To get more information on fertilizer and other related topics, check out the links on the next page. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Lawn Care. What is fertilizer and why do plants need it?
The most important are: Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen - Available from air and water and therefore in plentiful supply Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium a.
Every amino acid contains nitrogen. Every molecule making up every cell's membrane contains phosphorous the membrane molecules are called phospholipids , and so does every molecule of ATP the main energy source of all cells. Potassium makes up 1 percent to 2 percent of the weight of any plant and, as an ion in cells, is essential to metabolism. Fertilizers are added to crops in order to produce enough food to feed the human population. Fertilizers provide crops with nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, which allow crops to grow bigger, faster, and to produce more food.
Nitrogen in particular is an essential nutrient for the growth of every organism on Earth. However, plants and animals cannot use the nitrogen gas in the air. To grow, plants require nitrogen compounds from the soil, which can be produced naturally or be provided by fertilizers. However, applying excessive amounts of fertilizer leads to the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the eutrophication of our waterways.
Scientists are currently trying to find solutions to reduce the environmentally harmful effects of fertilizers, without reducing the amount of food we can produce when using them. Fertilizer is any substance or material added to soil that promotes plant growth.
There are many fertilizer varieties, and most contain nitrogen N , phosphorus P , and potassium K. In fact, fertilizers sold in stores have an N-P-K ratio on their packaging.
Fertilizers are applied all around the world to keep lawns green and to produce more crops in agricultural fields. Fertilizers can be divided into three groups:. While organic and mineral fertilizers have been used to increase crop yields in agriculture for a long time, industrial fertilizers are a relatively new development.
Even so, industrial fertilizers are the most widely used fertilizers today. Nitrogen is one of the elements, or nutrients, that all living things microorganisms, plants, and animals need to grow. Unfortunately, plants and animals cannot directly use nitrogen gas. As humans, we get our nitrogen from the food we eat. High protein foods like meat, fish, nuts, or beans are high in nitrogen. Plants get their nitrogen from the soil and nitrogen is the most common nutrient to limit plant growth.
However, even with all this natural nitrogen fixation , low nitrogen levels in soils often still limit plant growth. This is why most fertilizers contain nitrogen compounds and why industrial fertilizers are essential in order to produce enough crops to feed the human population.
As mentioned, most nitrogen on Earth is present as nitrogen gas, which is unusable for plants and animals. This industrial fixation is called the Haber-Bosch process. Almost all the nitrogen in industrial fertilizers is fixed through the Haber-Bosch process. This industrial fixation of nitrogen is performed in chemical laboratories and large factories all over the world. The Haber-Bosch process requires that nitrogen gas be mixed with hydrogen gas H 2 and put under enormous pressure times atmospheric pressure.
But unfortunately, most garden soils don't provide all the nutrients plants need to reach their full potential. It's up to us to close the gap. Adding compost and other organic matter is important for improving the long-term health and fertility of your soil, but fertilizers play an important role in providing the readily available nutrients that keep plants growing strong.
Most garden fertilizers contain the three primary plant nutrients: nitrogen N , phosphorus P and potassium K , plus small amounts of the minor nutrients: magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron and boron. The N-P-K ratio on the package tells you the percentage — by weight — of each major nutrient. Nitrogen is essential for fueling new growth. Phosphorus stimulates root growth and helps plants transfer energy between their roots, leaves and flowers.
Sometime phosphorus is present in the soil, but is not available to plants due to soil temperature, microbial activity or the pH of the soil. Potassium helps plants move water, nutrients and carbohydrates from one area to another. It is also responsible for stimulating early growth, improving hardiness and increasing resistance to insect pests and diseases.
In addition to these primary nutrients, plants also require small amounts of other nutrients including magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron and boron. Each has an important role in maintaining plant health and productivity. Most garden fertilizers contain the three major nutrients nitrogen N , phosphorus P and potassium K as well as small amounts of magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron and boron. Note: If you purchase an organic fertilizer, you may notice that the N-P-K rating is relatively low compared to most synthetic fertilizers.
This is because by law, the label can only reflect immediately available nutrients. Most organic fertilizers contain slow-release nutrients and trace elements that will become available over time. Plants absorb nutrients through their roots, so the nutrients need to be dissolved in water. Some nutrients won't dissolve if the soil is very acidic pH or very alkaline pH When the pH is between 6 and 7. That said, some plants actually prefer a high or a low pH.
Blueberries and rhododendrons, for example, grow best in acidic soil with a pH of between 4 and 5. Soil pH is also affected by rainfall, temperature and vegetation.
Some parts of the country have characteristically high or low pH levels. The only way to know for sure is to test the pH of the soil -- something that can be done by mailing a soil sample to a lab look online to find a soil testing location near you. Based on the test results, the lab will make recommendations for adjusting the pH if needed and balancing the major and minor nutrients.
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