Sources of N, P and K

Brad Lubbers

Topic # 2033

Introduction Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium

Common forms taken up by the plant Early forms of phosphorus

Commercial fertilizers Nitrogen fixation

Nitrogen Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3)

Reaction between Nitric Acid (HNO3) and Ammonia (NH3)

34 percent nitrogen

Nitrogen Ammonium Sulfate ((NH4)2SO4)

24 percent sulfur 21 percent nitrogen Produced by reaction between Ammonia

(NH3) and Sulfuric Acid (HSO4)

Nitrogen Urea

46 percent nitrogen Produced by reaction between Ammonia

(NH3) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

Nitrogen Fixation Biological process performed by legumes

(alfalfa and soybeans) which converts Nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere into amino acids and proteins Symbiotic relationship between plant roots

and bacteria

Phosphorus Apatite

Basic source of Phosphate fertilizer Treated with heat and acids in fertilizer

production making it soluble in the soil solution

Phosphorus Superphosphate (P2O5)

Rock phosphate treated with sulfuric acid 16 to 30 percent phosphoric acid (P2O5)

Phosphorus Liquid Phosphoric acid (H3PO4)

Apatite treated with sulfuric acid 40 to 50 percent (P2O5)

Phosphorus Triple Superphosphate

Apatite reacted with phosphoric acid 44 percent (P2O5)

Potassium Early forms

Animal manure Plant and animal residue Ground bones Wood ashes

Potassium Potassium Chloride (KCl) Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4)

Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)

Questions