Correct Amount of Fertilizer To Be Applied

Correct Amount of Fertilizer to be Applied
In computing the right amount of fertilizers to be applied in a

given area, make use of the result of soil analysis and the
recommended rate of application of fertilizers. It requires the ability
to compute for the fertilizer need in a given crop per unit area. One
way of expressing fertilizer rate is by kilogram nitrogen (N)
phosphoric acid (P2O5) and kilogram soluble potassium (K2O) per
hectare. Another way is by bags of the fertilizer material per hectare.
For farmers it is advisable to use the latter but for extension men, the
former is used to facilitate communication.
The amount of fertilizer to be applied per hectare to supply a
certain amount of plant nutrient depends on the recommended rate
and composition of the fertilizer material to be used.
Fertilizer Computation Formula:
Formula # 1
Weight of fertilizer material= Recommended rate x 100
% nutrient of the fertilizer material
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Formula # 2
Number of fertilizer bags = Weight of nutrient
Weight of nutrient per bag
Sample Problems and Computations
The recommended rate is given in the form of NPK. Calculate
the number of kilograms of ammonium sulfate (21% N or 21–0–0) or
Urea (45-0-0), super phosphate (20% P2O5 or 0–20–0) and muriate of
potash (60% K2O or 0–0–60) to meet the 100–70–40 fertilizer
recommendation.
Example # 1
The recommended rate for Nitrogen is 100–0–0/ha. Convert the
weight of fertilizer using the formula:
Weight of fertilizer material= Recommended rate
x 100
Step1. Determine the kind of fertilizer to use to meet the N
recommended rate. The recommendations could be supplied
with ammonium sulfate (21 – 0 - ) or urea (46 – 0 – 0). If you
use urea:
= 100 kg
x 100
46
= 100 kg
.46
= 217.39 kg
Step 2. Convert the computed weight of fertilizer material into
number of bags by dividing it with 50 kg which is the
commercial weight per bag of the fertilizer material.
= 217.39 kg
50 kg/bag
= 4.35 or 4.4 bags
Therefore, approximately 4.4 bags of urea per hectare are
109
needed to supply the fertilizer recommended rate of 100-0-0.
Example # 2
Step 1. Determine the amount of fertilizer to use to meet the
recommended rate for phosphorous 0-70-0. The
recommendations could be supplied with super phosphate (0 –
20 -0 ):
70 kg
20
= x 100
70 kg
.20
= or 3.5 x 100
= 350 kg
= 350 kg
50 kg/bag
= 7 bags
Therefore, a total of 7 bags per hectare are needed to
supply the fertilizer recommended rate of 0-70-0.
Example # 3
Step 1. Determine the amount of fertilizer to use to meet the
recommended rate for potassium 0-0-40. The
recommendations could be supplied with muriate of potash (0-
0-60 ):
40 kg
= x 100
60
= 40 kg or 0.6666 x 100
.60
= 66.67 kg
= 66.67 kg
50 kg/bag
= 1.33bags
Therefore, approximately 1.33 bags per hectare are
110
needed to supply the fertilizer recommended rate of 0-0-60.
Example # 4
The fertilizer recommendation for a given area is 80–50-0 per
hectare. Compute the kind and amount of fertilizer needed to meet
the requirement.
Step 1. Determine the fertilizer to be used. The
recommendation could be supplied by:
ammonium phosphate (16–20-0) and urea (46–0–0) or
ammonium sulfate (21-0–0) or urea (46–0–0) and
ordinary phosphate (0–16–0) or superphosphate (0–20–
0).
Step 2. If you use two single element fertilizers follow the same
sequence as example 1. If ammonium phosphate is to be used
(16–20-0) or superphosphate (0-20-0)
Step 3. Determine the weight of the fertilizer with the formula:
Weight of fertilizer material= Recommended rate x
100
= 50 kg x 100
20
= 30 kg
.20
= 250 kg
Step 4. Change into number of bags by dividing with 50
kg/bag.
= 250 kg
50 kg/ha
= 5 bags
Step 5. Find the nutrient weight of nitrogen. Since 16–20–0 has
16% nitrogen and 20% phosphorus 250 kilograms 16–20–0
contains 25 kg N and 30 kg phosphorus.
111
Therefore, 250 kg of
16–20–0 will supply 40–50–0
nutrient weight.
Step 6. Subtract the nutrient weight in step 5 from the
recommendation rate.
80 – 50 – 0
- 40 – 50 – 0
40 – 0 – 0
Step 7. Suppose urea is available, compute for the remaining
nutrient.
= 40 kg x 100
46
= 36 kg
.46
= 86.96 kg
Step 8. Change the number of kilograms into bags per hectare.
= 86.96 kg
50 kg/bag
= 1.74 bags
Finally, 5 bags of ammonium phosphate and 1.74 bags
of urea are needed to satisfy the recommendation.
Example # 5.
Suppose the fertilizer recommendation is 100–60–60 per
hectare. In this case, you may use complete fertilizer 14–14–14 and
urea (46–0–0) to come up with the recommendation.
Step 1. Compute for the smaller content first which is 60 to
determine the amount of complete fertilizer needed to supply
the requirement .
Weight of fertilizer material= Recommended rate
x 100
= 60 kg x 100
14
= 60 kg
0.14
= 428.6 kg
112
Step 2. Convert the weight of fertilizer material into number of
bags by dividing the weight of fertilizer material per
hectare by 50 kg.
= 428.6 kg
50 kg/ha
= 8.6 bags
Step 3. Since 14–14–14 contains 14% NPK equivalent to 60 kg
determine the remaining or lacking amount of nitrogen
by subtracting the computed weight from the
recommended rate.
100 - 60 - 60
- 60 - 60 - 60
40 - 00 – 00
Step 4. Compute for the lacking amount of nitrogen using
urea
(46-0-0)
= 40 kg x 100
46
= 86.96 kg
Step 5. Convert the number of kilograms into bags/ha.
= 86.96.2 kg
50 kg/bag
= 1.74 bags
So you need 8.6 bags of 14–14–14 and 1.7 bags of urea
to supply the fertilizer recommendation per hectare.
The Macro and Micro Elements of the Soil and their Functions
According to the CBLM Year 3 there are 10 essential plant
foods needed for the development of any crop. However, only three
are usually taken from the soil, air and water in sufficient amount.
These are the macro elements: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P 2O5) and
potassium (K2O) or NPK. The micro elements are sulfur, zinc,
molybdenum, copper, boron, manganese, and magnesium. The
functions of the macro elements, signs and symptoms of deficiency,
and sources are identified below:
Nitrogen (N)
Functions:
Stimulates growth of the leaves and stems
It gives dark green color to plant
Deficiency symptoms:
Pale yellow in color
Lower leaves will die early
Short and stunted plant
Excess of nitrogen causes the plant to lodge before
booting which will cause decrease in the yield of rice. If you
observe the plants to be dark green it is already prone to
lodging. Do not apply nitrogenous fertilizer anymore.
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Sources of Nitrogen
1. Ammonium sulfate (21 – 0 – 0)
2. Ammonium phosphate (16 – 20 – 0)
3. Urea (46 – 0 – 0)
4. Organic fertilizer
5. Liquid fertilizer
Phosphorous (P)
Functions:
1. Encourages root growth
2. Hastens maturity of the plant
3. Helps in the production of seeds
Not enough tillers per hill
Sources:
1. Superphosphate (0-20-0)
2. Ammonium phosphate(16-20-0)
3. Triphosphate(0-45-0)
4. Complete fertilizer (14-14-14)
5. Liquid fertilizer
6. Organic fertilizer
Potassium (K)
Functions:
1. Increases the vigor of the plant.
2. Plant becomes more resistant to disease.
3. Stalks become stronger.
4. Grains become bigger and plump.
Plant growth, root development, and seed development
are usually reduced.
Sources:
1.Muriate of potash (0-0-60)
2.Complete fertilizer (14 – 14 – 14)

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