NB: This FREE report first became available in PDF format in my Self-Development Digest Newsletter, issue No. 72 of Mon 5th Mar 2012.
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PREVIEW: FERTILISERS AND FERTILISER MANAGEMENT
Inorganic (or chemical) fertilizers are now an economic necessity on many soils. Three groups of fertilizer materials – based on their ability to supply “fertiliser elements – commonly used in Nigeria are:
1. Nitrogen (N2) fertilizers
They come in 2 groups – organic and inorganic. However, because of its high cost, the organic nitrogen fertilizers have been largely replaced by the inorganic nitrogen fertilizers. Some of the common nitrogen fertilizers are Sodium Nitrate (NaNO3), Ammonium Sulphate – (NH4)2SO4, Urea, Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) etc.
2. Phosphorous (P) fertilizers
Include the following: Rock phosphate, Single Super Phosphate (SSP), Triple Super Phosphate (TSP), Ammoniated Super Phosphate etc
3. Potassium (K) fertilizers
Examples are Muriate of Potash (KCL), Potassium Sulphate (K2SO4), Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) etc
Micronutrient Fertilisers: These include Copper Sulphate (CuSO4), Copper Carbonate (CuCO3), Copper Hydroxide – Cu (OH)2, Sodium Borate (Na2B4O7), Ferric Sulphate – Fe2(SO4)3, Sodium Molybdate – Na2MoO4
Mixed Fertilisers: Fertilisers placed on the market contain at least 2 of the so called fertilizer elements (i.e. Nitrogen [N], Phosphorous [P], and Potasium [K]). One of them is “Incomplete Fertiliser” and the other is “Complete Fertiliser”.
When mixed fertilizer is not available, it is possible for the farmer to blend his own fertilizers to the required mixture, but to do this effectively or successfully, he must have a good idea of what his soil’s nutrient requirements are.
Effects of Mixed Fertilisers on Soil Ph
Most complete fertilizers tend to deposit an acid residue in the soil. This is due to the influence of certain nitrogen carriers, especially those which supply ammonia (NH3) or which produce ammonia when added to the soil. The major effect of ammonium ion (NH4+) occurs when they are nitrified.