SOIL 102

Soil Fertility,
Conservation and
Management
Presented by Evangielyn D. Marcelo
 MODULE 2: SOIL
FERTILITY EVALUATION

Lesson 2: RECOMMENDED SOIL FERTILITY

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

 Fertilizer and fertilizer materials

 Fertilizer computation
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITYMANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
Definition of Terms:

• Fertilization/ Fertilizer application is one of the widely

used methods in maintaining soil fertility where additional
needed nutrients are being supplied to the soil.

• Fertilizer. Any organic or inorganic substance of natural or

synthetic origin added to the soil to supply the elements or
nutrients required in plant nutrition.
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITYMANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
Definition of Terms:
• Mixed/Compound fertilizer. Is a mechanical or chemical
combination of two or more fertilizer materials which N-P-K
contains two or more essential nutrient elements. 18-20-0

Ex: (Nitrophosphate-NP fertilizer), (Monoammonium and

diammonium phosphate-NP fertilizer)

• Complete Fertilizer. Contains the three major plant-nutrient

elements (N, P, K). Ex: 14-14-14, 10-10-10, 20-5-20
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITYMANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
Definition of Terms:
• Fertilizer Grade. Refers to the minimum guarantee of the plant nutrient
content in terms of total N, available P2O5 and soluble K2O.
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITYMANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
Definition of Terms:

• Fertilizer Ratio. Refers to the relative percentages of N, P2O5 and K2O in

a fertilizer grade. (Obtained by dividing the grade by the lowest common
denominator).

Fertilizer Grade Ratio

a. 10-10-10 1:1:1 (10/10)
b. 20-20-20 1:1:1 (20/20)
c. 6-12-12 1:2:2 (6/6), 12/6, 12/6)
d. 5 -15-30 1:3:6 (5/5, 15/5, 30/5)
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITYMANAGEMENT
PR ACTICES
Definition of Terms:

• Fertilizer Formula. An expression of the quantity and analysis of the

materials in a mixed fertilizer.
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITYMANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
Definition of Terms:

• Acid Forming Fertilizer. Fertilizer capable of decreasing pH.

All ammonium (NH4)

containing fertilizers
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITYMANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
Definition of Terms:

• Basic Forming Fertilizer. Fertilizer capable of increasing

pH.
• Dry Bulk Blending. Process of mechanically mixing solid
fertilizer materials.
• Fertilizer Filler. A non-nutrient material added to
fertilizer, e.g. sand, clay

• Fertilizer Starter. A small amount of fertilizer placed on

the seeds or transplants to promote early growth.
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITYMANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
Definition of Terms:

• Fertigation. Application of fertilizer in irrigation water either in

surface or overhead irrigation (especially for N).
• Hygroscopicity of Fertilizer. The capacity to absorb moisture from the
atmosphere [relative humidity (RH)].
• Macroelements. Nutrient elements needed in large amounts.
• Microelements. Nutrient elements needed in small or minute amounts.
• Hydrophilic. Water loving; Hydrophobic = not water loving
 Classification of Fertilizers and Fertilizer materials:

A. Inorganic Fertilizers. Commercially or synthetically manufactured

fertilizers. The origin is from non-living things.
1. solid
2. liquid or foliar
 Classification of Inorganic Fertilizers:

1.Single nutrient fertilizer: Fertilizers that supply

one primary nutrient; also called straight fertilizers

2.Compound/Mixed fertilizers- Fertilizer

containing two or three primary nutrients

3.Complete fertilizer- Contains the 3 macro

nutrients.
 Classification of Inorganic Fertilizers:

1.Single nutrient fertilizer:

 Classification of Inorganic Fertilizers:

2.Compound/Mixed fertilizers- Fertilizer

containing two or three primary nutrients

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 Classification of Inorganic Fertilizers:

3.Complete fertilizer- Contains the 3 macro

nutrients.
 Classification of Inorganic Fertilizers:

Type of fertilizer Grade (%N-%P2O5-%K2O)

Single Nutrient Fertilizer: Ammonium sulfate 21-0-0-24

Urea 46-0-0
Superphosphate 0-20-0
Muriate of potash 0-0-60
Compound/Mixed Fertilizer Ammonium phosphate 16-20-0
Di-ammonium phosphate 18-46-0

Complete fertilizer 14-14-14

16-16-16
19-19-19
 General Characteristics of Inorganic Fertilizers:

• Contain relatively high nutrient elements.

• Readily soluble; brings about rapid reaction
• Readily available
• Less bulky, easier transport

Disadvantages of inorganic fertilizer application:

1. Destroy the soil structure and other physical properties of soils.

2. Affects some chemical properties such as pH, microbial activity.
3. Problems on storage especially for highly hygroscopic which will
lead to caking.
 Classification of Fertilizers and Fertilizer materials:

B. Organic Fertilizers. Refers to any product which is of plant or animal

origin decomposed that supports plant needs.

e.g. farm manures, composts, sewage and some industrial by-products such
as bagasse, guano, molasses, peat, ashes, etc.
 Classification of Organic Fertilizers:

1. Pure Organic. Decomposed plant and animal materials with added

activators to hasten decomposition and no chemical nor inorganic fertilizer
material has been added without affecting nutrient contents.

2. Fortified or Enriched Organic Fertilizer. These are materials which had

been enriched with microbial inoculants, hormones, and/or chemical
additives to increase its nutrient content.
 General Characteristics of Organic Fertilizers:

* Generally contain low amount of major plant nutrients.

N = 1-7%; P2O5 = 2-12%; K2O = 0-10%

*Slow availability of nutrients but sustaining needs the action of

microorganism to transform organic to inorganic form (mineralization).

*Promote good soil physical properties.

*Induces nutritional deficiency in plants when applied as fresh or partially

decomposed.

*Major source of microelements.

 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
 A.Right balance of nutrients.
 B. Right fertilizer form.
 C. Right amount of fertilizer to apply
 D.Right timing of fertilizer application.
 E. Right application.
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES

A. Right balance of nutrients. Know the nutrient requirement of

your crop.

B. Right fertilizer form. Choose the right kind of fertilizer to

apply.

Your choice of fertilizer should be based upon:

 The nutrient contents of fertilizers available
 The nutrients required by the crop and soil
 The comparative costs of the different fertilizers
Availability of fertilizer
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
C. Right amount of fertilizer to apply. Know the amount of fertilizers to
apply.

Fertilizer computation is required in order to know the amount of

fertilizer to be applied.

*Fertilizer Grade- This refers to the minimum guarantee of the nutrient

content in terms of percent N, percent available P2O5, and percent water-
soluble K2O in a fertilizer.
Example: 14-14-14;
46-0-0;
0-18-0;
0-0-60
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
C. Right amount of fertilizer to apply. Know the amount of
fertilizers to apply.
Fertilizer computation is required in order to know the amount of
fertilizer to be applied.

Fertilizer Recommendation- The fertilizer recommendation is

expressed in kg N, kg P2O5 and kg K2O per hectare, respectively.
Example: 90-60-30
In 90 -60-30 for instance, the recommendation means the
application of 90 kg N, 60 kg P2O5, and 30 kg K2O per hectare,
respectively.
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
Calculation:

Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required

% Nutrient

Weight of N in a bag urea = Wt. of a bag of urea x % nutrient

 Sample problem: Use of single nutrient fertilizers
Calculate the quantity of Urea, Super phosphate and Muriate of potash required for 1 hectare of tomato
field. Recommended rate of NPK for tomato is 100-60-50 kg/ha? Determine the number of bags of every
fertilizer to be used. COMPUTATION
* Weight of Urea = 100 kg/ha
Given: .46
Fertilizers:Urea- 46-0-0 = 217.39 kg/ha
Super phosphate- 0-20-0
Muriate of potash- 0-0-60 *Weight of Super phosphate = 60 kg/ha
Recommended Rate: 100-60-50 kg/ha .20
Area: 1 hectare = 300 kg/ha

*Weight of Muriate of potash = 50 kg/ha

Find: Weight of urea, SP and MP fertilizer to apply and
.50
# of fertilizer bags = 100 kg/ha
FORMULA: Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required
% Nutrient
Therefore, 217.39 kg/ha urea, 300 kg/ha super phosphate and 100 kg/ha muriate of potash is needed to
be applied.
COMPUTATION for Number of Fertilizer bags

No. of fertilizer bags = Wt. of nutrient

Wt. of nutrient/bag (50 kg)

No. of urea bags = 217.39 kg

50 kg
= 4.34 bags of Urea

No. of superphosphate bags = 300 kg

50 kg
= 6 bags of SP

No. of muriate of potash bags = 100 kg

50 kg
= 2 bags of MP
 Sample problem: Use of compound fertilizers
Calculate the quantity of Ammonium phosphate, Urea, and Muriate of potash required for 1 hectare of
tomato field. Recommended rate of NPK for tomato is 100-60-50 kg/ha? Determine the number of bags
of every fertilizer to be used.

Given:
Fertilizers: Ammonium phosphate- 16-20-0
Urea- 46-0-0
Muriate of potash- 0-0-60
Recommended Rate: 100-60-50 kg/ha
Area: 1 hectare

Find: Weight of ammonium phosphate, urea and MP fertilizer

FORMULA: Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required
% Nutrient
 COMPUTATION

*Weight of ammonium phosphate = 60 kg/ha

.20
= 300 kg/ha
.16 N x 300 kg/ha = 48 kg/ha N

*Since 100 kg/ha N is required by the plant, subtract 48 kg/ha from 100 kg/ha.= 52 kg/ha

*Calculate now the weight of urea to be applied to satisfy the nutrient requirement of the crop.

*Weight of urea = 52 kg/ha

.46 Therefore, 300 kg/ha ammonium
= 113.04 kg/ha phosphate, 113.04 kg/ha urea and 100
kg/ha muriate of potash is needed to be
*Weight of muriate of potash = 50 kg/ha
applied to satisfy the nutrient
.50 requirement of the crop.
= 100 kg/ha
 Sample problem: Use of complete fertilizers
Calculate the quantity of 14-14-14, Urea, and superphosphate required for 1 hectare of tomato field.
Recommended rate of NPK for tomato is 100-60-50 kg/ha? Determine the number of bags of every
fertilizer to be used.

Given:
Fertilizers: 14-14-14
Superphosphate- 0-20-0
Urea- 46-0-0
Recommended Rate: 100-60-50 kg/ha
Area: 1 hectare

Find: Weight of 14-14-14, urea and superphosphate fertilizer to apply

FORMULA: Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required

% Nutrient
 COMPUTATION

*Weight of 14-14-14 = 50 kg/ha

.14
= 357.14 kg/ha

150-60-50
-- 50-50-50
100-10-0

*Weight of Urea = 100 kg/ha

.46
= 217.39 kg/ha

*Weight of Superphosphate = 10 kg/ha

.20
= 50 kg/ha
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
D. Right timing of fertilizer application. Know the right time of fertilizer application

To obtain the maximum benefit from the fertilizers, these should be applied at different
stages of plant
development when it is needed most.

Stages:
1. Early vegetative stage
2. Maximum tillering stage (in the case of rice)
Onset of flowering stage (in the case of fruit trees and plantation crops)
3. Panicle initiation (rice)
Onset of fruiting for fruit trees and plantation crops
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
E. Right application. Know the proper fertilizer placement

Fertilizer Application Methods

1.Broadcasting
2.Banding
3.Side Dressing
4.Fertigation
5.Foliar feeding
6.Basal “starter” - First of fertilizer applied at planting time.
7.Ring
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
Fertilizer Application Methods

1.Broadcasting
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
Fertilizer Application Methods

2.Banding
3. Side dressing
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
Fertilizer Application Methods

4.Fertigation

5.Foliar feeding
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
Fertilizer Application Methods

6.Basal “starter” - First of fertilizer applied at planting time.

7.Ring
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
Considerations in choosing the method of fertilizer application.

1.Relative mobility of nutrients in the soil

2.Type of crop and its rooting pattern
3.Soil Texture
4.Season of the year
5.Kind of fertilizer
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
Time of fertilizer application.

1.In sandy soils, N is necessary split as well as K.

2.For heavy clays, all of N is sometimes placed at planting.
3.P and K are usually applied at planting as they are less mobile, less subject to leaching
and less soluble.
4.P is also needed at young age to accelerate root development.
5.In alkaline soils, ammonium fertilizer is necessary deep placed to minimize
volatilization of ammonia.
 Lesson2:RECOMMENDEDSOILFERTILITY
MANAGEMENTPRACTICES
Basic Principles of Fertilizer Application:
1.Balanced quantities of all necessary nutrients, water and oxygen must be available to
plant roots for maximum yields.
2.Early stimulation of seedling usually is advantageous, thus, at least a part of plant food
should be placed within reach of young seedling roots.
3.A concentration above 1% of salt (such as those of sulphates, chlorides, sodium and
calcium) in soil solution prevents germination of most seeds and injures or kills plants.
4.Fertilizer applied on the soil surface or plant nutrients carried to the surface during dry
weather are subject to removal in the run-off water of sudden intensive rain.
5.Leaching is greater from sandy soils.
6.Avoid broadcast application of fertilizer when the leaves are wet. It may result to
burning.
Calculate the quantity of Urea, Super phosphate and Muriate of potash required for 1 hectare of
eggplant field. Recommended rate of NPK for eggplant is 120-130-95 kg/ha? Determine the number of
bags of every fertilizer to be used.

Given:

Find:

FORMULA:

Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required

% Nutrient
Calculate the quantity of ammonium phosphate,urea, and muriate of potash required for 1 hectare of eggplant
field. Recommended rate of NPK for eggplant is 120-130-95 kg/ha?

Given:

Find:

FORMULA:

Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required

% Nutrient
Calculate the quantity of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) required for 1 hectare of eggplant field. Recommended
rate of NPK for eggplant is 120-120-120 kg/ha?

Given:

Find:

FORMULA:

Wt. of fertilizer Material = Wt. of nutrient required

% Nutrient
Thank you!