Unit 5Lesson 10

Fertilizer Placement and Application Methods

Fertilizer

• Fertilizer• Improve quality and quantity of crops

– Crops• Have specific fertilizer needs• Various crops respond differently to:

– Fertilizer applications– To soils in which they grow

Fertilizer

• Distributed– Bulk or packages– Solid– Liquid– Gaseous forms

Fertilizer

• Application– Just as important as proper amounts

• Based on fertilizer analyses

– Influenced by• Nutrient deficiencies• Soil types• Climatic conditions• Fertilizer availability• Crop types grown

Fertilizer

Knowledge of proper application is essential but insufficient.

Fertilizer Placement• Availability

– Depends on fertilizer application method used– Spraying or Broadcasting phosphate and

mixing it in soil may cause fixation.• Broadcasting – scattering fertilizer material in all

directions

• Fixation – process in a soil by which chemical elements are converted from a soluble (exchangeable) form to an insoluble form

– An improper fertilizer application may result in a complete loss of the applied plant food nutrient.

• If fertilizer is not in reach of plant roots and not dissolved by moisture in soil, it is considered a loss to plants.

Fertilizer Placement

• Scanned ImageA. Proper fertilizer application

includes placing fertilizer materials to the side of and below seed

B. Or mixing fertilizer materials in the soil

C. Fertilizer must not be placed too close to seed or seedling

• Seedling injury due to “salt burn” from fertilizer may occur, particularly in sandy soils or if large amounts of soluble nitrogen or potassium are applied. Similar problems occur in growing crops if fertilizers are placed to close to roots.

Fertilizer Application Method

• Banding– Fertilizer is placed

near the seed– Usually used on row

crops– Fertilizer is placed 2”

below and to the side of the seed

• Keeps it from injuring the seedling

Fertilizer Applicaton Methods

• Sidedressing• Type of banding

– Fertilizer is placed• Near the soil surface• To the side of plant• Usually used when applying

– Nigtrogen– Potassium

» As a second application» After the plant emerges

– Reduces loss by leaching– Used during favorable soil moisture conditions

Fertilizer Application Methods

• Topdressing– Applying a second application to the soil

surface– Used mainly on

• Small grains• Legumes• Grasses

Fertilizer Application Methods

• Broadcasting– Differs from banding in that the total cropland area is

covered with fertilizer– Mostly used

Fertilizer Application Methods

• Fertigating– Applying fertilizer through irrigation water– Works best with

• Nitrogen• Potassium• Most effective when water is uniformly distributed• Most efficient in a sprinkler-type irrigation systems

Fertilizer Application Methods

• Foliage Spraying– Satisfactory when trace elements are needed

immediately or– Nutrients must be applied to sandy soils– Popular on

• Citrus• Ornamental crops

Fertilizer Application Methods

• Injecting Gaseous Fertilizers– Nitrogen

• Applied by – Injecting anhydrous

ammonia

– Under pressure

– In six inches soil depth

– Tractor drawn applicators