CHAPTER 5

SOIL CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT -1

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
1. Discuss fertilizer and compute for the recommended fertilizer needed;
2. Discuss how each method of evaluation is done;
3. Discuss the methods on how the:
a. fertility of the soil can be maintained;
b. the kinds and amount of fertilizer to be used;
c. the methods of applying fertilizers;
4. Practice soil test analysis and simple soil survey

Teaching Learning Activities (TLA)

1. Lecture with discussion, power point presentation and guide questions;
2. Assignments;
3. Laboratory Exercise

Resources
1. Power point presentation in:
2. Handouts
3. References
4. LCD, laptop and speaker

Outcome-based Assessment (OBA)

1. Self-Assessment test
2. Laboratory report
3. Reflection paper
4. Rubric
5. Reflection/ Research paper

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 Topic 13: INTEGRATED SOIL AND FERTILITY
MANAGEMENT: Fertilizer and Management
Introduction

Just as humans need essential minerals and nutrients for strong, healthy growth, so do the
world's crops. Fertilizer production is intimately connected with agricultural productivity and
food production. The role of fertilizers in food production is usually underestimated. Fertilizers
are food for plants.

Fertilizers replace the nutrients that crops remove from the soil. Without the addition of
fertilizers, crop yields and agricultural productivity would be significantly reduced. That’s why
mineral fertilizers are used to supplement the soil’s nutrient stocks with minerals that can be
quickly absorbed and used by crops.

Thus, in order to meet human nutritional needs in the crops and meat we eat, we need to replace
what we take out. The key is to get this balance right and to maintain a level of nutrients in
soils that will support our crops without applying excess.

Each crop draws down from these reserves and we need to replace them with fertilizers, every
year and after every crop. Put simply – we use fertilizer to: (a) provide nutrients not available
in the soil; (b) replace nutrients removed at harvest and (c) balance nutrients for better produce
quality and higher yield.

• Fertilizers
o any substance that is applied to the soil or to the planting solid, liquid, or gaseous
for to supply one or more of the essential nutrients required for the nutrition and
growth of plants.
o classified broadly into two: organic and inorganic/chemical fertilizers.

• Rationale for Fertilization

o The amount of available nutrients in the soil is not enough to meet crop
management for high yield.
o The nutrient in the soil is not present in readily available form.
o Nutrient depletion or loss is continuous.
o There is an increase in crop production and farm income.

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• Advantages of Fertilizers

The advantages of fertilizers are mentioned below:

1. They are easy to transport, store, and apply.
2. For supplying a specific nutrient, we can select a specific fertilizer due to its
nutrient specific nature.
3. They are water-soluble and can easily dissolve in the soil. Hence, they are easily
absorbed by the plants.
4. They have a rapid effect on the crops.
5. They increase the crop yield and provide enough food to feed the large
population.
6. They are predictable and reliable.

• Disadvantages of Fertilizers

Fertilizers have the following disadvantages:

1. They are expensive.
2. The ingredients in the fertilizers are toxic to the skin and respiratory
system.
3. Excessive use of fertilizers damages the plants and reduces soil fertility.
4. Leaching occurs and the fertilizers reach the rivers causing
eutrophication.
5. Long term use reduces the microbial activity and disturbs the pH of the
soil.

• Uses of Fertilizers

Fertilizers are used for various purposes. The uses of fertilizers are mentioned below:
1. They are used to providing additional nutrients to the plants.
2. They are added to improve the yield of the crops.
3. Nitrogen-rich fertilizers are used for the greening of lawns.
4. Organic fertilizers improve the texture and fertility of the soil.
5. Gardeners use fertilizers to address certain needs of the plants such as nutritional
needs.
6. Fertilizers are added to potted plants to replace the lost nutrients.

• Importance of Fertilizers

It is exceedingly difficult to meet the demands of the increasing population with such
fewer resources. Loss of soil fertility, pests, and lack of nutrients has resulted in a
decrease in agricultural production. This has increased the importance of fertilizers in
agriculture.

Fertilizers can be important to the plants in the following ways:

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 • Fertilizers increase plants’ tolerance towards pests. This has reduced their
reliance on insecticides and herbicides, thereby, producing healthier crops.
Consequently, diseases have reduced, providing aesthetic value to the crops.
• Fertilizers improve the water holding capacity of the plants and increase root
depth.
• The potassium content present in the fertilizers strengthens the straws and stalks
of the plants.
• The phosphorus present in the fertilizers helps in the faster development of roots
and formation of seeds in the plants.
• Nitrogen in the fertilizers enhances the growth of the plants which can be
characterized by the green color of the plants.

Since the chemical fertilizers adversely affect soil fertility, biofertilizers were brought
into use. These are substances that contain living or latent cells, and even micro-
organisms. They provide the soil with the necessary nutrients and microbes for the
growth of the plants. They help the soil to retain its fertility. They are environment-
friendly and destroy pathogenic components responsible for causing disease in plants.
Acetobacter and Rhizobium are two such widely used biofertilizers.

ORGANIC VS INORGANIC FERTILIZERS

• Organic Fertilizers

o Any fertilizers product of plant and/or animal origin e.g. animal manures, green
manures, compost that has undergone decomposition through biological,
chemical and or any other process as long as the original materials are no longer
recognizable, soil –like in texture and free from plant or animal pathogens

▪ Pure organic fertilizers: no chemical has been added to the finished

product to increase nutrient content.

▪ Fortified or enriched: has been enriched with microbial inoculants,

hormones or chemical additives to increase nutrient content.

▪ Examples of plant residues:

1. Rice straw is one of the most abundant crop residues in the
country and is usually used with animal manure in compost
making.
2. Corn stover can be composted but needs to be chopped further for
faster decomposition.
3. Ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) leaves with their high nitrogen
content can also be used as green manure.
4. Kakawate (Glyricidia sepium) leaves have more than 4% nitrogen
content can be applied to the soil directly as N fertilizers.
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• Inorganic Fertilizers
o Synthesized or are processed from mineral deposits.

o Any fertilizer product whose properties are determined primarily by its content
of mineral matter or synthetic chemical compounds.

o Contain one or more combination of the three elements, N, P, or K

▪ Single nutrient fertilizers: fertilizers containing two or three primary
nutrients; also known as: complex, compound and mixed fertilizers;
Example: Ammonium phosphate (16-20-0)
▪ Complete fertilizers: contains the 3 primary nutrients which are
historically known to be deficient in most soil.

• Conventional Units of Expressing Fertilizer Nutrients

o Stated in either pure form or oxide form.
o Nitrogen is expressed as pure element N.
o P and K are in oxides, P2O5 and K2O.
o The nutrient content in fertilizers is written in %N, %P2O5 and %K2O in that
order.

• Common Nitrogen fertilizers

o Urea (45-0-0): highest N content among the solid N-fertilizers (NH2)2CO;
Hygroscopic and 100% soluble.
o Anhydrous ammonia: with 82% N has the highest amount of N among all
fertilizers; contained in pressure tanks and is usually custom-applied by
injecting into the soil; Ammonia gas is basic, pungent and colorless.
o Ammonium sulfate (20-0-0): hygroscopic and nearly 100% soluble; contains
sulfur (~24%), recommended for S-deficient soil.

• Common P fertilizers
o Ordinary superphosphates (OSP): contains 20% P2O5; Pelleted as grayish
granules and has a fain acid odor; about 85% of the P is water soluble and it
contains traces of other nutrient elements.

o Triple superphosphates (TSP): monocalcium phosphates monohydrates.

• Common K fertilizers
o Muriate of potash or potassium chloride (KCl): highly soluble and contains
traces of other elements.

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• Fertilizers Computations and Recommendations

i. Fertilizer grade
o Weight percentage of the nutrients contained in fertilizers.
o Guaranteed minimum analysis of the plant nutrient in terms of % total
N, %available Phosphoric acid (%P2O5) and % soluble potash (%K2O).

ii. Fertilizer ratio

o Relative proportion of each of the primary nutrients: N, P2O5 and K2O
in a fertilizer material.
o Example: 14-14-14 = > 1:1:1

iii. General formula

Weight of fertilizers = weight of nutrient
nutrient content
o Sample Problem A

The fertilizer recommendation is 90-0-0. How many kg/ha Ammonium sulfate, As

(20-0-0) must be applied to meet the recommendation?

Solution:
Kg AS/ha = 90/0.20 = 450

If we are going to use urea (45-0-0) instead of AS,

Kg urea/ha = 90/0.20 = 200

How many bags AS or Urea are needed?

Bags AS/ha = 450 kg/50 kg/bag = 9

Bags urea/ha = 200 kg / 50 kg/bag = 4

o Sample Problem B

The fertilizer recommendation is 90-30 -0. The available fertilizers:

Ammonium sulfate (20-0-0)
Ammonium phosphate (16-20-0)

Solution:

Solving first P,

Kg AP/ha = 30/0.20 = 150

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 150 kg AP contains 30 kg P2O5 and 24 kg N
150 x 0.16 = 24 kg N

The remainder N will come from AS,

90-24 = 66 kg N

Kg AS/ha = 66/0.20 = 330

• METHODS OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION

o Broadcast: when the fertilizer is spread on evenly the soil surface; suitable for
rice crop since they are closely planted.
o Band placement: may be applied on the row below the seed level or slightly on
the side of the seeds along the row; usually done for crops like corn, sorghum,
tobacco, and fruit trees.
o Foliar application: made when action of the nutrient desired or when certain
micronutrients are needed to be supplied with the crop; usually employed in
very plantations such as pineapple or banana.
o In-the-row: fertilizer is applied around along the bottom of furrow.
o Ring: fertilizer is applied around the base of the plant or tree.
o Hole: fertilizer is dropped in holes around the tree.
o Spot: fertilizer is dropped in small amount on the side of each hill or plant.
o Basal: first fertilizer applied at planting time.
o Topdress: applications sometime after plants have emerged.
o Fertigation: applications of fertilizer dissolved in irrigation water.

Figure 1 Methods of Fertilizer Application

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 Figure 2 Broadcast Method of Fertilizer Application

Figure 3 Band Placement Method of Fertilizer Application

Figure 4 Foliar Application Method of Fertilizer Application

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Figure 5 In-the-Row Application Method of Fertilizer Application

Figure 6 Ring Method of Fertilizer Application

Figure 7 Spot Method of Fertilizer Application

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 Figure 8 Basal Method of Fertilizer Application

Figure 9 Topdress Method of Fertilizer Application

Figure 10 Fertigation Method of Fertilizer Application

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• Considerations in Choosing Method of Fertilizer Application

o Relative mobility of nutrients in the soil

o Type of crop and its rooting pattern
o Soil texture
o Season of the year
o Kind of fertilizer

• FACTORS DETERMINING FERTILIZER NEEDS

1. Kind of crop - the economic value, the nutrient removal, and the absorbing
ability of the crop should be considered.
a. A high nutrient removal need high fertilizer application.
b. The amount of nutrients removed is also affected by the crop’s specific
nutrient need.

Light feeders Heavy feeders

• Mustard greens • Cucumbers
• Bush beans • Peppers
• Peas • Broccoli
• Turnips • Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Squash
• Tomatoes
• Eggplant

Weight of nutrient
Vegetable removed (kg/ha)
N P K
sitao 120 35 150
soybeans 160 60 115
peas (pods) 125 30 75
broccoli 220 100 230
cabbage 250 90 320
cauliflower 200 80 250
lettuce 60 220 120
onion 90 40 120
cucumber 50 40 80
tomato 110 30 150
radish 100 50 300

2. Chemical condition of the soil

• This factor is evaluated in relation to the total and available nutrients in
the soil.
o Soil pH

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 o Cation Exchange Capacity
o Soil Texture

Effects of Soil pH

On availability of nutrients:
Nutrients Condition as affected by soil pH
N decreases at pH <5.5
P decreases at pH <6.0 and >7.0
K decreases at pH <6.0
S decreases at pH <5.5
Ca and Mg decreases at pH <6.0
Mo decreases at pH< 6.5
B decreases at pH <5.0 and pH >7.0
Fe, Mn, Zn decreases at pH >5.0
at pH < 5.0 their concentrations are usually toxic)

Effects of Cation Exchange Capacity

• Soils with high CEC require a lower frequency of fertilizer application,

and as a result, higher fertilizer rates are applied with each application.

• In soils with a low CEC splitting the fertilizer application into multiple
applications is necessary to avoid loss of nutrients.

Effects of Soil Texture

• Soil texture is strongly related with CEC:

o Sandy soils usually have a low CEC
o Clayey soils have a higher CEC.

3. Time of Application
• Proper timing of the fertilizer application increases yields, reduces
nutrient losses, increases nutrient use efficiency and prevents damage to
the environment.

• Fertilizers from organic sources are applied much earlier: so that they
will decompose partially, and the nutrients will become available to the
plants. Fertilizers are applied not only at planting but also during the
growing season (side-dressing or topdressing). The frequency and
amount of application depend on the crop, soil, and climate.

o Soil type
▪ It dictates the frequency of fertilizer application.

▪ Sandy soils require more frequent applications of

fertilizers. Usually, a balanced fertilizer is applied every
3 to 4 weeks throughout the growing season.

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 ▪ Clay-type soils require less frequent applications of
fertilizers. One application every four to six weeks after
planting is typically enough.

o Type of crop
▪ Influences timing and frequency of application.

▪ Some crops are heavier feeders of particular nutrients.

• Root crops require less nitrogen fertilization
than leafy crops.
• A general rule of thumb:
o nitrogen is for leafy top growth;
o phosphorus is for root and fruit
production;
o potassium is for cold hardiness, disease
resistance, and general durability.

Figure 11 Vegetable crops differs in the Nutrient Uptake Pattern. NTP shows the rate of
nutrient absorption of the crop on a particular nutrient at a particular stage of growth.

o Proper use of nutrients

▪ It can control plant growth rate and characteristic.
• If tomatoes are fertilized too heavily with a
nitrogen fertilizer or side-dressed before fruit
set, it may be all vine and no fruit.

• On potatoes, it will show excess vining and poor

tuber formation.

▪ If slow-release fertilizers or heavy amounts of manure

are used on crops that form fruit or vegetables, leaf and
vine growth will continue into late summer, and fruit and
vegetable development will occur very late in the season.

o Climate
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 ▪ Rainfall affects the availability of the nutrients to the
plant; between the time it is applied and the time the
nutrients are used by the plant.

▪ Temperature also affects the release of nitrogen,

phosphorus, and sulfur from organic matter. Likewise, it
affects nitrification and absorption of phosphorus and
potassium by plants.

▪ Generally, fertilizers are applied at planting or before

planting (basal application).

▪ Fertilizers from organic sources are applied much earlier:

so that they will decompose partially, and the nutrients
will become available to the plants.

▪ Fertilizers are applied not only at planting but also during

the growing season (side-dressing or topdressing).

• Time of fertilizer application

o Depends on climate, soil, nutrient and crop.

o In sandy soil, N is necessarily split as well as K.

o For heavy clays, all of N is sometimes placed at planting.

o P and K are usually applied at planting as they are less mobile, less subject to
leaching and less soluble.

o P is also needed at young age to accelerate root development.

o In alkaline soils, ammonium fertilizer is necessary deep placed to minimized

volatilization of ammonia.

• HANDLING AND STORING OF FERTILIZERS

1. Follow label directions.

2. Lock or otherwise secure storage container valves when not in use
3. Storage buildings should have impermeable floors (impermeable secondary
containment dikes can be used)
4. DO NOT store fertilizer underground in containers or pits.
5. Mix and load fertilizers at the application place when possible.
6. Handle and store fertilizer away from wellheads and surface water
7. Immediately recover and reuse or properly dispose of fertilizer spills.
8. Always store fertilizers in their original containers

pg. 134
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MANAGE FERTILIZER USE?

A. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Nitrogen and phosphorous occur naturally in streams in some bodies of water and are
important nutrients to aquatic ecosystems. However, too much of these nutrients can
cause serious problems in lakes and streams. Often in agricultural areas, excess nitrogen
enters the system from animal operations or from irrigation return flow. These added
nutrients may lead to fish kills, noxious aquatic plant growth, and foul odors.

B. HUMAN HEALTH
Nitrogen fertilizer (organic and inorganic) can contribute to nitrates in drinking water.
Pregnant or nursing women and infants are especially vulnerable to nitrate related
potentially serious health problems.

Nitrate Level, ppm (parts

Interpretation
per million)
Safe for humans and livestock. However, concentrations of
0 to 10 more than 4 ppm are an indicator of possible pollution
sources and could cause environmental problems.
Generally safe for human adults and livestock. Not safe for
11 to 20 infants because their digestive systems cannot absorb and
excrete nitrate.
Should not be used as a drinking water source but short-term
21 to 40 use is acceptable for adults and all livestock unless food or
feed sources are very high in nitrates.
Risky for adults and young livestock. Probably acceptable for
41 to 100
mature livestock if feed is low in nitrates.
Over 100 Should not be used as drinking water for humans or livestock.

• HOW TO APPLY UREA FERTILIZER?

1. Urea fertilizer is a stable, organic fertilizer that can improve the quality of your soil,
provide nitrogen to your plants, and increase the yield of your crops. You can usually
get it in dry, granular form.

2. There are several benefits to using urea as a fertilizer, but urea is not without its
disadvantages. Knowing how to properly apply urea fertilizer to your soil and how urea
interacts with other fertilizers can help you avoid these disadvantages and get as much
benefit out of your fertilizer as possible.

Method 1: APPLYING UREA ON ITS OWN

1. Minimize ammonia loss by applying urea on a cool

day. Urea is best applied on a cool day, in weather
between 32° to 60° F (0°-15.6° C), and with little to
no wind. At colder temperatures, the ground is frozen,
making it difficult to incorporate the urea into the soil.
At higher temperatures, and in windy conditions, the

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 urea is broken down faster than it can soak into the
soil
2. Use a urea fertilizer with a urease inhibitor before
planting. Urease is the enzyme that begins the
chemical reaction that turns urea into the nitrates
plants need. Applying urea fertilizers before planting
leads to high amounts of the urea being lost before it
can benefit your plants. Using a fertilizer with a
urease inhibitor can slow the chemical reaction and
helps retain urea in the soil.

3. Spread the urea evenly across the soil. Urea is

packaged and sold as small, solid pellets or granules.
Broadcast the urea with a fertilizer spreader or
sprinkle the pellets by hand evenly across your soil.
For most plants, you will want to keep the urea close
to the plant's roots, or close to where you will plant
the seeds
4. Wet the soil. Before urea is turned into the nitrates
your plants need, it first becomes ammonia gas.
Because gases can easily escape from the surface of
the soil, applying fertilizer when the ground is wet
will help to incorporate the urea into the soil before
the chemical reaction begins. This way, more of the
ammonia is trapped within the soil.
• The top half inch (1.3cm) of soil should be wet to
keep as much ammonia gas in the soil as possible.
You can water the soil yourself, apply the urea before
it rains, or apply within 48 hours after the snow on
your fields has completely melted.

5. Till the soil to incorporate the urea. Tilling your

fields or garden is a great way to incorporate the
urea fertilizer into the soil before any of the
ammonia gas can be lost. Harrow, drag, or hoe the
field in order to incorporate the urea into the top
layer of the soil.

6. Control the amount of nitrogen you give to potato

plants. Certain varieties of potatoes can handle high
levels of nitrogen, while others cannot. Be cautious
and treat all potatoes the same way. Avoid giving
potato plants large quantities of nitrogen with your
urea fertilizer.
• Urea fertilizers can be applied directly onto potato
plants, or in a solution with other fertilizers, as
long as the solution is made up of 30% nitrogen or
less.

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 • Solutions of urea fertilizer that are more than 30%
nitrogen should only be applied to fields before
potatoes are planted

7. Fertilize grains with urea on a mild day. Urea can

be applied directly onto most cereal grains, but never
in temperatures above 60° F (15.6° C). When
applied in warmer temperatures, the plants will give
off an odor of ammonia

8. Apply urea to corn seeds indirectly. Only apply

urea to corn indirectly, by spreading the urea onto
soil at least 2 inches (5 cm) away from the corn
seeds. Direct exposure to urea is toxic to the seeds,
and greatly reduces the corn plant's yield.

Method 2: MIXING UREA WITH OTHER

FERTILIZERS

1. Determine your ideal fertilizer ratio. Fertilizer

ratios, also called N-P-K numbers, are a series of 3
numbers that tell you how much of a fertilizer
mixture, by weight, is made up of fertilizers rich in
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. If you have a
sample of your soil studied, you will be provided with
an ideal fertilizer ratio that will help make up for your
soil's nutrient deficiencies.
• Most hobbyist gardeners can find premixed
fertilizers that will suit their needs at a plant nursery
or garden supply center.

2. Combine urea with additional fertilizers to create

a stable fertilizer mixture. Urea provides plants
with nitrogen, but other elements, like phosphorus
and potassium, are important for plant health as well.
Fertilizers that you can safely mix and store with
urea include:
• Calcium cyanamide
• Sulphate of potash
• Sulphate of potash magnesium

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3. Mix urea with certain fertilizers to fertilize plants
immediately. There are certain fertilizers that can be
mixed with urea, but lose their effectiveness after 2-
3 days because of the reactions that occur between
the fertilizer's chemicals. These include:
• Chilean nitrate
• Sulphate of ammonia
• Nitrogen magneseia
• Diamonnium phosphate
• Basic slag
• Rock phosphate
• Muriate of potash
4. Prevent unwanted chemical reactions from
harming your crops. Some fertilizers will react with
urea to either create a volatile chemical reaction, or to
render the fertilizer mixture completely useless.
Never combine urea with the following fertilizers:
• Calcium nitrate
• Calcium ammonium nitrate
• Limestone ammonium nitrate
• Ammonium sulphate nitrate
• Nitropotash
• Potash ammonium nitrate
• Superphosphate
• Triple superphosphate
5. Blend urea with phosphorus and potassium-rich
fertilizers for a well-balanced fertilizer.
Referencing the list of fertilizers that are and are not
effective to mix with urea, choose sources of
phosphorus and potassium to add to your fertilizer
mix. Many of these are available at nurseries and
garden supply stores.
• Add each of your chosen fertilizers together,
according to the weights given by your fertilizer
ratio. Mix them together thoroughly. This can be
done in a large bucket, in a wheelbarrow, or with
mechanical mixers.
6. Spread your urea-based fertilizer evenly across
your crops. Apply your fertilizer mixture as you
would apply urea on its own, spreading it evenly
across the soil. Then water and till the soil in order to
incorporate the fertilizer.
• Urea is less dense than other fertilizers. If you are
using spinning-type equipment to spread your
urea-based fertilizer over large distances on your
farm, keep your spread width below 50 feet (15.2
m) to spread the fertilizer mixture equally.
Sources: https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Urea-Fertilizer

pg. 138
• Fertilizers, artificial (inorganic) or natural (organic), are the components that increase
plant productivity and development.

• Fertilizers help the soil increase its fertility thereby promoting growth. The use of
manures as compost is presumably as old as agriculture itself. With the help of
fertilizers, plants become resilient against harmful plant pathogens, pests, and weeds.
Elimination of diseases in plants increases the value in the harvest.

• Fertilizers are chemical substances supplied to the crops to increase their productivity.
These are used by the farmers daily to increase the crop yield. The fertilizers contain
the essential nutrients required by the plants, including nitrogen, potassium, and
phosphorus. They enhance the water retention capacity of the soil and also increase its
fertility.

• The main components of fertilizers include- nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Its
rating describes the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in a fertilizer.

• The excess nutrients from the fertilizers run off into water bodies and cause algal
blooms. These algal blooms sometimes restrict the passage of waterways. When the
algae die, they sink to the bottom of the water bodies and reduce the oxygen content in
water. Also, excess use of fertilizers reduces the fertility of the soil.

• The three numbers on fertilizers represent the primary nutrients. A bag of fertilizers
labelled 10-10-10 contains 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 10% potassium. This
label is a national standard and is known as the fertilizer grade.

• Growers have many fertilizers from which to choose. Obviously, the fertilizer should
fit the needs of the crop and the method of use, and pH and salinity effects should be
considered. Cost is often the most important factor.

pg. 139
Self-Assessment Test I: Fertilizer Calculation

Direction: Solve the following problems in Fertilizer Calculation.

Problem Scenario: The fertilizer recommendation for a rice crop was 120-60-30. Which
combination of fertilizer is the cheapest to use in satisfying the recommendation?
a) CF + AP + AS
b) CF + AP + urea
c) Urea + AP + MP
d) Urea + OSP + MP

Assumptions
Fertilizer Grade
Cost (Php/50 kg bag)
Complete fertilizer (CF) 14-14-14 950.00
Ammonium phosphate (AP) 16-20-0 750.00
Ammonium sulfate (AS) 21-0-0 850.00
Urea (U) 46-0-0 1,050.00
Ordinary Superphosphate (OSP) 0-20-0 650.00
Muriate of potash (MP) 0-0-60 750.00

Complete the table below. Show your solutions.

Fertilizer
Bags of fertilizer Cost per fertilizer Total Cost (P)
combination
A. CF + AP + AS CF: ___________ CF: ₱ ___________
AP: ___________ AP: ₱ ___________ ____________
AS: ___________ AS: ₱ ___________
B. CF + AP + Urea CF: ___________ CF: ₱ ___________
AP: ___________ AP: ₱ ___________ ____________
U: ___________ U: ₱ ___________
C. Urea + AP + MP U: ___________ U: ₱ ___________
AP: ___________ AP: ₱ ___________ ____________
MP: ___________ MP: ₱ ___________
D. Urea + OSP + MP U: ___________ U: ₱ ___________
OSP: ____________ OSP: ₱ ___________ ____________
MP: ___________ MP: ₱ ____________

pg. 140
Self-Assessment Test I: Fertilizer Calculation Solutions

pg. 141
Self-Assessment Test I: Fertilizer Calculation Solutions

pg. 142
Self-Assessment Test II: Fertilizer and Fertilizer Management

Direction: Identify the word(s) from column B that correctly correspond to the statement or
definition in column A. Write your answer on the space provided in each number. 1 point

Column A Column B
1. _______ Any fertilizer product whose properties are
determine primarily by its content of mineral A. Muriate of Potash
matter or synthetic chemical compounds.
2. _______ This has been enriched with microbial inoculants,
hormones or chemical additives to increase B. Multi-nutrient Fertilizers
nutrient content.
3. _______ Fertilizer is dropped in holes around the tree. C. Top dress Method
4. _______ Relative proportion of each of the primary
D. Pure Organic Fertilizer
nutrients N, P2O5 and K2O in a fertilizer material.
5. _______ Common potassium (K) fertilizer. E. Fertilizer Grade
6. _______ It has the highest N content among the solid N-
F. Inorganic Fertilizer
fertilizers.
7. _______ Fertilizers containing two or three primary
G. Band Placement
nutrients like ammonium phosphate.
8. _______ Fertilizer with no chemical added to the finished
H. Fertilizer Ratio
product to increase the nutrient content.
9. _______ Fertilizer is spread evenly on the soil surface. I. 120kg (N) -35kg (P) -
150kg (K)
10. _______ Fertilizer is applied sometime after the plants have
J. Urea (NH2)2CO
emerged.
11. _______ Nitrogen decreases at what pH level of soil? K. Fortified Organic Fertilizer
12. _______ Common phosphorus (P) fertilizer. L. Complete Fertilizers
13. _______ Leaves of this plant have more than 4% N content
and can be applied to the soil directly as N M. In-the-row Method
fertilizer.
14. _______ Weight of NPK (kg/ha) removed during harvest of
N. Hole Method
pole sitao.
15. _______ Fertilizer is dropped in small amount on the side of
O. Spot Method
each hill or plant.
16. _______ Application of fertilizer dissolved in irrigation
P. Ordinary superphosphate
water.
17. _______ It contains the three (3) primary nutrients which Q. Kakawate (Glyricidia
are historically known to be deficient in most soils. sepium)
18. _______ Weight percentage of nutrients contained in a
R. <5.5
fertilizer.
19. _______ Fertilizer is applied along the bottom of furrow. S. Fertigation
20. _______ Fertilizers are applied on the row below the seed
level or slightly on the side of the seeds along the T. Broadcast Method
row.

pg. 143
1. Additional readings on Fertilizer and Fertilizer Management: New Update Methods of
Fertilizer Application. You can access this at this link below:

https://meandfarm.blogspot.com/2019/01/new-update-methods-of-fertilizer.html

2. Additional readings on Fertilizer and Fertilizer Management: Fertilizer Materials.

Chapter 4 – Fertilizers pages 326-333. Reference: Plaster, E. J. 2014. Soil Science and
Management. Sixth Edition. Printed in United States of America. DELMAR CENGAGE
Learning. www.cengage.com

3. Additional readings on Fertilizer and Fertilizer Management: Nitrates and Water

Quality. You can access this at this link below:

https://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/whats-in-your-water/nitrate

pg. 144
Plaster, E. J. 2014. Soil Science and Management. Sixth Edition. Printed in United States
of America. DELMAR CENGAGE Learning. www.cengage.com

Coyne, M.S. and Thompson, J.A. 2006. Fundamental Soil Science. Thomson Delmar
Learning, USA. P. 304-317.

Brady, N.C. and Weil, R.R. 2008. Nature and Properties of Soils (14th Ed.). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall. P. 679-736.

Gardiner, D.T. and Miller, R.W. 2008. Soils in our Environment (11th Ed.). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall. P. 311-315.

Green Empire Reviewer for Licensure Examination in Agriculture Reviewer, 2015.

Lecture Manual and Review Questions. Soil Science.
www.facebook.com/GEKnowledgeBank.

Online References:

Fertilizer Management https://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/agriculturewq/fertilizer accessed on

January 2021
Fertilizers https://byjus.com/biology/fertilizers/ accessed on January 2021
New Update Methods of Fertilizer Application https://meandfarm.blogspot.com/2019/01/new-
update-methods-of-fertilizer.html accessed on January 2021
https://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/nutrient-management/nitrogen/fertilizer-urea/ accessed on
January 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdHCeZvkgY8 accessed on January 2021
https://ag.purdue.edu/agry/extension/Documents/Soil%20Fertility/Urea%20June%202017.pdf
accessed on January 2021
https://www.almanac.com/content/how-apply-fertilizers-your-garden accessed on January 2021
http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/wwwpb-archives/ag/baudr131.html accessed on January 2021
http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/wwwpb-archives/ag/baudr131.html accessed on January 2021
http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/af_fact_ufcp.pdf accessed on January 2021
https://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/nutrient-management/nitrogen/fertilizer-urea/ accessed on
January 2021
https://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/nutrient-management/nitrogen/fertilizer-urea/ accessed on
January 2021
http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/turf/extension/factsheets/fertilizer-ratio accessed on
January 2021
https://www.sunset.com/garden/garden-basics/crash-course-fertilizers accessed on January 2021
http://www.cropsreview.com/urea-fertilizer.html accessed on January 2021
http://www.walterreeves.com/gardening-q-and-a/fertilizer-mixing-your-own/ accessed on January 2021
https://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/nutrient-management/nitrogen/fertilizer-urea/ accessed on
January 2021
http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/turf/extension/factsheets/fertilizer-ratio accessed on
January 2021
http://www.smart-fertilizer.com/articles/urea-fertilizers accessed on January 2021
https://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/nutrient-management/nitrogen/fertilizer-urea/ accessed on
January 2021

pg. 145