Fertilizer definition and types?

features 

They can be organic or inorganic compounds .

They can contain micronutrients such as molybdenum, cobalt, manganese, boron, zinc and iron; or macronutrients such as magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, potassium and nitrogen.

They contain phosphates and nitrates in their composition.

The vast majority have three elements combined : potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

They serve to fertilize the soil and nourish the plants.

They improve agricultural production.

Importance

They  are important for healthy plant growth , as they need a variety of nutrients such as oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, potassium, zinc, among other compounds and chemicals that often occur in insufficient quantities. in the soil or in the place of growth of the plant  so that the crops grow in a healthy way .

These nutrients are divided into  micronutrients  and  macronutrients .

Micronutrients:  These are the nutrients that are necessary for the healthy development of plants in small quantities, these are: Boron, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum and Zinc.

Macronutrients:  These are the nutrients that are necessary for the healthy development of plants in large quantities, these are: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium.

Applications

They can be applied directly to the soil by irrigation or sprinkling   on plant tissues (usually leaves) and their origin can be organic or inorganic.

To verify the type of fertilizer ideal for application in the soil where the plants will be grown, it is necessary to know the nutritional needs of the type of plant to be grown and perform chemical analyzes in the soil where the plants are to be sown, with in order to guarantee the efficiency in the use of the fertilizer.

The professionals trained to read the data and results of this soil analysis and indicate the best type of fertilizer for a given crop are agronomists, rangers, or technical level professionals relevant to these areas, who have specific training so that they do not waste and errors occur in the application, since errors in the definition of the best type of it can generate negative consequences on the cultivation of plants.

Classification

Inorganic fertilizers

They are commonly  derived from mineral origin , processed in chemical industries, so that they can be applied in agriculture. They are classified into: nitrogen fertilizers, phosphate fertilizers, potassium fertilizers, mixed fertilizers (which have more than one type of nutrient) and calcareous fertilizers (which are normally used for soil pH correction).

Organic fertilizers

They are  composed of animal or vegetable residues , which have a slower action than fertilizers of mineral origin because their decomposition is more complex. These  can come from animal manure (farms, pens, etc.), wine residues, filtration cakes from sugar and alcohol plants (vinasse), green manures and oil residues (oil industries).

Classification regarding acidity / alkalinity of the fertilizer

Fertilizers can influence soil pH, making it more or less acidic or alkaline.

• Acids:  Fertilizers with acidic characteristics may contain phosphate, nitrate or ammonium sulfate, urea, dried blood or anhydrous ammonia in their composition.
• Alkalines:  Fertilizers with alkaline or basic characteristics may contain in their composition sodium nitrate, dolomitic limestone, limestone, potassium nitrate, among others.
• Neutral:  Fertilizers that have no influence on soil pH are classified as neutral and may contain nitrocellulose, superphosphate and potassium chloride.
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