fertilizers and types

8/12/2019 Fertilizers and Types

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FertilizerFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fertilizer(or fertiliser) is any organic or inorganic material of natural or

synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that is added to a soil to supply

one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants.[1]A recentassessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to

commercial fertilizer use.[2]

Mined inorganic fertilizers have been used for many centuries, whereas

chemically synthesized inorganic fertilizers were only widely developed during

theindustrial revolution.Increased understanding and use of fertilizers were

important parts of the pre-industrialBritish Agricultural Revolutionand the

industrialGreen Revolutionof the 20th century.

Inorganic fertilizer use has also significantly supported globalpopulation

growthit has been estimated that almost half the people on the Earth are

currently fed as a result of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use.[3]

Fertilizers typically provide, in varyingproportions:

six

macronutrients:nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),potassium(K),calcium(Ca),magnesium(Mg), andsulfur(S);

seven

micronutrients:boron(B),chlorine(Cl),copper(Cu),iron(Fe),manganese(Mn)

,molybdenum(Mo), andzinc(Zn).

The macronutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant

tissue in quantities from 0.15% to 6.0% on a dry matter (0% moisture) basis

(DM). Micronutrients are consumed in smaller quantities and are present in

plant tissue on the order of parts per million (ppm), ranging from 0.15 to 400

ppm DM, or less than 0.04% DM.[4][5]

Only three other macronutrients are required by all plants:carbon,hydrogen,

andoxygen.These nutrients are supplied by water and carbon dioxide.

The nitrogen-rich fertilizerammonium nitrateis also used as anoxidizing

agentinimprovised explosive devices,sometimes calledfertilizer bombs,leading to sale regulations

[citation needed].
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[edit]Labeling

Main article:labeling of fertilizers

The labeling of fertilizers varies by country in terms of analysis methodology

and subsequent nutrient labeling. In most countries the macronutrients are

labeled with anNPKanalysis (in Australia, "N-P-K-S" addingsulfur).[6]

The three numbers on the fertilizer label represent an analysis of the

composition by weight. These three numbers correspond to nitrogen,

phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) and always appear in that specific order.

When a 4th number is included, it indicates the sulfur content (N-P-K-S).

While the number for "N" represents the percentage weight of nitrogen, theother two components are not for the analysis of the element, but rather, the

analysis of the "available" or "soluble" form of the element. In traditional

chemical analysis, the tests used treated the sample so as to measure the

equivalent P2O5and K2O. For instance, some potassium-bearing rocks do not

count as having available potassium.

The number for "P" is actually the weight of an equivalent quantity of P2O5and

not elemental phosphorus. In order to calculate the weight of P in theformulation, the weight of P2O5can be multiplied by 0.44 to compensate for

the weight of the oxygen in the molecule. For example, a bag of 10-10-10 has

10 pounds of nitrogen, 10 pounds of P2O5, but only 4.4 pounds of P.

Likewise, the number for "K" is actually the weight of an equivalent quantity of

K2O, and not elemental potassium. In order to calculate the weight of K in the

formulation, the weight of K2O can be multiplied by 0.83 to compensate for the

weight of the oxygen in the molecule. For example, a bag of 10-10-10 has 10pounds of K2O, but only 8.3 pounds of K.

As an example, the fertilizerpotash(in modern times, potassium chloride) is

composed of 52% potassium and 48% chlorine by weight; chemical analysis of

100g of potassium chloride (KCl), would show 63g of equivalent potassium

oxide (K2O)when done in the manner of fertilizer analysis. Thepercentage

yieldof K2O from the original 100g of fertilizer is the number shown on the

label. A potash fertilizer would thus be labeled 0-0-63, and not0-0-52.
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[edit]History

Main articles:History of organic farmingandHistory of fertilizer

The modern understanding of plant nutrition dates to the 19th century and the

work ofJustus von Liebig,among others. Management ofsoil fertility,

however, has been the pre-occupation of farmers for thousands of years.

[edit]Forms

Fertilizers come in various forms. The most typical[citation needed]form is granular

fertilizer (powder form). The next most common form is liquid fertilizer[citation

needed]; some advantages of liquid fertilizer are its immediate effect and wide

coverage. There are also slow-release fertilizers (various forms includingfertilizer spikes, tabs, etc.) which reduce the problem of "burning" the plants

due to excess nitrogen.

More recently, organic fertilizer is on the rise[citation needed]

as people are

resorting toenvironmental friendly(or 'green') products. Although organic

fertilizer usually contain less nutrients[citation needed]

, some people[which?]

still prefer

organic due to natural ingredients.

[edit]Inorganic fertilizer (synthetic fertilizer)

Fertilizers are broadly divided intoorganicfertilizers(composed of enriched

organic matterplant or animal), orinorganicfertilizers(composed

ofsyntheticchemicals and/or minerals).

Inorganic fertilizer is often synthesized using theHaber-Bosch process,which

producesammoniaas the end product. This ammonia is used as

afeedstockfor other nitrogen fertilizers, such asanhydrous ammoniumnitrateandurea.These concentrated products may be diluted with water to

form a concentrated liquid fertilizer (e.g.UAN). Ammonia can be combined

withrock phosphateand potassium fertilizer in theOdda Processto

produce compound fertilizer.

The use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers has increased steadily in the last 50

years, rising almost 20-fold to the current rate of 100 million tonnes of

nitrogen per year.[7]

The use of phosphate fertilizers has also increased from 9million tonnes per year in 1960 to 40 million tonnes per year in 2000. A maize
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crop yielding 6-9 tonnes of grain per hectare requires 3150 kg

ofphosphatefertilizer to be applied, soybean requires 2025 kg per

hectare.[8]

Yara Internationalis the world's largest producer of nitrogen based

fertilizers.[9]

[edit]Controlled-release types

Urea and formaldehyde, reacted together to produce sparingly soluble

polymers of various molecular weights, is one of the oldest controlled-

nitrogen-release technologies, having been first produced in 1936 and

commercialized in 1955.[10]

The early product had 60 percent of the total

nitrogen cold-water-insoluble, and the unreacted (quick release) less than 15%.

Methylene ureas were commercialized in the 1960s and 1970s, having 25 and60% of the nitrogen cold-water-insoluble, and unreacted urea nitrogen in the

range of 15 to 30%. Isobutylidene diurea, unlike the methylurea polymers, is a

single crystalline solid of relatively uniform properties, with about 90% of the

nitrogen water-insoluble.

In the 1960s theNational Fertilizer Development Centerbegan developing

Sulfur-coated urea; sulfur was used as the principle coating material because

of its low cost and its value as a secondary nutrient.[10]

Usually there is anotherwax or polymer which seals the sulfur; the slow release properties depend on

the degradation of the secondary sealant by soil microbes as well as

mechanical imperfections (cracks, etc.) in the sulfur. They typically provide 6 to

16 weeks of delayed release in turf applications. When a hard polymer is used

as the secondary coating, the properties are a cross between diffusion-

controlled particles and traditional sulfur-coated.

Other coated products use thermoplastics (and sometimes ethylene-vinylacetate and surfactants, etc.) to produce diffusion-controlled release of urea or

soluble inorganic fertilixers. "Reactive Layer Coating" can produce thinner,

hence cheaper, membrane coatings by applying reactive monomers

simultaneously to the soluble particles. "Multicote" is a process applying layers

of low-cost fatty acid salts with a paraffin topcoat.

Besides being more efficient in the utilization of the applied nutrients, slow-

release technologies also reduce the impact on the environment and thecontamination of the subsurface water.

[10]
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[edit]Application

Synthetic fertilizers are commonly

used to treat fields used for

growingmaize,followedbybarley,sorghum,rapeseed,soya

ndsunflower[citation needed]

. One study

has shown that application of

nitrogen fertilizer on off-

seasoncover cropscan increase the

biomass (and subsequentgreen

manurevalue) of these crops, while

having a beneficial effect on soil

nitrogen levels for the main crop

planted during the summer

season.[12]

Nutrients in soil can be thrown out

of balance with high concentrations

of fertilizers. The

interconnectedness and complexity

of thissoil food webmeans any

appraisal of soil function must

necessarily take into account

interactions with the living

communities that exist within the

soil. Stability of the system is reduced by the use of nitrogen-containing

fertilizers, which causesoil acidification[citation needed]

.

Applying excessive amounts of fertilizer has negative environmental effects,

and wastes the growers' time and money. To avoid over-application, the

nutrient status of crops should be assessed. Nutrient deficiency can be

detected by visually assessing the physical symptoms of the crop.Nitrogen

deficiency,for example has a distinctive presentation in some species.

However, quantitative tests are more reliable for detecting nutrient deficiency

before it has significantly affected the crop. Bothsoil testsandPlant Tissue

Top users of nitrogen-based fertilizer[11]

CountryTotal N use

(Mt pa)

Amt. used

(feed/pasture)

China 18.7 3.0

U.S. 9.1 4.7

France 2.5 1.3

Germany 2.0 1.2

Brazil 1.7 0.7

Canada 1.6 0.9

Turkey 1.5 0.3

U.K. 1.3 0.9

Mexico 1.3 0.3

Spain 1.2 0.5

Argentina 0.4 0.1
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Testsare used in agriculture to fine-tune nutrient management to the crops

needs.

[edit]Problems with inorganic fertilizer

[edit]Trace mineral depletion

Many inorganic fertilizers may not replacetrace mineralelements in the soil

which become gradually depleted by crops. This depletion has been linked to

studies which have shown a marked fall (up to 75%) in the quantities of such

minerals present in fruit and vegetables.[13]

InWestern Australiadeficiencies

ofzinc,copper,manganese,ironandmolybdenumwere identified as limitingthe growth of broad-acre crops and pastures in the 1940s and 1950s

[citation

needed]. Soils in Western Australia are very old, highly weathered and deficient in

many of the major nutrients and trace elements[citation needed]. Since this time

these trace elements are routinely added to inorganic fertilizers used in

agriculture in this state[citation needed].

[edit]Overfertilization

See also:Fertilizer burn

Fertilizer burn

Over-fertilization of a vital nutrient can be as detrimental as

underfertilization.[14]

"Fertilizer burn" can occur when too much fertilizer is

applied, resulting in a drying out of the roots and damage or even death of the

plant.[15]

[edit]High energy consumption
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In the USA in 2004, 317 billion cubic feet ofnatural gaswas consumed in the

industrial production of ammonia, less than 1.5% of total U.S. annual

consumption of natural gas.[16]

A 2002 report suggested that the production of

ammonia consumes about 5% of global natural gas consumption, which is

somewhat under 2% of world energy production.[17]

Natural gas is overwhelmingly used for the production of ammonia, but other

energy sources, together with a hydrogen source, can be used for the

production of nitrogen compounds suitable for fertilizers. The cost of natural

gas makes up about 90% of the cost of producing ammonia.[18]

The increase in

price of natural gases over the past decade, along with other factors such as

increasing demand, have contributed to an increase in fertilizer price.[19]

[edit]Long-Term Sustainability

Inorganic fertilizers are now produced in ways which theoretically cannot be

continued indefinitely by definition as the resources used in their production

arenon-renewable.Potassium and phosphorus come from mines (orsaline

lakessuch as theDead Sea)and such resources are limited. More effective

fertilizer utilization practices may, however, decrease present usage from

mines. Improved knowledge of crop production practices can potentiallydecrease fertilizer usage of P and K without reducing the critical need to

improve and increase crop yields. Atmospheric (unfixed)nitrogen is effectively

unlimited (forming over 70% of theatmospheric gases), but this is not in a

form useful to plants. To make nitrogen accessible to plants requiresnitrogen

fixation(conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to a plant-accessible form).

Artificial nitrogen fertilizers are typically synthesized usingfossil fuelssuch

asnatural gasandcoal,which are limited resources. In lieu of convertingnatural gas tosyngasfor use in theHaber process,it is also possible to convert

renewablebiomassto syngas (orwood gas)to supply the necessary energy for

the process, though the amount of land and resources (ironically often

including fertilizer) necessary for such a project may be prohibitive.

[edit]Organic fertilizer

Main article:Organic fertilizer
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Compost bin for small-scale production of organic fertilizer

A large commercial compost operation

Organic fertilizers include naturally occurring organic materials,

(e.g.manure,worm castings,compost,seaweed,guano), or naturally

occurringmineraldeposits (e.g.saltpeter).

[edit]Benefits of organic fertilizer

Organic fertilizers have been known to improve biodiversity (soil life)and long-

term productivity of soil,

[20][21]

and may prove a large depository forexcesscarbon dioxide.[22][23][24]

Organic nutrients increase the abundance of soil organisms by providing

organic matter andmicronutrientsfor organisms such as

fungalmycorrhiza,[25](which aid plants in absorbing nutrients), and can

drastically reduce external inputs of pesticides, energy and fertilizer, at the

cost of decreased yield.[26]

[edit]Disadvantages of organic fertilizers
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ction=13http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineralhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaweedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worm_castingshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manure


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Organic fertilizers may contain pathogens and other disease causing organisms

if not properly composted

Nutrient contents are very variable and their release to available forms that

the plant can use may not occur at the right plant growth stage

Organic fertilizers are comparatively voluminous and can be too bulky to

deploy the right amount of nutrients that will be beneficial to plants

More expensive to produce

[edit]Comparison with inorganic fertilizer

Organic fertilizer nutrient content, solubility, and nutrient release rates are

typically all lower than inorganic fertilizers.[27][28]One study[which?]found that

over a 140-day period, after 7leachings:

Organic fertilizers had released between 25% and 60% of their nitrogen

content

Controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) had a relatively constant rate of release

Soluble fertilizer released most of its nitrogen content at the first leaching

In general, the nutrients in organic fertilizer are both more dilute and also

much less readily available to plants. According to the University of California's

integrated pest management program, all organic fertilizersare classified as

'slow-release' fertilizers, and therefore cannot cause nitrogen burn.[29]

Organic fertilizers from composts and other sources can be quite variable from

one batch to the next.[30]

Without batch testing, amounts of applied nutrient

cannot be precisely known. Nevertheless they are at least as effective aschemical fertilizers over longer periods of use.

[31]

[edit]Example of organic fertilizer

Chicken litter,which consists of chicken manure mixed with sawdust, is an

organic fertilizer that has been shown to better condition soil for harvest than

synthesized fertilizer. Researchers at theAgricultural Research Service(ARS)

studied the effects of using chicken litter, an organic fertilizer, versus synthetic

fertilizers on cotton fields, and found that fields fertilized with chicken litter
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=15http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_wordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_wordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_wordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaching_(agriculture)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaching_(agriculture)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaching_(agriculture)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=16http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=16http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_litterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_litterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_Research_Servicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_Research_Servicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_Research_Servicehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_litterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=16http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-30http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaching_(agriculture)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Avoid_weasel_wordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-26http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=15


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had a 12% increase in cotton yields over fields fertilized with synthetic

fertilizer. In addition to higher yields, researchers valued commercially sold

chicken litter at a $17/ton premium (to a total valuation of $78/ton) over the

traditional valuations of $61/ton due to value added as asoil conditioner.[32]

Other ARS studies have found that algae used to capture nitrogen and

phosphorus runoff from agricultural fields can not only prevent water

contamination of these nutrients, but also can be used as an organic fertilizer.

ARS scientists originally developed the "algal turf scrubber" to reduce nutrient

runoff and increase quality of water flowing into streams, rivers, and lakes.

They found that this nutrient-rich algae, once dried, can be applied to

cucumber and corn seedlings and result in growth comparable to that seen

using synthetic fertilizers.[33]

[edit]Organic fertilizer sources

[edit]Animal

Decomposing animal manure, an organic fertilizer source

Animal-sourced and humanureaare suitable for application organic

agriculture, while pure synthetic forms of urea are not.[34][35]

The common

thread that can be seen through these examples is that organicagriculture

attempts to define itself through minimal processing (in contrast to the man-

madeHaber process), as well as being naturally occurring or via natural

biological processes such ascomposting.[citation needed]

Besides immediate application of urea to the soil,urinecan also be improved

by converting it tostruvitealready done with human urine by a Dutch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_conditionerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_conditionerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-32http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=17http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=18http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=18http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=18http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ureahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ureahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ureahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_processhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_processhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_processhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compostinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compostinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compostinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struvitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struvitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struvitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hestem%C3%B8j.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hestem%C3%B8j.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hestem%C3%B8j.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hestem%C3%B8j.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struvitehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compostinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_processhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-33http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ureahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=18http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-32http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-31http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_conditioner


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firm.[36]

The conversion is performed by adding magnesium to the urine. An

added economical advantage of using urine as fertilizer is that it contains a

large amount of phosphorus, a mineral whose production is rapidly decreasing

(peak phosphorus)as the mines are running dry.

Sewage sludge(akabiosolids)use is only available to less than 1% of US

ag[clarification needed]

land.USDAprohibits use ofsewage sludgeinorganic

agriculturaloperations in the U.S. has been extremely limited and rare due to

of the practice (due to toxic metal accumulation, among other

factors).[37][38]

The USDA now requires 3rd-party certification of high-nitrogen

liquid organic fertilizers sold in the U.S.[39]

[edit]Plant

Leguminouscover cropsare also grown to enrich soil as agreen

manurethroughnitrogen fixationfrom the atmosphere;[40]

as well as

phosphorus (through nutrient mobilization)[41]

content ofsoils.

[edit]Mineral

Mined powderedlimestone,[42]

rock phosphateandsodium nitrate,

areinorganic(not of biologic origins) compounds which are energeticallyintensive to harvest and are approved for usage in organic agriculture

in minimalamounts.[42][43][44]

[edit]Negative environmental effects

Runoffofsoiland fertilizer during a rain storm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-35http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_phosphorushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_phosphorushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_phosphorushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewage_sludgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewage_sludgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosolidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosolidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosolidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarifyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarifyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarifyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USDAhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USDAhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USDAhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewage_sludgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewage_sludgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewage_sludgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-USDA_certification_of_high-nitrogen_liquid_fertilizer-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-USDA_certification_of_high-nitrogen_liquid_fertilizer-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-USDA_certification_of_high-nitrogen_liquid_fertilizer-38http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=19http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=19http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_crophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_crophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_crophttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_manurehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_manurehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_manurehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_manurehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=20http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=20http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limestonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limestonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-google.com-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-google.com-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_phosphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_phosphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_phosphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inorganichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inorganichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inorganichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-google.com-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-google.com-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=21http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=21http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Runoff_of_soil_&_fertilizer.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Runoff_of_soil_&_fertilizer.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Runoff_of_soil_&_fertilizer.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Runoff_of_soil_&_fertilizer.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-43http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-google.com-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-google.com-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inorganichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_phosphatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-google.com-41http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limestonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-40http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-39http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_manurehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_manurehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_crophttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-USDA_certification_of_high-nitrogen_liquid_fertilizer-38http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-36http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewage_sludgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USDAhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarifyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosolidshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewage_sludgehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_phosphorushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-35


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Analgal bloomcausing eutrophication

See also:Environmental effects of agricultureandHuman impacts on the

nitrogen cycle

[edit]Water quality

[edit]Eutrophication

The nitrogen-rich compounds found in fertilizer runoff is the primary cause of a

serious depletion of oxygen in many parts of the ocean, especially in coastal

zones; the resulting lack of dissolved oxygen is greatly reducing the ability of

these areas to sustain oceanicfauna.[45]

Visually, water may become cloudy

and discolored (green, yellow, brown, or red).

About half of all the lakes in the United States are noweutrophic,while the

number of oceanicdead zonesnear inhabited coastlines are increasing.[46]As

of 2006, the application of nitrogen fertilizer is being increasingly controlled in

Britain and the United States[citation needed]

. Ifeutrophicationcanbe reversed, it

may take decades[citation needed]

before the accumulated nitrates in groundwater

can be broken down by natural processes.

[edit]Blue Baby Syndrome

High application rates of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers in order to maximize

crop yields, combined with the high solubilities of these fertilizers leads to

increasedrunoffinto surface water as well asleachinginto

groundwater.[47][48][49]

The use ofammonium nitratein inorganicfertilizers is

particularly damaging, as plants absorb ammonium ions preferentially over

nitrate ions, while excess nitrate ions which are not absorbed dissolve (by rain

or irrigation) into runoff or groundwater.[50]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algal_bloomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algal_bloomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algal_bloomhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_effects_of_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_effects_of_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_effects_of_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impacts_on_the_nitrogen_cyclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impacts_on_the_nitrogen_cyclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impacts_on_the_nitrogen_cyclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impacts_on_the_nitrogen_cyclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=22http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=22http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=22http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=23http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=23http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faunahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faunahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_zone_(ecology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_zone_(ecology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_zone_(ecology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=24http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=24http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoff#Agricultural_issueshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoff#Agricultural_issueshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoff#Agricultural_issueshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaching_(agriculture)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaching_(agriculture)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaching_(agriculture)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EutrophicationEutrophisationEutrophierung.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EutrophicationEutrophisationEutrophierung.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EutrophicationEutrophisationEutrophierung.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EutrophicationEutrophisationEutrophierung.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-49http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_nitratehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-48http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-46http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaching_(agriculture)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_runoff#Agricultural_issueshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophicationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_neededhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-45http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_zone_(ecology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-44http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faunahttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=23http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impacts_on_the_nitrogen_cyclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impacts_on_the_nitrogen_cyclehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_effects_of_agriculturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algal_bloom


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Nitrate levels above 10 mg/L (10 ppm) in groundwater can cause 'blue baby

syndrome'(acquiredmethemoglobinemia), leading tohypoxia(which can lead

to coma and death if not treated).[51]

[edit]Soil

[edit]Soil acidification

See also:Soil pH

Nitrogen-containing inorganic and organic fertilizers can causesoil

acidificationwhen added.[52][4].This may lead to decreases in nutrient

availability which may be offset byliming.

[edit]Persistent organic pollutants

Main article:Persistent organic pollutants

Toxicpersistent organic pollutants("POPs"), such asDioxins,polychlorinated

dibenzo-p-dioxins(PCDDs), andpolychlorinated dibenzofurans(PCDFs) have

been detected in agricultural fertilizers and soil amendments[53]

[edit]Heavy metal accumulation

The concentration of up to 100 mg/kg ofcadmiuminphosphate minerals(for

example, minerals fromNauru[54]

and theChristmas islands[55]

)increases the

contamination of soil with cadmium, for example inNew Zealand.[56]

Steel industry wastes, recycled into fertilizers for their high levels

ofzinc(essential to plant growth), wastes can include the following toxic

metals:lead[57]

arsenic,cadmium,[57]

chromium,andnickel.The most common

toxic elements in this type of fertilizer are mercury, lead, andarsenic.

[58][59]Concerns have been raised concerningfish mealmercury content

by at least one source in Spain[60]

[edit]Radioactive element accumulation

Uraniumis another example of a contaminant often found in phosphate

fertilizers (at levels from 7 to 100 pCi/g).[61]

Eventually these heavy metals can

build up to unacceptable levels and build up in vegetable produce.[56]

Average
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ote-pirg.org-57http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-pirg.org-57http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_mealhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_mealhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_mealhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-Heavy-metal_toxicity_of_catfish_fertilizer_concern-59http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-Heavy-metal_toxicity_of_catfish_fertilizer_concern-59http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=29http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=29http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uraniumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uraniumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-Radiation_Protection:Fertilizer_and_Fertilizer_Production_Wastes-60http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-Radiation_Protection:Fertilizer_and_Fertilizer_Production_Wastes-60http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-Radiation_Protection:Fertilizer_and_Fertilizer_Production_Wastes-60http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-taylor-55http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-taylor-55http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-taylor-55http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-taylor-55http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-Radiation_Protection:Fertilizer_and_Fertilizer_Production_Wastes-60http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uraniumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-Heavy-metal_toxicity_of_catfish_fertilizer_concern-59http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_mealhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-pirg.org-57http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-pirg.org-57http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickelhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-community.seattletimes.nwsource.com-56http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadmiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinchttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-taylor-55http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauruhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauruhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphate_mineralshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadmiumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=28http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-52http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_dibenzofuranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_dibenzo-p-dioxinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_dibenzo-p-dioxinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polychlorinated_dibenzodioxinshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistent_organic_pollutantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistent_organic_pollutantshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=27http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liming_(soil)http://soil.scijournals.org/cgi/content/full/72/1/238http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-51http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_acidificationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_acidificationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_pHhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=26http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fertilizer&action=edit&section=25http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer#cite_note-50http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoxia_(medical)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methemoglobinemiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_baby_syndromehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_baby_syndrome


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annual intake of uranium by adults is estimated to be about 0.5 mg (500 g)

from ingestion of food and water and 0.6 g from breathing air.[62]

Also, highlyradioactivePolonium-210contained in phosphate fertilizers is

absorbed by the roots of plants and stored in its tissues;tobaccoderived fromplants fertilized by rock phosphates contains Polonium-210 which emitsalpha

radiationestimated to cause about 11,700 lung cancer deaths each year

worldwide.[63][64]

[65][66][67][68]

For these reasons, it is recommended thatnutrient budgeting,through careful

observation and monitoring of crops, take place to mitigate the effects of

excess fertilizer application.

[edit]Atmosphere

Global methane concentrations (surface and atmospheric) for 2005; note

distinct plumes

Methane emissions from crop fields (notably ricepaddy fields)are increased

by the application of ammonium-based fertilizers; these emissions contribute

greatly to global climate change as methane is a potent greenhouse gas.[69]

Through the increasing use of nitrogen fertilizer, which is added at a rate of 1

billion tons per year presently

[70]

to the already existing amount of reactivenitrogen,nitrous oxide(N2O) has become the third most
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importantgreenhouse gasafter carbon dioxide and methane. It has a global

warming potential 296 times larger than an equal mass of carbon dioxide and

it also contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion.[71]

Storage and application of some nitrogen fertilizers in some[which?]weather orsoil conditions can cause emissions of the potent greenhouse gasnitrous

oxide.Ammoniagas (NH3) may be emitted following application of 'inorganic'

fertilizers and/or manures and slurries.[citation needed]

The use of fertilizers on a global scaleemits significant

quantitiesofgreenhouse gasinto the atmosphere. Emissions come about

through the use of:[72]

animalmanuresandurea,which releasemethane,nitrous oxide,ammonia,

andcarbon dioxidein varying quantities depending on their form (solid or

liquid) and management (collection, storage, spreading)

fertilizers that usenitric acidorammonium bicarbonate,the production and

application of which results in emissions ofnitrogen oxides,nitrous

oxide,ammoniaandcarbon dioxideinto the atmosphere.

By changing processes and procedures, it is possible to mitigate some, but notall, of these effects onanthropogenic climate change.

[citation needed]

[edit]Other problems

[edit]Increased pest fitness

Excessive nitrogen fertilizer applications can also lead to pest problems by

increasing the birth rate, longevity and overall fitness of certain agricultural

pests, such asaphids(plant lice).[73][74][75][76][77][78]

Landscape-and-Garden

Landscape-and-Garden

The different types of organic and inorganic fertilizer.
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fertilizers and types

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