fertilizers

fertilizer

substance added to soil to improve plants' growth and yield.

nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

Modern synthetic fertilizers are composed mainly of

____________ with secondary nutrients added.

nutrients

primary components in fertilizers are _____

nitrogen

Plants use _____ in the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and hormones.

phosphorus

component of nucleic acids, phospholipids, and several proteins

potassium

used in protein synthesis and other key plant

processes

nitrogen deficiency

older leaves start to turn yellow

phosphorus deficiency

older leaves turn yellow and start to fall off; small dead areas on leaves

potassium deficiency

older leaves turn yellow and small brown spots start forming; young leaves have yellowing on edges

iron deficiency

pale in color; leaves can be transparent

magnesium deficiency

leaves turn pale but the veins remain green

calcium magnesium sulfur

included in fertilizers in small amounts

iron, chlorine, copper, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, boron

Micronutrients which primarily function as cofactors in enzymatic reactions

zinc deficiency

leaves show signs of light discoloration. between large veins

calcium deficiency

misshapen leaves

how to fix K deficiency

bury citrus rinds in soil at base of plant; compost rich in fruit/veggie waste

how to fix zinc deficiency

spray w kelp extract

how to fix Ca deficiency

alkaline soil: add gypsum

acidic soil: add lime

how to fix Mg deficiency

add compost rich in Mg or add Epsom salt/lime to soil

how to fix iron deficiency

lower pH to under 7; reduce amt of phosphorus in soil

how to fix N deficiency

add organic compost like manure or CG

Francis Bacon and Johann Glauber

Early scientists such as Francis Bacon and Johann Glauber describe the beneficial effects of the addition of saltpeter to soil.

Johann Glauber

developed the first complete mineral fertilizer

mixture of saltpeter, lime, phosphoric acid, nitrogen, potash

composition of the first complete mineral fertilizer

Justus von Liebig

demonstrated that plants need mineral elements such as nitrogen and phosphorous in order to grow.

John Lawes

outlined a method for producing a form of phosphate that was an effective fertilizer.

primary fertilizer

include substances derived from nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Ammonia

When ______ is used as the nitrogen source in a fertilizer, one method of synthetic production requires the use of natural gas and air

Phosphate

made using sulfur, coal, and phosphate rock

potassium chloride

The potassium source comes from _______, a primary component of potash.

Secondary nutrients

added to some fertilizers to help make

them more effective.

dolomite

magnesium source in fertilizers is derived from ______.

calcium magnesium sulfur iron (ferrous sulfate) copper molybdenum (molybdenum oxide)

secondary nutrients

magnetite Fe3O4

catalyst used to improve the speed and efficiency of. ammonia synthesis

nitric acid

produced by first mixing ammonia and air in a tank.

ammonia and nitric acid

used to make ammonium nitrate

sulfuric acid, superphosphate

To isolate phosphorus from phosphate rock, it is treated with ______, producing _______, an excellent source of phosphorous in solid form.

ammonium phosphate

produced by the reaction of phosphoric acid with ammonia

sylvite, carnalite, potash

Potassium chloride is extracted from minerals ______

potassium chloride

by-product of the production of nitric acid from potassium nitrate and hydrochloric acid

ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride, ammonium phosphate, and triple superphosphate

different compounds in fertilizer that are granulated and blended together

pH, appearance, density, melting point

characteristics that are tested for quality control of fertilizer

composition analysis tests

used to determine total nitrogen content, phosphate content, and other elements affecting the chemical composition.

nitrates and nitrosamines

by products/waste of fertilizer