1. Formulations, Application Rates and Application Equipment
Fertilizers
Formulations, Application Rates and
Application Equipment
Fertilizers

2. Fertilizers Definition –
Any material containing one or more of the essential nutrients that are added to the soil or applied to plant foliage for the purpose of supplementing the plant nutrient supply can be called a fertilizer.
Definition –
Any material containing one or more of the essential nutrients that are added to the soil or applied to plant foliage for the purpose of supplementing the plant nutrient supply can be called a fertilizer.

3. N – P – K
Typical fertilizers generally contain one, two or all three of the macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and/or potassium (K)
The order is always N – P – K
N – P – K
Typical fertilizers generally contain one, two or all three of the macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and/or potassium (K)
The order on a fertilizer label is always N – P – K

4. Types of Fertilizer Fertilizers can be divided into 3 categories
Simple fertilizers
Complex fertilizers
Complete fertilizers
Types of Fertilizer
Fertilizers are divided into 3 main categories
Simple fertilizers, complex fertilizers and balanced fertilizers

5. Simple Fertilizers
Simple fertilizers contain only a single macro-nutrient
N, P, or K
Ex or
Simple Fertilizers
Simple fertilizers contain only single nutrient
Ex. A nitrogen fertilizer containing ammonium sulfate with an analysis of or perhaps a super phosphate fertilizer that contains only phosphorous and possesses an analysis of

6. Complex Fertilizers
Complex fertilizers contain two or more of the macro-nutrients
Ex or
Complex Fertilizers
Complex fertilizers contain two or more of the macro-nutrients
Ex. A fertilizer with a label analysis of or

7. Complete Fertilizers
Complete fertilizers contain all 3 macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous, (P) and potassium (K)
Ex or
Complete Fertilizers
Complete fertilizers contain all 3 macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous, (P) and potassium (K)
Ex. A starter fertilizer with an analysis of or

8. Balanced Fertilizers
Balanced fertilizers contain the same amounts or relatively similar amounts of the macro-nutrients
Balanced Fertilizers
Balanced fertilizers contain the same amounts or relatively similar amounts of macro-nutrients; for instance, or N-P-K respectively

9. Fertilizer Analysis (Grade)
The numbers associated with the N-P-K (ex ) on a fertilizer label are referred to as the fertilizer analysis or grade
The numbers indicate a percentage amount of those macro-nutrients in the product
Fertilizer Analysis or Grade
The numbers associated with the N-P-K (ex ) on a fertilizer label are referred to as the fertilizer analysis or grade
The numbers indicate a percentage amount of those macro-nutrients in the product

10. Fertilizer Analysis
Ex. - For a “triple 20” fertilizer, or a fertilizer with a analysis on a fertilizer label
The product contains:
20% nitrogen (N)
20% phosphate (P2O5)
20% potassium oxide (K2O)
Fertilizer Analysis
For instance, a “triple 20” fertilizer, or a fertilizer with a analysis on a fertilizer
The label indicates that the product contains:
20% nitrogen (N)\
20% phosphate (P2O5)
20% potassium oxide (K2O)

11. The Label
The Label

12. The Label
The Label

13. Determining the Amount of Nitrogen
For a fertilizer analysis of
The first 20 indicates the percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer
The percent of nitrogen is an “actual” amount
This fertilizer contains 20% actual nitrogen
In this case, the 20 means that there are 20 pounds of actual nitrogen per 100 pounds of fertilizer
Determining the Amount of Nitrogen
For an analysis of
The first number 20 indicates the percentage of nitrogen in the bag
The percent of nitrogen is a measure of an “actual” amount of nitrogen in a fertilizer
This fertilizer contains 20% actual nitrogen
In this case, the 20 means that there is in fact 20 pounds of actual nitrogen per 100 pounds of fertilizer or 20%

14. Nitrogen Example
If:
A 100 lb bag of fertilizer contains a label analysis of
How much actual nitrogen is in the bag?
The answer:
20% = 0.20 so
20% of 100 lbs = 0.20 x 100 = 20 lbs actual N
There is 20% actual nitrogen in the bag or 20% of the 100 lbs. bag is actual nitrogen
Nitrogen Example
If:
A 100 lb bag of fertilizer contains a label analysis of
How much actual nitrogen is in the bag?
The answer:
20% = 0.20 so
20% of 20 lbs = 0.20 x 20 = 4 lbs actual N
There is 20% actual nitrogen in the bag or 20% of the 20 lbs. bag is actual nitrogen

15. Nitrogen Example    For a 100 lbs bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer
There are 20 pounds of actual nitrogen in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer
pounds of actual N   
percentage of N
amount of fertilizer
Nitrogen Example
For a 20 lbs bag of fertilizer
.20 x 20 = 4
There are 4 pounds of actual nitrogen in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer

16. Determining the Amount of Phosphorous
For a fertilizer analysis of
The second 20 indicates the percentage of phosphate in the fertilizer
The percent of phosphate is not an “actual” amount phosphorous
This fertilizer contains 20% phosphate (P2O5)
Determining the Amount of Phosphorous
For an analysis of
The second 20 indicates the percentage of phosphate in the fertilizer
The percent of phosphate is not an “actual” amount of phosphorous
This fertilizer contains 20% phosphate (P2O5)
In this case, the 20 does not means that there is 20 pounds of actual phosphorous per 100 pounds of fertilizer
We have to calculate the actual amount of actual phosphorous in the bag

17. Determining the Amount of Phosphorous
In this case, the 20 does not mean that there are 20 pounds of actual phosphorous per 100 pounds of fertilizer
Using a conversion factor we have to calculate the actual amount
The conversion factor is
Determining the Amount of Phosphorous
In this case, the 20 does not mean that there are 20 pounds of actual phosphorous per 100 pounds of fertilizer
Using a conversion factor we have to calculate the actual amount
The conversion factor is

18. Phosphorous Example As before, using the “triple 20” sample
We know there is 20% phosphate (P2O5) in the bag of fertilizer
To determine the amount of actual phosphorous ….
Multiply the percentage of (P2O5) x the conversion factor x the bag weight
Phosphorous Example
As before, using the “triple 20” sample
We know there is 20% phosphate (P2O5) in the bag of fertilizer
To determine the amount of actual phosphorous ….
Multiply the percentage of (P2O5) x the conversion factor x the bag weight

19. Phosphorous Example     For a 100 lbs bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer
.20 x .43 x 100 = 8.6
There are 8.6 pounds of actual phosphorus in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer
conversion factor 
pounds of actual P   
percentage of P2O5
amount of fertilizer
Phosphorous Example
For a 100 lbs bag of fertilizer
.20 x .43 x 100 = 8.6
There are 8.6 pounds of actual phosphorus in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer

20. Determining the Amount of Potassium
For a fertilizer analysis of
The third 20 indicates the percentage of potassium oxide in the fertilizer
The percent of potassium oxide is not an “actual” amount of potassium
This fertilizer contains 20% potassium oxide (K2O)
Determining the Amount of Potassium
The second 20 indicates the percentage of potassium oxide in the fertilizer
The percent of potassium is not an “actual” amount of potassium
This fertilizer contains 20% potassium oxide (K2O)

21. Determining the Amount of Potassium
In this case, the 20 does not mean that there are 20 pounds of actual potassium per 100 pounds of fertilizer
Using a conversion factor we have to calculate the actual amount
The conversion factor is
Determining the Amount of Potassium
In this case, the 20 does not mean that there are 20 pounds of actual potassium per 100 pounds of fertilizer
Using a conversion factor we have to calculate the actual amount
The conversion factor is

22. Potassium Example As before, using the “triple 20” sample
We know there is 20% potassium oxide (K2O) in the bag of fertilizer
To determine the amount of actual potassium ….
Multiply the percentage of (K2O) x the conversion factor x the bag weight
Potassium Example
As before, using the “triple 20” sample
We know there is 20% potassium oxide (K2O) in the bag of fertilizer
To determine the amount of actual potassium ….
Multiply the percentage of (K2O) x the conversion factor x the bag weight

23. Potassium Example     For a 100 lbs bag of 20-20-20 fertilizer
.20 x .83 x 100 = 16.6
There are 16.6 pounds of actual potassium in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer
conversion factor 
pounds of actual K   
percentage of K2O
amount of fertilizer
Potassium Example
For a 100 lbs bag of fertilizer
.20 x .83 x 100 = 16.6
There are 16.6 pounds of actual potassium in 100 pounds of “triple 20” fertilizer

24. Application Example Assume we have 4,500 sq. ft. of turf
The normal recommendation for turf fertilizer applications is between 1.0 lbs and 1.5 lbs actual N per 1,000 square feet
Application Example
Assume we have 4,500 sq. ft. of turf
The normal recommendation for turf fertilizer applications is between 1.0 lbs and 1.5 lbs actual N per 1,000 square feet
We will be using a fertilizer with an analysis of
How much fertilizer will we need to cover the given 4,500 sq. ft. of turf area?

25. Lbs. of Fertilizer Required
Application Example
We will be using a fertilizer with an analysis of
How much fertilizer will we need to cover the given 4,500 sq. ft. of turf area?
The calculation:
Application Example
We will be using a fertilizer with an analysis of
The application rate will be 1 lb actual N per 1,000 sq. ft.
How much fertilizer will we need to cover the given 4,500 sq. ft. of turf area?
Area to be
Fertilized (sq. ft.)
1,000 sq. ft.
Lbs. of Fertilizer Required
100% Fertilizer
% Actual N X
Application
Rate X =

26. 17.1 Lbs. of Fertilizer Required
Application Example
To determine the amount of fertilizer required based on nitrogen requirements
17.1 Lbs. of Fertilizer Required
100% Fertilizer
.26Actual N X
1 lbs N per
1,000 sq. ft. X
4,500 sq. ft. =
Application Example
To determine the amount of fertilizer required based on nitrogen requirements
___1___
.26 N X
1 lb N
1,000 sq. ft. X
4,500 sq. ft. =
17.1 Lbs. of Fertilizer

27. How Much Phosphorous?     .05 x .43 x 17.1 = .37
Using the previous information, how much actual phosphorous will be applied to the same 4,500 sq. ft. area?
0.37 pounds of actual phosphorous will be applied to the 4,500 sq. ft. area
conversion factor
pounds of actual P  
.05 x .43 x 17.1 = .37
How Much Phosphorous?  
percentage of P2O5
amount of fertilizer

28. How Much Potassium?    
Using the previous information, how much actual potassium will be applied to the same 4,500 sq. ft. area?
0.43 pounds of actual potassium will be applied to the 4,500 sq. ft. area
conversion factor
pounds of actual K  
.03 x .83 x 17.1 = .43
How Much Potassium?  
percentage of K2O
amount of fertilizer

29. Fertilizer Application Equipment
There are several methods commonly used to apply various forms of fertilizers
Some of the more common application equipment include:
Drop spreaders
Rotary spreaders
Hose-end sprayers
Tank sprayers
There are also several forms of equipment used to spread or spray fertilizers that can be attached to and or towed behind vehicles
Fertilizer Application Equipment
There are several methods commonly used to apply various forms of fertilizers
Some of the more common application equipment include:
Drop spreaders
Rotary spreaders
Hose-end sprayers
Tank sprayers
There are also several forms of equipment used to spread or spray fertilizers that can be attached to and or towed behind vehicles

30. Drop Spreaders
Drop Spreaders

31. Broadcast Spreaders
Broadcast Spreaders

32. Broadcast Spreaders
Broadcast Spreaders

33. Tank Sprayers
Tank sprayers operate using compressed air or in some cases compressed liquids
Tank Sprayers
Tank sprayers operate using compressed air or in some cases compressed liquids

34. Tank Sprayers Large tank sprayers use a pump to create pressure

35. Backpack Sprayers
Backpack sprayers also used pressure to apply chemicals
Backpack Sprayers

36. Hose-End Sprayers
Hose-end sprayers apply pesticides or fertilizers using a siphon action
Hose-End Sprayers
Hose-end sprayers apply pesticides or fertilizers using a siphon action

37. In-Line Applicators In-line applicators also use a siphon action