Transcript POWER_AND_TECH_files/Unit 9 - Fertilizers and Nutrients

Nutrient Requirements of Plants
• Plants can grow in soil or soilless
mediums
o But, nutrients must be readily
available
• There are 16 essential plant
nutrients
o Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
are the most important
• Macronutrients: Nutrients which
are needed in large quantities for
good plant growth
• Micronutrients: Essential for plant
growth but in smaller quantities
Primary Macronutrients
• Nitrogen (N) – Largest quantities, most
noticeable and quickest effect on
plants
o Leaf growth and dark green leaves
• Phosphorus (P) – Required in less
amount than N and K
o Strong root systems, brighter and
more beautiful flowers, and rapid
growth
• Potassium (K) – Third primary
macronutrient
o Produces and matures the seed,
improves fruit keeping quality, and
decreases the water requirement
Secondary Macronutrients
• Needed in smaller quantities
than primary macronutrients but
larger quantities than
micronutrients
o Calcium (Ca) – Promotes root
formation
o Sulfur (S) – Promotes root
growth
o Magnesium (Mg) – Affects
the intake of plant nutrients
Micronutrients
• Essential for plant growth but needed in very small
quantities
• If they are not available plants cannot absorb and
use the other available nutrients to complete their
biological functions
• Iron (Fe)
• Boron (B)
• Manganese (Mn)
• Molybdenum (Mo)
• Zinc (Zn)
• Chloride (Cl)
• Copper (Cu)
• Available as a granular fertilizer and in FRITTED FORM
which means elements are released slowly into the
soil or potting medium
Commercial Fertilizers
• Fertilizer is a soil supplement which is used to
provide essential nutrients to plants
o Organic Fertilizer: Naturally occurring fertilizer
o Inorganic Fertilizer: Manufactured with
chemicals
• Traditionally there are three fertilizer forms:
o Dry – Usually granular form
o Liquid – Soluble fertilizer
o Controlled Release – Release over an
extended period of time
• Water-soluble is mixed with water
and dissolved before being applied
Application Methods
• Water hose and water breakers
o Small droplets for general
watering
o Smaller droplets for
watering seedlings
o Tiny droplets for misting
o A wand attachment is
used for hard to reach
areas
• Hose end sprayers
o Fertilizer is mixed with water in
a container attached to the
hose
Application Methods
• Fertilizer Injectors: Add water soluble
fertilizers to the main water line
• Or, incorporate or mix fertilizer into
potting mix
o Timed-release fertilizers incorporated
into seedling and potting mix provide
nutrients for 3-4 months
• Trees, shrubs, and large vegetable plants:
o Bury fertilizer pills, capsules, or spikes in the ground
• Top dressing requires solid or spray fertilizers to be
hand worked into large pots, around individual
plant base, or into garden soil
Fertilizer Storage and Handling
• Keep fertilizer dry at ALL times!!
• Store away from concrete
floors
• Keep bags sealed to keep out
moisture
• Keep in a locked room away
from children
• High nitrogen-content fertilizers
can explode so do not explore
them for long periods of time
The Fertilizer Bag
• The brand name
and/or the chemical
compound will be
listed on the label
• Fertilizer type:
pelleted, prill, granular
• Guaranteed analysis:
The known amount of
nutrients within the
product
• Name and address of
manufacturer
Guaranteed Analysis of Fertilizers
• Complete fertilizers proved nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium in varying
quantities
o Example: 10 – 20 – 10
• Incomplete fertilizers contain percentages of
one or two of the three primary
macronutrients
o Example: Urea (46 – 0 – 0)
• The remaining ingredients are not contributing
to nutritional value
o Invert ingredients