Fertilizers

Fertilizer definition = A fertilizer is a natural or synthetic, chemical-based substance used to provide plant nutrients to enhance plant growth and fertility.

Fertilizers may also enhance water retention and filter excess liquid, improving soil effectiveness.

There are two types of fertilizer, organic and non-organic. While an organic fertilizer can only contain plant or animal matter, excreta, or compost/plant residue from natural processes, a non-organic fertilizer is manufactured to meet the plant’s nutrient needs.

Fertilizers play an essential role in providing crops with the nutrients they need to grow and be harvested for nutritious food.

All the nutrients in our food come from the soil. To create healthy crops full of nutrients, farmers need to work with healthy soil.

When soil nutrients are missing or in short supply, plants suffer from nutrient deficiency and stop growing.

Fertilizers are plant nutrients applied to agricultural fields to supplement required elements found naturally in the soil.

Farmers turn to fertilizers because these substances contain plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
The manufacture, sale, and transportation of plant fertilizers are heavily regulated.

Soil amendments are made by adding soil fertilizers, but there are different types of fertilizers.

Urea – Urea usually is available to the public in a white, crystalline, organic form. It is a highly concentrated nitrogenous fertilizer and quite hygroscopic, and this means that this fertilizer can be pretty tricky to apply.

Ammonium Nitrate – Ammonium Nitrate is a solid fertilizer commonly applied in granular form; ammonium nitrate provides substantial nitrogen to the soil.

Calcium Nitrate – Calcium Nitrate provides both calcium and nitrogen. It is usually applied as a dissolved solution, allowing for quicker plant uptake but may also be used as a side or top dressing.

Diammonium Phosphate – Diammonium phosphate is the most widely used phosphorus fertilizer. It’s made from two common constituents in the fertilizer industry, and its relatively high nutrient content and excellent physical properties make it a popular choice in farming and other industries.

Monoammonium Phosphate – Monoammonium phosphate is a widely used source of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N).* It’s made of two constituents common in the fertilizer industry and contains the most phosphorus of any standard solid fertilizer.

Triple Super Phosphate – Triple Super Phosphate fertilizer is composed of inorganic nutrients used to restore soil components essential for farming.

Potassium Nitrate – Potassium Nitrate is an excellent source of potassium because of its nutritional value and the contribution it has made to plants’ health and yields.

Potassium Chloride – Potassium Chloride is one of the primary forms of straight potassium fertilizer, as it has a higher potassium content than other fertilizers and dissolves readily.

Typical equipment that is used for handling bulk fertilizer includes:

• Solid fertilizer Blending
• Fertilizer handling equipment
• Bagging systems for fertilizers
• Storage systems for fertilizers
• Thermal processing equipment for fertilizers
• Agglomeration equipment for fertilizers