fertilisers and manures
fertiliser
is an inorganic,manufactured material that may contain one or more of the essential elements required for crop growth
manure
an organic material consists of the waste of plants and animals
simple/straight fertilisers
contain only one of the essential elements
commmon compound fertiliers
compound fertilisers
contain two or more nutrient elements.often produced by combining two or more straight fertilisers
calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN)
most common straight fertiliser in ireland/ Contains ammonium ions and nitrate ions / Ammonium ion are acidic lower ph. / (CAN) IS FAST ACTING (absorbs moisture) must be keeped air tight conditions.
UREA
Higher concentration of nitrogen than (CAN) less needed./ Urea turns to ammonium form then to nitrate before plant uptake./ MUST be stored in air tight conditions. undergoes volatilisation were ammonia turns to ammonia as go into atmsphere./ Toxicity to emerging seedlings. Apply before rain
ground rock phosphate
benefits of nitrogen
growth of leaf and stem/ provides photosynthesis or chlorophyll / protein/ cell division/increase yeild.
negative effects
reduces quality of potatoes / inhabits clover / affects silage preservation / water pollution / more prone to frost &burning
used in forestry / low ph level-acidic soils/slow -release of phosphorus/coniferous trees
compound fertilisers
Compound fertilizers usually contain at least two of the minerals nutrients (N) ,(P) and (K) / they are labelled with 3 numbers to represent the % of (N), (P) and (k) in the fertilizer
Fertilizer application applied in three ways
Placed in soil: fertilizer spread on land when seed is sown. Seed drill sows seed and applies fertilizer in a close ban / Broadcast: fertilizer spread on feild by fertilizer spinner and harrowed into soil / Top- dressing fertilizers
Is spread onto the established crop.
farm yard manure
animal waste/ rots decompose it release nutrients / contributes to soil structure & organic matter
slurry
liquid manure/ slurry tank / contains less organic matter then (FYM) / fast reacting / spread diseases ,pests and docs leaves