Fertilizer Labels and Application

1. Fertilizer Labels and Application Objective Reading fertilizer labels and calculating fertilizer application formulas.

2. Major Ingredients 1. Most commercial fertilizers have 3 numbers on the front label, separated by dashes. For example: 5-10-5. 2. This is the fertilizer analysis or percentage by weight of the 3 major nutrients plants need: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, in that order. 3. These are abbreviated as N-P-K.

3. Get out your Calculator and Analyze 1. If you purchased a 10 pound bag of fertilizer labeled 5-10-5, it would contain… 5% nitrogen 10% phosphorus 5% potassium. The remaining 80% could be comprised of other nutrients and filler. 2. How many pounds of NP and K does it contain? .5 lb. nitrogen 1 lb. phosphorus .5 lb. potassium The remaining 8 lbs could be comprised of other nutrients and filler.

4. 1st Number = Nitrogen 1. The first number gives the concentration of nitrogen in the product. 2. Nitrogen encourages rapid foliage growth, chlorophyll formation and other benefits. 3. When deficient; stunted growth, yellow lower leaves, spindly stalks and pale green color. 4. A 5-10-5 fertilizer would contain 5% nitrogen by weight. 5. For every pound of fertilizer applied there is really only .05 pounds of nitrogen. (The 10 pound bag mentioned would contain .5 lb. nitrogen)

5. 2nd Number = Phosphorous 1. The middle number refers to the concentration of phosphorous. 2. Phosphorous contributes to many fundamental plant processes such as rooting and setting flower buds. 3. When deficient; purple color in lower leaves and stems, dead spots on leaves and fruit. 4. A 5-10-5 fertilizer would contain 10% phosphorous by weight or .1 pounds of phosphorous. (The 10 pound bag mentioned above would contain 1 lb. of phosphorus.)

6. 3rd Number = Potassium 1. The final number states the concentration of potassium. 2. Potassium contributes to the overall health and vigor of plants. 3. Deficiencies; scorching or browning of lower leafs, weak stalks. 4. Again, a 5-10-5 fertilizer would contain 5% potassium by weight or .05 pounds of potassium. (The 10 pound bag mentioned above would contain .5 lb. potassium.)

7. Non-Mineral • Carbon • Hydrogen • Oxygen Essential components of plant compounds.

8. Secondary Minerals • Calcium-promotes cell wall growth and aids in cell division. Deficiency; deformed or dead leaves and/or pale green color • Magnesium-aids in development of chlorophyll, enzymes, and vitamins, aids in nutrient uptake. Deficiency; veins discolor. • Sulfur-essential in amino acids, vitamins and gives green color. Deficiency; yellow leaves and stunted growth.

9. Micronutrients • Boron • Chlorine • Copper • Iron • Manganese • Molybdenum • Zinc • These nutrients aid in color development, the chlorophyll process, blooming, cell division and plant growth.

10. Complete Fertilizers 1. Fertilizers that contain all three major nutrients are considered complete fertilizers. 2. There are specialized fertilizers which are called incomplete because they lack one or more major nutrients such as a fertilizer labeled 0-20-20.

11. Fertilizer Label 1. Some information is required by law to be on the fertilizer bags: 1. Net Weight 2. Brand and grade of fertilizer 3. Guaranteed analysis of each nutrient in fertilizer 4. Name and address of manufacturer

12. Other Valuable Information • Some manufacturers add the following on the bag as well: • % of water insoluble nitrogen • Potential acidity • Salt index • Source of carrier • % of minor elements • Calculation rates • How to calibrate spreaders

13. Reading a Fertilizer Label • N- 24 % • P- 5 % • K- 11 % • Remaining 60% is other nutrients and filler.

14. Analyze This! What do you know from the bag? N: 24 % P: 6 % K: 12 % Use: Lawn Fertilizer

15. How much fertilizer do I apply? Could be N P or K Write as a decimal Example: 25% = .25

16. Lets try! • We have a grass lawn that needs to be fertilized and Jake has found a bag of 16-8-8 in our garage. If we need to put 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft of our 3,000 sq ft lawn, how much fertilizer do we need to apply? 3,000 -------- 1,000 1 ------ .16 X 18.75 lbs of fertilizer = 6.25 X 3 =

17. Check for understanding • Complete the practice question on your worksheet. 1. Susie has a grass lawn that needs to be fertilized, she has found a bag of 14-18-12 in her garage. If she needs to put .5 pound of potassium per 1,000 sq ft of her 5,500 sq ft lawn, how much fertilizer does she need to apply? • 22.88 lbs (Round up to 23 lbs)

18. 2. Using the previous question figure out how much nitrogen has been applied to the lawn (use the formula below). • N= Recommend P rate X % of N in % of P in fertilizer fertilizer • Check your work: • N= __.5__ = 4.16 X .14 = 0.58 lbs of Nitrogen .12

19. 3. Jack and Jill went up the hill and noticed the grass was very yellow. Which fertilizer would be best for them to use, 12-12-12, 28-14-14 or 4-16-4? 28-14-14 • Why? • Nitrogen is used to help promote lush green foliage growth, the 28-14-14 fertilizer is the highest in nitrogen.

20. 4. Using the fertilizer you selected in the question above determine how much fertilizer they need to apply. They want to apply 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft and the hill is 8,888 sq ft. • 32 lbs of 28-14-14 fertilizer.

21. Practice Reading the Label • In the boxes on your worksheet please provide the following information for each fertilizer placed on the tables around the class… • Net Weight • Brand and grade of fertilizer • Name and address of manufacturer • NPK percentage • One Secondary nutrient and % • One Micronutrient and %