Fertilizers, their characteristics and suitability for different soils and crops
Name of the fertiliser Nutrient Physical & chemical Suitability for Different Soils
Content properties
(in %)
1 2 3 4
Nitrogenous Fertilizers (N)
Ammonium sulphate 20.6 NH4 White crystalline Suitable for neutral calcareous and
substance. Has saline soils.
excellent physical Beside nitrogen, it also contains
properties and can be sulphur which is an essential plant
stocked under all nutrient. Most suitable for potato.
weather conditions in
jute bags. It is an acid
forming fertilize.
Ammonium sulphate Nitrate 26.0 It has good physical It can be used on all kinds of soils and
(19.25 properties and can be is more useful for topdressing for
NH4+6.75 stored under all wetland paddy and potato.
NO3) conditions and presents
no difficulty in
handling. It is an acid
forming fertiliser but
less pronounced than
Ammoniumsulphate
C.A.N (20.5%) 20.5(10.2 It is granular and can be This fertiliser can be safely used on all
5 handled easily. It is a types of soils including acid soils.
NH4+10.2 non-acid forming Ideally suitable to heavy and loamy
5 NO2) fertiliser. soils which are not subject to heavy
C.A.N (26%) It is hygroscopic & leaching, not suitable for potato and
26(13.0 therefore should be wet land rice. Heavy dose should not
NH4+13.0 stored in bags lined be applied to sandy soils.
NO3) with alkathene.
C.A.N (25%) 25.0 (12.5
NH4 +
12.5 NO3)
C.A.N (28%) 28.0 (14.0
NH4+14.0
NO3)
Urea 46 (NH2) White prilled material. For rice, to avoid run-off loss, drain
Urea 45 (NH2) Hygroscopic ,therefore the field before application. Broadcast
Requires alkathene and incorporate in the soil, re-flood
lined bags for storage. after 36 hours.
It is less acid forming
than Ammonium
sulphate, Being a
concentrated fertiliser,it
is the cheapest ‘N’
fertiliser:
Ammonium Chloride 25.0 White granular material It has greater acidulating effect on soil
(NH4) than Ammonium sulphate. It is not
recommended for saline soils and also
application to potato, tobacco, tomato
& grapes, because of its high chloride
content.
Phosphatic Fertilizers(P2O5) Suitable for all kinds of soils and
Super phosphate (single) 16.0 It is grayish powdery crops. It is also useful as a source of
material. It is corrosive, Calcium and sulphur for the crops as it
hence packing material contains about 50% gypsum. It helps
need acid proof to improve the permeability in heavy
coating. soils and corrects alkalinity to some
extent.
Super phosphate (Triple) 46.0 Granular, ashy grey in Concentrated phosphoric fertiliser.
colour. Suitable for neutral soils.
Rock phosphate 27 to 35 This fertiliser is grayish It should be applied in finely ground
in colour. condition.
Mussoriphos ( rock 20-23 Dark or black in colour. Should be used in acid soil & for
phosphate) perennial crops.
Potassic Fertilizers (k2O)
Potassium Chloride (MOP) 60 Generally white and It can be used in all soils safely. It
fine crystalline should not be used continuously is
substance and non-acid forming. for Chloride
Generally white. sensitive crops like tobacco, potato
and grapes etc.
Potassium sulphate 48 It is a non-acid forming Quite suitable for all crops and all
fertilizer. soils. It is ideal for crops like tobacco.
NP/NPK Fertilizers.
Di-Ammonium phosphate 18 (N) These granular While its use in acid soils in normal
(18.46:0) NH4 46 fertilizers have doses is not prohibited, good
(P2O5) excellent physical responses are obtained on neutral and
properties permitting alkaline soils. This can be used on
storage under all light as well as heavy soils. These are
conditions. ideally suited for basal application.
Ammonium phosphate 16 (N) Available in granular Well suited for all soils for basal
sulphate (16:20:0) NH4 20 form and can be well application to most of the crops.
(P2O5) stored and handled.
Suphala (20:20:0) 20 (N) The nitrogen is mostly These are suitable for most of the
(10.81 in the form of crops except paddy preferably for
NH4+9.19 Ammonium Nitrate and acidic and non-cal carious soil.
NO3)20(P Ammonium phosphate.
2O5) The fertilizers are
supplied in granular
form.
Suphala. (15:15:15) 15 (N) DO DO
(8.1 NH4
form + 6.9
NO3form)
15(P2O5)
and
15(K2O)
Gromor (28:28:0)(Urea 28 (N)(9.0 The fertilizer is Suitable for all soils and for most of
Ammonium phosphate) NH4+19.0 available in granular the crops as basal application.
NH2)28(P form and can be well
2O5) stored and handled.
N.P.K (14:35:14) 14(N)NH4 Granular and can be Suitable for most crops and soils as
35(P2O5) stored well & handled. basal,better for pulse and oilseed
14(K2O) crops.
IFFCO/N.P.K (10:26:26) 10(N) DO Suitable for most crops and soils as
NH4 basal.
26(P2O5)2
6(K2O)
Vijaya(24:24:0) 24(N)(7.5 Granular & can be Suitable for mostof the crops and soils
NH4+16.5 stored well and handled as basal.
NH2)24(P
2O5)
Vijaya (17:17:17) 17(N) (5.0 DO DO
NH4+12.0
NH2)17(P
2O5)17(K2
O)
N.B: NH4 = Nitrogen in Ammonical Form
NO3= Nitrogen in Nitrate Form
NH2 = Nitrogen in Amide Form.
Micronutrient carriers:
Nutrient Micronutrient carriers Content
Zinc Zinc sulphate
-monohydrate 33% Zn
-Heptahydrate 21% Zn
-Chelated Zinc 12% Zn
-Zincated Urea 2% Zn
Iron Ferrous Sulphate 19% Fe
Chelated Iron 12% Fe
Copper Copper Sulphate 24% Cu
Manganese Manganese Sulphate 30.5% Mn
Boron Borax 10.5% B
Solubor 19.0% B
Boronated SSP 0.18% B
Molybdenum Ammonium Molybdate 0.20% Mo
EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR FERTILIZER APPLICATION:
Crops Methods of fertilizer
application
1. Crops with tap roots Apply fertilizers in bands at adepth of
5-6 cm
(Cotton, beans, beet root etc.) either on one or both sides of the
crop row.
2. Crops with semi-tap roots Fertilizer should also be drilled near
the
(Maize, mustard etc.) Roots besides applying in bands.
3. Crops with fibrous roots The fertilizers should be drilled or
broadcast
(paddy, wheat, barley etc.) on the soil and mixed.