Labeling of fertilizer

The labeling of fertilizers varies by country in terms of analysis methodology, nutrient labeling, and minimum nutrient requirements.[1][2] The most common labeling convention shows the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the fertilizer.

Labeling of macronutrient fertilizers

Macronutrient fertilizers are generally labeled with an NPK analysis, based on the relative content of the chemical elements nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) that are commonly used in fertilizers. However, numbers used in this labeling scheme do not directly represent the source composition or absolute nutrient content of the fertilizer. The N value is the percentage of elemental nitrogen by weight in the fertilizer. The value for P is the fraction by weight of P2O5 in a fertilizer with the same amount of phosphorus that gets all of its phosphorus from P2O5. The value for K is analogous, based on a fertilizer with K2O.[3]

For example, the fertilizer sylvite is a naturally occurring mineral consisting mostly of potassium chloride (KCl). As such, it contains one potassium atom for every chlorine atom, and is 52% potassium and 48% chlorine by weight (because of the difference in atomic weights of the elements). K2O is similarly 83% potassium. Therefore, a fertilizer that gets all its potassium from KCI would have to be 63% K2O (.52/.83 is .63). Pure KCl fertilizer would thus be labeled 0-0-63; because sylvite is less than pure (it contains other compounds that contain no potassium), it is labeled 0-0-60.

Converting nutrient analysis to composition

The factors for converting from P2O5 and K2O values on a fertilizer label to the concentrations (by weight) of P and K elements are as follows:

Using these conversion factors, an 18−51−20 fertilizer contains by weight:

Other labeling conventions

In the U.K., fertilizer labeling regulations allow for reporting the elemental mass fractions of phosphorus and potassium. The regulations stipulate that this should be done in parentheses after the standard N-P-K values.[4] In Australia, macronutrient fertilizers are labeled with an "N-P-K-S" system, which uses elemental mass fractions rather than standard N-P-K values and includes the amount of sulfur (S) contained in the fertilizer. [5]

NPK values for commercial fertilizers

NPK values for various synthetic fertilizers[6]

NPK values for mined fertilizer minerals

NPK values for biosolids fertilizers and others

See also

References

  1. ↑ Chambers, Albert; Sally Rutherford (27 November 2007). "Voluntary Standards for the Fertilizer and Supplements Industry". Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  2. ↑ "Draft Code of Practice for Fertilier Description and Labeling" (PDF). Fertilizer Industry Federation Association (FIFA). 15 September 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  3. ↑ 22 October 2014
  4. ↑ UK Fertilizers Regulations 1990, Schedule 2 Part 1, Para. 7.
  5. ↑ "National Code of Practice for Fertilizer Description & Labelling" (PDF). Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  6. ↑ NPK (Fertilizer)
  7. 1 2 3 4 J. B. Sartain, University of Florida, "Food for turf: Slow-release nitrogen", Grounds Maintenance
  8. ↑ Bat and seal guano are lower in fertilizer value than bird guano. see Guano
  9. ↑ George Rehm; Michael Schmitt; John Lamb; Gyes Randall; Lowell Busman (2002). "Understanding Phosphorus Fertilizers". University of Minnesota Extension Service.
  10. 1 2 3 from "Average total N, ammonium N, phosphate and potash content of manure at the time of land application" in Animal Manure As a Plant Nutrient Resource, Bulletin ID-101 (Reviewed 02/05/01), Cooperative Extension Service, Purdue University. West Lafayette, IN 47907 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 2014-10-28.
  11. ↑ Organic Fish, Blood and Bone Feed - Harrod Horticultural (UK)
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