Active ingredient

total percentage of nutrients being applied

Broadcasting

covering the entire area with fertilizer

Calcium

secondary nutrient that Aids in the movement of carbohydrates in plants, essential to healthy cell walls and root structure

Complete fertilizer

contains all three primary fertilizer nutrients (N-P-K)

Elemental fertilizer

provides only one plant nutrient

Fertigation

application of fertilizers through an irrigation system, usually used in greenhouses, golf courses, and nurseries

Fertilizer

any material used to provide nutrients needed to plants

Fertilizer analysis

the composition of active ingredients in the fertilizer, amount of Nitrogen-Phosophorus- Potassium in the fertilizer

Granular fertilizer

available in pellets or particles, release nutrients over time, do not dissolve in water easily

Inert ingredient

the carrier or filler ingredient that allows deposition of the fertilizer

Inorganic fertilizer

synthetic nutrients from minerals

Liquid fertilizer

purchased in powder form and mixed with water, called water soluble, used to water and fertilize at the same time

Magnesium

secondary nutrient that is an ingredient in chlorophyll, helps move the starch within the plant, needed for fat and oil formation

Nitrogen

key element in vegetative growth, determines green color of plants and density, used by the plant to make chlorophyll

Organic fertilizer

naturally occurring nutrient materials from decomposed plant or animal products

Phosphorus

stimulates plant growth and root development, promotes seed formation

Potassium

improves disease resistance, helps in production of carbohydrates

Sidedressing

placing fertilizer near the soil surface along the both sides of the crop’s rows

Soluble

dissolved in water

Sulfur

secondary nutrient that helps in the formation of oils and protein molecules

Topdressing

placing fertilizer uniformly into the top one to two inches of the growing media around the base of plants