History about Fertilizers-
History: Early in the 17th century, the researchers searched for the other modes of fertilization, which was chemical in nature. Justus von Liebig, an organic chemist discovered that plants require nutrients for survival and growth. Later on, Sir John Lawes discovered superphosphate, which was the first inorganic fertilizer. Types of inorganic fertilizers: Inorganic fertilizers are categorized into as straight and complex fertilizer. Only single plant nutrient, is present in straight fertilizer while more than one primary or major nutrient element, is present in complex fertilizer.
Nitrogenous Fertilizers: Nitrogen is the initial fertilizer element of the macronutrients, generally applied in commercial fertilizers. These fertilizers enhancethe nitrogen levels in the soil. The nitrogenous fertilizers are categorized into four groups; nitrate, ammonia, and ammonium salts, chemical compounds containingnitrogen in the amide form and plant and animal by-products. Nitrogen encourages growth of stems and leaves by promoting protein and chlorophyll and by adding nitrogenous fertilizers produces greener, lush and fast-growing plants.
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Nitrate Fertilizers: Plants use nitrogen in nitrate form to a lesser degree. The plants readily absorb the nitrate ions as they are alkaline. Calcium nitrate and sodium nitrate are the various nitrate fertilizers, which are highly reactive.
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Ammonium Fertilizers: Ammonium ions are dissolved in the soil, which is absorbed by the plant roots. These fertilizers are soluble in water and, as such, absorbed by the soil colloids and thus protecting from being washed away. Ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate, ammonium solution, ammonium phosphate are the various ammonium fertilizers which are highly acidic. Phosphatic fertilizers: Phosphorus is the second fertilizer element and is essential for photosynthesis in plants, for energy transformations and for the activity of some hormones in plants. The phosphatic fertilizers are further classified based on the nutrient phosphorus present in phosphate fertilizers and their solubility.
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Water-soluble Phosphatic Fertilizers: These fertilizers include phosphorus, which is available in neutral soils, and the young plants can easily absorb it.
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Citric Acid Soluble Phosphatic Fertilizers: The citric soluble fertilizer is excellent for acidic soils.
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Water and Citrate Insoluble Phosphatic Fertilizers: These mineral fertilizers include phosphorus, which is insoluble in water as well as in citric acid. They are suitable in strongly acidic soils or organic soils.
Potassic Fertilizers: Potassium is the third fertilizer element. These fertilizers are salts of potassium generally chlorides and sulphates, which are soluble, therefore readily available to the plants. These potassic fertilizer is a protein builder, root boosters, water stretcher and as a disease retarder.
Complex Fertilizers: These fertilizers are made by using the basic fertilizer materials. The fertilizer has the benefit of having each nutrient in each individual granule.
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