345.T1

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

Fertilizer Applications

Factors that Affect the Type of Fertilizer Application

• Rooting characteristics of the plants.

• Crop’s demand for nutrients at various points of development.

• Physical and chemical characteristics of soil.

• Physical and chemical characteristics of fertilizer.

• Availability of soil moisture.

• Types of irrigation methods to be used.

345.T2

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

Fertilizer Applications

Pre-plant Applications

• Broadcast– Drop spreader.– Pull type spreader.– Self-propelled

spreader.– Liquid spreader.

• Injection– Drop pipes for liquids,

or tubes for dry fertilizers.

– All fertilizers which can be broadcasted, can also be injected.

345.T3

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

Fertilizer Applications

At-planting Application

• Placement with seed.– The fertilizer is placed in the soil at the same

time as the seed/transplant.• Band Placement.

– The fertilizer is placed to the side of and/or below the seed.

345.T4

Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: SupplementUniversity of California, Davis

Fertilizer Applications

Post-emergence Application

• Side dressing

– Fertilizer is applied to the side of the crop rows.

• Top dressing

– Spreading fertilizers on the soil surface after crop emergence.

• Water run

– The addition of fertilizers via irrigation water.

• Foliar applications

– Spraying fertilizers directly onto the leaf surface.