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Fertilizers add to plants the needed plant nutrients for them to grow healthy and better. They come in two groups. The organic and synthetic fertilizers. This time we shall be talking about the various types of inorganic fertilizers.
Before you go on, understand this in simple terms. Choose the wrong type of fertilizer and you destroy your farm. And that is only in the short term. In the long term, your soil will suffer. You may need to spend extra money correct it.
Now, let us go on the main types.
Read more about Inorganic Fertilizer: Advantages and Disadvantages
1. Complete and Balanced Inorganic/synthetic fertilizers
Inorganic fertilizers come in single-nutrient or multi-nutrient formulas. Multinutrient formulas include complete and balanced fertilizers. These contain basic nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. They may also contain secondary and micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, boron and manganese.
On the package of the fertilizers are three numbers. The numbers indicate the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium they contain. For example, NPK 5-10-5 contains 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 5% potassium. Balanced fertilizers are those that contain equal nutrient amounts, such as NPK 10-10-10.
2. Slow-Release and Specially Formulated
Other types of inorganic or synthetic fertilizers include slow-release formulas. These formulas contain larger molecules that are coated. They are made to break down slowly in the soil. A typical slow-release fertilizer releases nutrients over a period of 50 days to a year. This reduces the chance of burning the plant or root system.
Specially formulated synthetic fertilizers are for a specific type of plants. These special formulas include plant foods for cocoa, azaleas, rhododendron or roses. Specially formulated fertilizers are usually highly acidic and are used only on the plants for which they are indicated.
Read also:Safety Precautions in Agrochemicals handling and usage
3. Nitrogen Fertilizers
Inorganic nitrogen fertilizers come in many different forms. Ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and urea. These fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen. Nitrogen is one of the most vital nutrients for plant growth. However, these inorganic fertilizers tend to increase the pH of the soil when you apply them. They increase the chances of burn and damage to seedlings.
Others pull moisture from the air. This makes it difficult to apply and store.
4. Potassium Fertilizers
Inorganic potassium fertilizers include potassium sulphate and potassium nitrate. Also muriate of potash, also known as potassium chloride. Muriate of potash is the most commonly used potassium fertilizer. In some cases, plants may be sensitive to chloride. If a plant is sensitive to chloride, potassium sulphate, also known as sulphate of potash, is a better choice. It does not contain chloride. Potassium nitrate is easy to apply. This is because it does not pull moisture from the air. But it does slightly increase the pH of the soil upon application.
Read also:6 Basic Soil Problems and Recommended Solutions in Agriculture
5. Phosphorus Fertilizers
Inorganic phosphorus fertilizers such as rock phosphate stay in the soil years after the first application. Rock phosphate works only in acidic soils. The nutrients do not break down for plants in neutral or alkaline soils.
Superphosphate is another form of phosphorus fertilizer. This does not affect the pH of the soil upon application. Ammonium phosphates also come in water-soluble, granular forms.
FAQs
Many can be applied directly such as anhydrous ammonia, urea, urea-ammonium nitrate solutions, triple superphosphate, ammonium phosphates, and muriate of potash (potassium chloride).
What are inorganic synthetic fertilizers? ›
Inorganic (synthetic) fertilizers are those that are composed of synthesized or processed chemicals that tend to give a higher nitrogen (N), phosphorus (K) and potassium (P) reading on the package. They are generally absorbed more quickly by plants than organic fertilizers.
What are the characteristics of synthetic fertilizers? ›
Synthetic fertilizers are best known for being fast-acting and for coming in a variety of forms such as liquid, pellet, granule, and spike. Synthetic fertilizers are water-soluble and can be taken up by plants almost immediately.
What is a characteristic of an inorganic fertilizer? ›
Inorganic fertilizers are a fast dose of nutrients, feeding your plants how you want and when you want. They are fully artificial and manufactured in exact doses. Their nutrient ratios are clearly printed on the bag, and there is an inorganic fertilizer to meet your plant's specific needs.
What are the types of inorganic fertilizers? ›
Inorganic fertilizers are man made formulae that can be formulated for various speeds of release. Most common are Urea, Single Super Phosphate, and Murate of Potash. In general pesticide is a chemical or biological agent that deters, incapacitates, kills or otherwise discourages pests.
What are synthetic fertilizers? ›
Synthetic fertilizers are those composed of the synthesized chemicals of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
What are the 3 types of inorganic fertilizers? ›
Inorganic Type Of Fertilizers
- Nitrogen (N) Fertilizer Type. ...
- Phosphorus (P) Fertilizer Type. ...
- Potassium (K) Fertilizer Type. ...
- Compound (NPK) Fertilizer Type. ...
- Sulfur, Magnesium, And Calcium Fertilizer Types. ...
- Micronutrient Fertilizer Type.
Solid Inorganic Fertilization
The advent of granulated and chemically uniform inorganic fertilizer salts with high nutrient content, like urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate, reduced labour during application (there was no need to incorporate by tilling) as compared to organic fertilizers.
What are two examples of organic fertilizers and two examples of inorganic synthetic fertilizers? ›
Examples of naturally occurring organic fertilizers include manure, slurry, worm castings, peat, seaweed and guano. Examples of manufactured or chemically-synthesized inorganic fertilizers include ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate, and superphosphate, or triple superphosphate(TSP),ammonium phosphate.
What are the dangers of inorganic fertilizers? ›
Inorganic fertilizers can lead to nutrient imbalances, groundwater contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The most widely used solid inorganic fertilizers are urea, diammonium phosphate and potassium chloride. Solid fertilizer is typically granulated or powdered. Often solids are available as prills, a solid globule.
What are the disadvantages of inorganic fertilizers? ›
Cons of Inorganic Fertilisers
- Inorganic fertilisers do not add to the organic content of the soil.
- Can easily be overapplied and cause harm to plants.
- Soluble salts can be more easily leached from the rhizosphere (plant root zone) and potentially harm other parts of the ecosystem.
Inorganic materials usually have high thermal stability, good electrical properties, and high modulus, but they also tend to have high density and be very brittle. Organic polymeric materials, on the other hand, have elastic properties and low density but lack thermal stability and high strength.
What are the characteristics of organic and inorganic fertilizer? ›
The fundamental difference between organic and inorganic* fertiliser is their source. Organic fertilisers are derived from living things including plants, animals and manures while inorganic are synthetically derived chemicals plus minerals from the earth. From this point the debate about which is best begins.
What are the characteristics of inorganic nutrients? ›
An inorganic nutrient refers to food-derived compounds lacking carbon. Unlike organic nutrients, inorganic nutrients are not derived from living organisms. However, inorganic compounds are still essential for the growth and repair of structural components in the human body.
Is Miracle Gro an inorganic fertilizer? ›
Many Miracle Gro products are full of unhealthy, inorganic chemicals, are mass produced, and they are generally composed of cheaper, low quality ingredients.
What are the simple inorganic fertilizers? ›
Here are some examples of common inorganic fertilizers that are available in both granular and liquid lawn care forms: Ammonium Nitrate. Potassium Chloride. Ammonium Sulfate.
What are the 5 names of organic fertilizer? ›
Processed organic fertilizers include compost, liquid plant manures, humic acid, grain meal, amino acids, and seaweed extracts. Other examples are natural enzyme-digested proteins. Decomposing crop residue (green manure) from prior years is another source of fertility.
