FERTILIZERS

Fertilizers or fertilizers are compounds given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar spraying, for uptake through leaves.

Labeling of fertilizers
Macronutrient fertilizers
Macronutrient fertilizers are labeled with an NPK analysis and also "N-P-KS" in Australia.] However, these numbers do not directly represent the source composition or absolute nutrient content of the fertilize macronutrient fertilizers are not labeled by content but according to traditional analysis. For example, the fertilizer potash is a naturally occurring mineral composed of nearly pure potassium chloride (KCl). As such, its composition is 1:1 potassium to chloride or 52% potassium and 48% chlorine by weight (owing to differences in molecular weight between the elements). Traditional analysis of 100g. of KCl would yield 60g. K2O. The percentage yield of K2O from the original 100g. of fertilizer is the number shown on the label. A potash fertilizer would thus be labeled 0-0-60, not 0-0-52. Many articles on the internet will have the wrong succession. It should always be nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Lawn specialists and farmers plan their entire growing season with the analysis in that order. If, for some odd reason, it

was not in that order, crops and lawns could be ruined. Always look for NPK. Fertilizer is described in this way dating back to Liebig in the 19th century due to the methods he used then to compare and evaluate fertilizers.

Converting nutrient analysis to composition P2O5 consists of 57.4% oxygen and 43.6% elemental phosphorus. The percentage ([mass fraction]) of elemental phosphorus is 43.6% so P= 0.43 x P2O5. K2O consists of 17% oxygen and 83% elemental potassium. The percentage (mass fraction) of elemental potassium is 83% so K = 0.83 x K2O. Nitrogen values represent actual nitrogen content so these numbers do not need to be converted. Using these conversion factors we determine that 185120 fertilizer contains (by weight):

18% elemental (N) 22% elemental (P) 16% elemental (K)

Other fertilizer designations Fertilizer containing only the three primary macronutrients can be referred to as artificial or straight. Compound fertilizers are N-P-K fertilizers with other

elements purposely intermixed]. For example, a mainly nitrogenous fertilizer mix would be described as a nitrogen fertilizer.

ELEMENTS NITROGEN:
Major fertilizers containing N: (a) Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) (b) Potassium nitrate (KNO3) (c) Urea (NH2CONH2) (d) Ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2SO4] Preparation: Most of nitrogen fertilizers are obtained form synthetic NH3. This chemical compound is used as gas or in water solution or it is converted to salts.

Nitrogen Deficiencies (a) Pale, green, yellow leaves (b) Stunted growth Nitrogen in Excess (a) Lower disease resistance (b) Weaken stem (c) Decay maturity (d) Lower fruit quality

PHOSPHORUS:
Major fertilizers containing P: (a)DAP Diammonium phosphate [(NH4)2PO4] (b)Ca3(PO4)2 Calcium phosphate (c)Triple phosphate and super phosphate Preparation: Most phosphoric fertilizers are obtained by the treatment of calcium phosphate with H2SO4and phosphoric fertilizers. Calcium phosphate is mainly derived from phosphate rock and bones. Phosphate rock is found in deposits of sedimentary origin laid down on beds of ocean floor. Phosphorus deficiencies (a) Pale purple colour on the underside of leaves (b) Reduced flower, fruits and seed production Advantages of P: 1. Encourage cell division 2. Hastens maturity, offsetting quick growth caused by N 3. Encourage root growth

4. Increase disease resistance Phosphorous in excess 1. Causes dehydration of roots 2. Increase soluble salt content of medium

POTASSIUM:
Major fertilizers containining K: 1. Potassium chloride (Potash) 2. Potassium nitrate (KNO3) Preparation: It is the seventh most abundant element found in earths crust. Potassium chloride which is principal commercial form of potash and some KNO3 is also used for production of potash fertilizer. Potassium deficiencies: 1. Leaves appear dry and scorched 2. Irregular yellow areas on the surface Advantages of K: 1. Increase disease resistance 2. Encourage healthy root and stems 3. Essential for starch formation 4. Efficient use of CO2

Potassium in excess

1. Affects soil acidity 2. Reduced flower, fruit and seed production

FERTILISERS- V
Experiment 1. 2. 3. Observation Inference Dil. group absent Conc. group absent Volatile absent group

Take a pinch of fertilizer + fewNo reaction drops of dil. H2SO4 Take a pinch of fertilizer + fewNo reaction drops of conc. H2SO4 Take 1 ml of soda extract andNo reaction acidify it with dil HCl. Add few drops of BaCl2soln. to it. A pinch of fertilizer + few drops ofNo reaction NaOH soln. Heat it. Take 1 ml of O.S (originalNo reaction solution)* in a solution and to it add few drops of dil. HCl Take 1 ml of O.S (original solution)No reaction in a solution, to it add few drops of dil. HCl. Warm the solution, and pass H2S gas. Take 1 ml of O.S (original solution)No reaction in a solution and to it add few drops of dil. HCl .add few drops of conc. HNO3.heat it. Cool it. Add a pinch of solid NH4Cl followed by excess of NH4OH. Take 1 ml of O.S (original solution)No reaction in a solution and to it add few drops of dil. HCl. Add a pinch of solid NH4Cl followed by excess of NH4OH. Warm the solution and

4. 5.

Zero group absent 1st group absent

6.

2nd group absent

7.

3rd group absent

8.

IV group absent

pass H2S gas. 9. Take 1 ml of OS + few drops of dil.White ppt HCl + a pinch of solid NH4Cl + 1 or 2 ml of (NH4)2CO3 V group present, may be Ba2+, Kr2+ or Ca2+ Ca2+ confirmed.

10 Filter the white precipitate, take aWhite ppt . part of it, and dissolve it in minimum amount of CH3COOH. Now add (NH4)2C2O4 11 Flame test .

Brick red flameCa2+ confirmed.

RESULT- Fertilizer has Ca2+ as cation. (The fertilizer detected is Vermi Compost).

FERTILISERS-III

Experiment 1 Take 1 ml of Lassaigne . (L.S.)* in a test tube and few drops of freshly ferrous sulphate solution. Cool it. Add few drops H2SO4

Observation SolutionPrussian to it addcolour prepared Heat it. of conc.

Inference

blueNitrogen present in elemental form.

RESULTThe given fertilizer has N in elemental form. (The fertilizer detected is urea). (Urea) O.C.N + Na NaCN CaCO3 (s) + 2CH3COOH Ca [CH3COO]2 + H2O +CO2 CaC2O4(s) FERTILIZER 5(vermi compost) Ca2+ (aq) + CO32-(aq) 2CH3COOH + CaCO3 Ca2+ (aq) +C2O42-