?
90
Kg AS/ha = = 450
.20

If urea (45-0-0) is used instead of AS?

90
Kg urea/ha = = 200
.45
How many bags AS or urea are needed?

450 kg
Bags AS/ha = = 9
50 kg/bag

200 kg
Bags urea/ha = = 4
50 kg/bag
Sample Problem 2
Recommendation: 90-30-0
Fertilizers to be used:
Ammonium sulfate (20-0-0)
Ammonium phosphate (16-20-0)
Solve first for P:

30
Kg AP/ha = = 150
.20
150 kg AP contains 30 kg P2O5 and 24 kg N
150 x 0.16 = 24 kg N

N still needed will come from AS:

90 – 24 = 66 kg N

66
Kg AS/ha = = 330
.20
Sample Problem 3
The fertilizer recommendation for tomato was
given at 120-120-120. How many grams of complete
fertilizer CF (14% N, 14% P2O5, 14% K2O) are needed
per hill? The plants were spaced 40 cm x 40 cm.
Solution:
First calculate the amount of fertilizer needed per
hectare:

120 kg N, P2O5, K2O

Kf CF/ha = = 857
0.14
 Next compute the number of hills or plants per
hectare (1 ha measures 10,000 sq. M)

10,000 m2
No. of hills/ha = = 62,500
.40 m x 0.40 m

Then,

857 kg/ha
Kg CF/hill = = 137 gm/hill
62,500
Sample Problem 4
Recommendation: 120-0-0
Which is cheaper to use, urea (P 680/bag) or AS (P
450/bag)?

120
Bags urea = = 267 kg
0.45

267 kg
= 5.3 bags
50 kg/bag

5.3 bags x P 680 = P 3,627

 120
Bags AS = = 600 kg
0.20

600 kg
= 12 bags
50 kg/bag

12 bags x P 450 = P 5,400