2. Hort I: Obj. 24.03 Demonstrate the application of various types of fertilizers.

3. A. General Rules Method used should be practical, effective & cost efficient. Method used affects nutrient availability for plant use. Fertilizer must be dissolved & reach plant roots.

4. B. Banding Placing a band of fertilizer about 2” to the sides & about 2” below seed depth. Do NOT place below seeds because fertilizer will burn roots.

5. C. Sidedressing Placing a band of fertilizer near the soil surface & to the sides after seedling emerge from soil

6. D. Topdressing Mixing fertilizer uniformly into the top 1-2” of growing media around the plant

7. E. Perforating Placing fertilizer in 12-18” holes drilled 18” to 24” around the canopy drip line of fruit trees. Cover the holes & the fertilizer slowly dissolves.

8. F. Broadcasting Spreading fertilizer to cover the entire production area.

9. G. Fertigation Incorporating water-soluble fertilizer into the irrigation system of greenhouse & nursery crops. Concentrated solutions usually pass thru proportioners or injectors to dilute to the correct ratio.

10. Types of proportioners Venturi-type: simple & inexpensive, less accurate. Ex. Hozon – depends on water pressure in the hose & in the smaller tube to proportion.

11. b. Positive displacement: more expensive, very accurate. Ex. Commander proportioner & Smith injectors. Physically inject & mix specific amounts of concentrated solution & water.

12. H. Foliar spraying Spraying micronutrients in a solution directly on plant leaves. It is used to quickly correct nutrient deficiencies, but the fertilizer concentration should not be too high or leaf burn will occur.