www.zfc.co.zwEmail jchipomho@zfc.co.zw Phone 011 583 776

AGRITEX TRAINING FERTILIZERS

BYBY

Justin Chipomho

FertilizersFertilizers Fertilizers are compounds applied to Fertilizers are compounds applied to

plants to promoting growth.plants to promoting growth. Soil or foliar applied, for uptake by Soil or foliar applied, for uptake by

plant roots or leaves.plant roots or leaves.

Types of FertilizersTypes of Fertilizers

Blends (soluble or field grade)Blends (soluble or field grade) CompoundsCompounds Straight fertilizersStraight fertilizers Specialty fertilizersSpecialty fertilizers Liquid fertilizersLiquid fertilizers Others Like Gypsum and LimeOthers Like Gypsum and Lime

Why do we use FertilizersWhy do we use Fertilizers

To achieve high yields even in nutrient To achieve high yields even in nutrient depleted soils.depleted soils.

Improve crop quality and shelf life Improve crop quality and shelf life (Horticulture product).(Horticulture product).

Supply one or more of the nutrients.Supply one or more of the nutrients. Elements are readily available and easily Elements are readily available and easily

taken up by the crops.taken up by the crops.

Why do we use FertilizersWhy do we use Fertilizers

Fertilizers are easy to handle and to Fertilizers are easy to handle and to apply.apply.

Only the nutrient required can be appliedOnly the nutrient required can be applied

Soil analysisSoil analysis

A soil test - the best guide to the application of A soil test - the best guide to the application of fertilizers. fertilizers.

Analysis includes for pH, fertilizer Analysis includes for pH, fertilizer recommendations and clay content recommendations and clay content determinationdetermination

A representative soil sample gives an average A representative soil sample gives an average estimate of the whole area sampled.estimate of the whole area sampled.

The best time to take samples is in June or The best time to take samples is in June or after harvesting.after harvesting.

Fertilizer RecommendationsFertilizer Recommendations

Type of the cropType of the crop Target yield Target yield Soil analysis resultsSoil analysis results Type of soilType of soil Application timingApplication timing Quality of the cropQuality of the crop

Plant NutrientsPlant Nutrients

Plant nutrients can be divided into two Plant nutrients can be divided into two groups.groups.

Macro elements: Nitrogen (N), Macro elements: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulphur (S).(Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulphur (S).

Plant Nutrients …Plant Nutrients …

Micro elements: Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) Micro elements: Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Chlorine Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Chlorine (Cl),(Cl),

Factors to consider when choosing Factors to consider when choosing application methodapplication method

Type of the crop.Type of the crop. Type of fertilizer Type of fertilizer Crop spacing Crop spacing Soil condition.Soil condition. Stage of the crop.Stage of the crop.

Methods of ApplicationMethods of Application

Broadcasting Broadcasting Side dressingSide dressing BandingBanding Precise application Station /Planting hoePrecise application Station /Planting hoe Foliar Sprays Foliar Sprays

Methods of Application…Methods of Application…

Foliar SpraysFoliar Sprays Done with soluble fertilizers.Done with soluble fertilizers. Fertilizer have less salts to avoid burning Fertilizer have less salts to avoid burning

leaves.leaves. Nutrients are immediately absorbed by the Nutrients are immediately absorbed by the

crop.crop. Pesticides or fungicides can be mixed with Pesticides or fungicides can be mixed with

some pesticides saving on time and labor.some pesticides saving on time and labor.

Methods of Application…Methods of Application…

FertigationFertigation Fertilizer applied through the irrigation Fertilizer applied through the irrigation

system.system. Most efficient practice.Most efficient practice. Applied fertilizers are.Applied fertilizers are. Compatible fertilizers can be mixed in Compatible fertilizers can be mixed in

the tank.the tank. A very efficient way of fertilizer A very efficient way of fertilizer

application and gives good results.application and gives good results.

Methods of Application…Methods of Application…

Drenching.Drenching. Common method with small areas in Common method with small areas in

horticulture.horticulture. Fertilizer is very soluble and is mixed Fertilizer is very soluble and is mixed

with water.with water. Directly applied to the crop using Directly applied to the crop using

watering cans.watering cans.

Fertilizer PlacementFertilizer Placement 4Rs4Rs Correct placementCorrect placement

Fertilizer placement…Fertilizer placement…

Fertilizer placementFertilizer placement

Factors Affecting Fertilizer Use Factors Affecting Fertilizer Use EfficiencyEfficiency

The efficient use of fertilizers entails the The efficient use of fertilizers entails the use of the 5R’s use of the 5R’s

Right kind of material Right kind of material Right source,Right source, Right amount Right amount Right place Right place Right timeRight time

Timing of Fertilizer ApplicationTiming of Fertilizer Application

Which fertilizer do I need.Which fertilizer do I need. How much fertilizer do l need? and How do l How much fertilizer do l need? and How do l

apply it?apply it? Timing and frequency of application of Timing and frequency of application of

fertilizers is dependent on the:fertilizers is dependent on the: Age of the Crop.Age of the Crop. The type of the Crop.The type of the Crop. The type of fertilizer material.The type of fertilizer material. The soil type, – choice of the applicator.The soil type, – choice of the applicator.

Timing of Fertilizer ApplicationTiming of Fertilizer Application

Proper timing is important with nitrogen.Proper timing is important with nitrogen. Phosphate application is most efficient Phosphate application is most efficient

when applied before planting or at when applied before planting or at planting.planting.

All basal fertilizers should be applied at All basal fertilizers should be applied at planting or before planting.planting or before planting.

Complementary practicesComplementary practices

Crop management practices that need Crop management practices that need more attention include: (GAP)more attention include: (GAP)

Selection of varieties.Selection of varieties. Planting dates.Planting dates. Plant populations.Plant populations. Planting depths.Planting depths. Row spacing.Row spacing. Pest control and – tillage methods.Pest control and – tillage methods.

Specialty fertilizersSpecialty fertilizers

These are fertilizers which can either be These are fertilizers which can either be applied directly to crop foliage or can be applied directly to crop foliage or can be added to the soil to supply elements added to the soil to supply elements needed for plant nutrition.needed for plant nutrition.

They are either soluble solids or liquids.They are either soluble solids or liquids.

Other soluble specialty fertsOther soluble specialty ferts

Zinc oxideZinc oxide Solubor / ultraborSolubor / ultrabor Quick start, MAPQuick start, MAP Quick grow, Murate of PotashQuick grow, Murate of Potash Best bloom, Potassium NitrateBest bloom, Potassium Nitrate Calcium NitrateCalcium Nitrate Mag. Nitrate Mag. Nitrate

LiquidsLiquids

Foliar 15Foliar 15 Wuxal CalciumWuxal Calcium Wuxal 3-2-1Wuxal 3-2-1 Foliar FeedFoliar Feed

Benefits of foliar feedingBenefits of foliar feeding

Foliar feeding influence flowering, fruit Foliar feeding influence flowering, fruit set, fruit size, berry size, set, fruit size, berry size,

Correct single or multiple deficiencies of Correct single or multiple deficiencies of nutrients.nutrients.

Rapid plants growth and increased Rapid plants growth and increased returns.returns.

Enhanced absorption of soil applied Enhanced absorption of soil applied nutrients.nutrients.

Environmental effects of fertilizer Environmental effects of fertilizer use.use.

ZFC attains ISO 14001 which is an ZFC attains ISO 14001 which is an environmental management system.environmental management system.

Over use of fertilizers could result in Over use of fertilizers could result in more harm than good.more harm than good.

Excessive use of nitrogen will Excessive use of nitrogen will predispose the plant to disease and pest predispose the plant to disease and pest attack due to softer cell walls present.attack due to softer cell walls present.

In same case nitrogen often induces or In same case nitrogen often induces or prolong the vegetative phase of the crop.prolong the vegetative phase of the crop.

Environmental effects of fertilizer Environmental effects of fertilizer use.use.

Excess nitrogen induce Zn and Cu Excess nitrogen induce Zn and Cu deficiency.deficiency.

Excess phosphorus will result in Zn and Excess phosphorus will result in Zn and Cu deficiency.Cu deficiency.

Nitrogen can lead to Eutrophication and Nitrogen can lead to Eutrophication and can cause excessive death of aquatic can cause excessive death of aquatic organisms.organisms.

It is recommended that knowledge of the It is recommended that knowledge of the nutrient content of the soil and the crop nutrient content of the soil and the crop requirements be carefully balanced. requirements be carefully balanced.

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