List of Content

 Introduction

 History

 Classification

 Statement of The Problem

 Hypothesis

 Significance of the Study

 Definition of Terms

 Materials

 Procedure

 Analysis of Fertilizers

 Production

 Treatment significance

 Organic fertilizers

 Regulation

 Conclusion

 References

1
Abstract

Plants need to be fertilized because most soil does not provide

essential nutrients required for optimum growth. Even if the person is

lucky enough to start with great garden soil, as your plants grow, they

absorb nutrients and leave the soil less fertile. Nutrients in the soil

also help plants grow strong. Some nutrients that plants need are

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

2
Introduction

A fertilizer (American English) or fertiliser (British English) is any

material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant
tissues to supply plant nutrients. Fertilizers may be distinct from
liming materials or other non-nutrient soil amendments. Many sources
of fertilizer exist, both natural and industrially produced.[1] For most
modern agricultural practices, fertilization focuses on three main
macro nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)
with occasional addition of supplements like rock flour for
micronutrients. Farmers apply these fertilizers in a variety of ways:
through dry or pelletized or liquid application processes, using large
agricultural equipment or hand-tool methods.

Fertilizers, also known as food elements, are materials produced to

supple these elements in a readily available form of plant use. It helps
to make plants grow faster which help some farmers and gardeners for
their business. Choosing the right fertilizer help us to get everything
we need from the plants we eat or from the meat of animals that eat
plants. Plants are factories that do all of the work to process the basic
elements of life and make them available to us.

Fertilizers help feed the world. The FARO has stated that “after land
and water, fertilizers are probably the most important input leading to
increased yields”. It is inherently difficult to estimate the share of
fertilizers in increasing agricultural output since so many factors are
involved. It has been estimated that fertilizer contribute about 40% of

3
the nitrogen in human protein consumption, it follows that nearly one
third of this protein depends on fertilizers. Therefore, it is important
for us to know which fertilizers to use for us to sustain properly the
needs of every plant.

Increased crop production largely relies on the type of fertilizers used

to supplement essential nutrients for plants. Fertilizer application is
required to replace crop land nutrients that have been consumed by
previous plant growth with the ultimate goal of maximizing
productivity and economic returns. Now a day, there is increased
emphasis on the impact on soil environment due to continuous use of
chemical fertilizers. The impact of chemical fertilizer application on
agricultural land is seen not only in terms of the soil quality but also
on the survival of soil organisms dwelling there in.

Chemical fertilizers provide three major plant nutrients; nitrogen,

phosphorus and potassium or NPK. However, the ever increasing cost

4
of commercial fertilizer products driven, in part, by the inevitable

depletion of global phosphorus, is forcing producers to look for

alternative sources like bio-fertilizers and other organically-based

solutions.

In literature, some researchers have concluded the chemical fertilizers

to be harmful for soil organisms but on the contradictory they have

been supported too to be beneficial as far as their food supply is

concern. The primary advantages of using biosolids as a fertilizer

alternative are cost efficiencies and the presence of nutrients and

organic matter. Returning these valuable materials back to the soils is

a critical element in long-term sustainability.

Fertilizer recommendations contain several important factors,

including fertilizer form, source, application timing, placement, and

irrigation management. Another important part of a fertilizer

recommendation is the amount of a particular nutrient to apply. The

optimum fertilizer amount is determined from extensive field

experimentation conducted for several years, at multiple locations,

with several varieties, etc. Although rate is important, rate should be

5
considered as a part of the overall fertilization management program.

The important components of a fertilizer recommendation are

discussed in Hochmuth and Hanlon (2010a) Principles of Sound

Fertilizer Recommendations for Vegetables, available online at

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss527. This EDIS publication focuses on the

research principles behind determining the optimum rate of fertilizer,

including experimentation and interpreting research results for

optimum crop production and quality in conjunction with minimal

environmental consequences. We use examples from research with

vegetable crops in Florida. How we interpret the results is as

important as how we conducted the research.

6
History

World population supported with and without synthetic nitrogen

fertilizers.

Founded in 1812, Mirat, producer of manures and fertilizers, is

claimed to be the oldest industrial business in Salamanca (Spain).

Management of soil fertility has preoccupied farmers for thousands of

years. Egyptians, Romans, Babylonians, and early Germans are all

recorded as using minerals or manure to enhance the productivity of

their farms. The science of plant nutrition started well before the work

of German chemist Justus von Liebig although his name is most

mentioned. Nicolas Théodore de Saussure and scientific colleagues at

the time were quick to disprove the simplifications of Justus von

Liebig. There was a complex scientific understanding of plant

nutrition, where the role of humus and organo-mineral interactions

were central, and which was in line with more recent discoveries from

1990 onwards.[citation needed] Prominent scientists on whom Justus

von Liebig drew were Carl Ludwig Sprenger and Hermann Hellriegel.

In this field, a 'knowledge erosion'[6] took place, partly driven by an

intermingling of economics and research. John Bennet Lawes, an

7
English entrepreneur, began to experiment on the effects of various

manures on plants growing in pots in 1837, and a year or two later the

experiments were extended to crops in the field. One immediate

consequence was that in 1842 he patented a manure formed by

treating phosphates with sulfuric acid, and thus was the first to create

the artificial manure industry. In the succeeding year he enlisted the

services of Joseph Henry Gilbert; together they performed crop

experiments at the Institute of Arable Crops Research.

The Birkeland–Eyde process was one of the competing industrial

processes in the beginning of nitrogen-based fertilizer production.[9]

This process was used to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into nitric

acid (HNO3), one of several chemical processes generally referred to

as nitrogen fixation. The resultant nitric acid was then used as a

source of nitrate (NO3−). A factory based on the process was built in

Rjukan and Notodden in Norway, combined with the building of large

hydroelectric power facilities.

The 1910s and 1920s witnessed the rise of the Haber process and the

Ostwald process. The Haber process produces ammonia (NH3) from

8
methane (CH4) (natural gas) gas and molecular nitrogen (N2) from

the air. The ammonia from the Haber process is then partially

converted into nitric acid (HNO3) in the Ostwald process. After

World War II, nitrogen production plants that had ramped up for

wartime bomb manufacturing were pivoted towards agriculture uses.

The use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers has increased steadily over the

last 50 years, rising almost 20-fold to the current rate of 100 million

tonnes of nitrogen per year.

The development of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer has significantly

supported global population growth. It has been estimated that almost

half the people on the Earth are currently fed as a result of synthetic

nitrogen fertilizer use. The use of phosphate fertilizers has also

increased from 9 million tonnes per year in 1960 to 40 million tonnes

per year in 2000. A maize crop yielding 6–9 tonnes of grain per

hectare (2.5 acres) requires 31–50 kilograms (68–110 lb) of phosphate

fertilizer to be applied; soybean crops require about half, 20–25 kg

per hectare.[15] Yara International is the world's largest producer of

nitrogen-based fertilizers.

9
Classification

Fertilizers are classified in several ways. They are classified according

to whether they provide a single nutrient (e.g., K, P, or N), in which

case they are classified as "straight fertilizers". "multinutrient

fertilizers" (or "complex fertilizers") provide two or more nutrients,

for example N and P. Fertilizers are also sometimes classified as

inorganic (the topic of most of this article) versus organic. Inorganic

fertilizers exclude carbon-containing materials except ureas. Organic

fertilizers are usually (recycled) plant- or animal-derived matter.

Inorganic are sometimes called synthetic fertilizers since various

chemical treatments are required for their manufacture.

Single nutrient ("straight") fertilizers

The main nitrogen-based straight fertilizer is ammonium (NH3)

ammonium (NH4+) or its solutions, including:

• Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is also widely used

• Urea (CO(NH2)2.) another popular source of nitrogen, having

the advantage that it is solid and non-explosive, unlike ammonia

and ammonium nitrate.

10
 • Calcium ammonium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2 · NH4 · 10 H2O),

reportedly holding few percent of the nitrogen fertilizer market

(4% in 2007).[21]

• The main straight phosphate fertilizers are the superphosphates:

• "Single superphosphate" (SSP) consisting of 14–18% P2O5,

again in the form of Ca(H2PO4)2, but also phosphogypsum

(CaSO4 · 2 H2O).

• Triple superphosphate (TSP) typically consists of 44–48% of

P2O5 and no gypsum.

A mixture of single superphosphate and triple superphosphate is

called double superphosphate. More than 90% of a typical

superphosphate fertilizer is water-soluble.

The main potassium-based straight fertilizer is muriate of potash

(MOP, 95–99% KCl). It's typically available as 0-0-60 or 0-0-62

fertilizer.

Statement of The Problem

This research aim to compare 2 different brand of fertilizer: Chemical
fertilizer and Citrus Sinensis Peeling (bio-fertilizers), specifically the
researchers sought to answer the following questions:
11
 • How do the researchers determine the effectively of these
product?
• What are advantages and disadvantages of using these
fertilizers?
• Which fertilizer will make plants grow faster and healthier?
• Which fertilizer is better and safer to use: Citrus Saneness
Peeling or branded fertilizer

Hypothesis

The researchers will determine the effectivity of the product by testing

the effectivity of 2 brand of fertilizer in separate plants (Plant A and
Plant B). After the testing, the researchers will record the result and
make a statement about the research.

Significance of the Study

The study is beneficial to:

1. Farmers and gardeners-

The benefit of this study will help them to improve the quality of their
products, save time with their work, and get a higher profit.

2. Environment-

The benefit of this study will help our environment by helping the soil
and plants to sustain their needs and provide the essential nutrients
required for optimum growth.

12
3. Agricultural company-

The benefit of this study will help them to give a good service to their
customers by giving them a high and good quality products (ex: rice,
vegetables, and fruits)

4. Community-

The benefit of this study will help the community to sense this as a
source of income if made into a business.

Definition of Terms

The following technical terms are defined in this study.

• Nitrogen- tasteless odorless gaseous chemical element

• Phosphorus- poisonous waxy chemical element
• Potassium- silver white metallic chemical element
• Calcium- a soft gray alkaline earth metal, fifth most abundant
element by mass in the earth’s crust.
• Sulfur- an abundant, multivalent non-metal
• Citrus Sinensis- the scientific name of sweet oranges. It is what
most consumers commonly buy.

13
Experimentation

The research about the comparison between 2 different brands of

fertilizer was aimed to help the community to be aware of the
importance of fertilizers and also to give them the information in
which fertilizer to use for their plants. Books, internet, and other
references materials were used as the primary sources of information
to strengthen the researchers’ view on this topic. But these were not
enough, so experiments were conducted by the researchers to gain
additional information.

The goal of research on fertilizer rate is to determine the amount of

fertilizer needed to achieve a commercial crop yield with sufficient
quality that is economically acceptable for the grower. In Florida,
these types of studies take a slightly different approach depending on
whether soil testing for the nutrient in question is involved. For
example, rate studies with nitrogen (N) on sandy soils would not
involve soil testing, but rate studies with phosphorus (P) or potassium
(K) would. In the case of N on sandy soils, the researcher assumes
there is minimal N supplied from the soil that would satisfy the crop
nutrient requirement. In the case of P or K, a properly calibrated soil
test will reveal if a response (yield and fruit quality) to the nutrient is
likely or not. Rate studies are best conducted on soils low in the
particular nutrient so that maximum crop response is likely and that
response can be modeled.

14
Proper experimental design and statistical data analyses are critical to
interpretation of the results. Research begins with a hypothesis or a
set of hypotheses. One possible hypothesis may be that there will be
no effect on yield associated with N fertilization. This hypothesis,
called the null hypothesis, is evaluated with an experiment to test crop
yield response against a range of N rates in a field likely to produce a
large response to the addition of N fertilizer.

The researcher applies a range of fertilizer rates thought to capture the

likely extent of possible crop yield responses. A zero-fertilizer
treatment is always included. Crop response without an actual
fertilizer application demonstrates and measures the soil-supplied
effects, if any. In some cases, sufficient nutrients, or at least a low
portion of the crop nutrient requirement, may come from the soil,
while in other cases, nutrients may come from the irrigation water.

15
The researcher may decide to divide the total seasonal amount of
fertilizer into split-applications, following what would likely be a
recommended practice for the crop being studied. Multiple
applications avoid potential large losses of fertilizer because of
rainfall events, especially for nutrients that are mobile in the soil.
Typically, all treatment rates are handled similarly for timing and
placement of the fertilizer to minimize any confounding effects with
rate.

During the growing season, the researcher may sample the plant for
nutrient concentrations, using whole dried leaves and/or fresh petiole
sap. These samples will help the researcher prove the response in
yield was related to the plant's nutrient status. Typically, soil samples
are not used because there is a chance of including a fertilizer particle
in the sample, or there may be questions of where to sample if the
fertilizer is applied by banding or through a drip tape. Photographs
taken during the season are useful for documenting both growth and
potential plant deficiency symptoms.

The crop response of interest, typically marketable yield, is measured

at the appropriate harvest time(s). For vegetables, the fruits are

evaluated according to USDA grade standards to detect any effects of

fertilization on fruit quality (size, color, sugar content, etc.). Yields

are expressed in the prevailing commercial units per area of

production (e.g., 28-lb boxes/acre, 42-lb crates/acre, bushels/acre,

16
tons/acre, etc.). The raw data should be plotted in a scatter diagram

(Figure 1) to gain insight into the type and magnitude of response.

Plotting the raw data allows the researcher to inspect for apparent

atypical data points that may illustrate errors somewhere in the data

entry process.

A. Materials:

• Pot A and Pot B

• Good quality of soil

• Seeds to be use (any kind of plant: pechay)

• Water

• Sunlight

• Branded Fertilizer

• Orange peelings

17
Procedure

• Sow seeds thinly on shallow furrows across the seed pot, and

cover lightly with fine topsoil. Do not broadcast seeds when

sowing to avoid thick germination in one place.

• Water the seed pot daily. Watering and other cultural

management practices should be regularly done.

• Apply liberal amount of fertilizer (Citrus Sensis Peeling for pot

A and branded fertilizer for pot B) at the base of the plants, then

cover lightly with soil and water immediately.

• Water the plant whenever necessary or depending on your own

judgment or observation of the plant

• Always remember to give both pots a presence of sunlight for

their process of growing.

• Every week, measure the height of both plants.

• For accurate measurements of length, depths compound

microscope used is provided with a vernier scale which slides

along with a main scale.

• Note the number of divisions of vernier which coincides with

number of full scale division.

18
 • Find the value of each main division and hence least count of

microscope Move the microscope very gently. Using the screw

focus the eye piece on the coin placed at the bottom of empty

container and bring the coin in focus.

• Note the reading of the microscope as r1. Pour water into the

beaker and coin appears to be raised.

• Move the microscope gradually and again bring the coin in

focus. Record reading as r2. Put a piece of paper in water and

move the microscope upward till the paper comes into focus.

Record the reading as r3.

• Difference of r3 and r1 gives real depth and r3 and r2 gives app

depth.

• Record your observations and calculate value of µ.

Observe

As long as the researchers followed the procedures, success of

experimentation will be achieved. Factors such as sunlight could
affect the study. In addition, if this is not available, possible that this
study could fail. However, researchers could try it once more again
and again until the study is evaluated.

19
Analysis of Fertilizers

Elements:

NITROGEN:

Major fertilizers containing N:

• Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3)

• Potassium nitrate (KNO3)
• Urea (NH2CONH2)
• Ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2SO4]

Preparation:

Most of nitrogen fertilizers are obtained form synthetic NH3. This

chemical compound is used as gas or in water solution or it is
converted to salts.

Nitrogen Deficiencies

• Pale, green, yellow leaves

• Stunted growth

Nitrogen in Excess –

• Lower disease resistance

• Weaken stem
• Decay maturity
• Lower fruit quality

20
Production

The production of synthetic, or inorganic, fertilizers requires prepared

chemicals, whereas organic fertilizers are derived from the organic
processes of plants and animals in biological processes using
biochemicals.

Nitrogen fertilizers

Total nitrogenous fertilizer consumption per region, measured in

tonnes of total nutrient per year.

Nitrogen fertilizers are made from ammonia (NH3) produced by the

Haber–Bosch process.[21] In this energy-intensive process, natural
gas (CH4) usually supplies the hydrogen, and the nitrogen (N2) is
derived from the air. This ammonia is used as a feedstock for all other
nitrogen fertilizers, such as anhydrous ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3)
and urea (CO(NH2)2).

Deposits of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) (Chilean saltpeter) are also found

in the Atacama desert in Chile and was one of the original (1830)
nitrogen-rich fertilizers used. It is still mined for fertilizer. Nitrates
are also produced from ammonia by the Ostwald process.

21
Phosphate fertilizers

An apatite mine in Siilinjärvi, Finland

Phosphate fertilizers are obtained by extraction from phosphate rock,

which contains two principal phosphorus-containing minerals,
fluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3F (CFA) and hydroxyapatite Ca5(PO4)3OH.
These minerals are converted into water-soluble phosphate salts by
treatment with sulfuric (H2SO4) or phosphoric acids (H3PO4). The
large production of sulfuric acid is primarily motivated by this
application.[32] In the nitrophosphate process or Odda process
(invented in 1927), phosphate rock with up to a 20% phosphorus (P)
content is dissolved with nitric acid (HNO3) to produce a mixture of
phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2). This
mixture can be combined with a potassium fertilizer to produce a
compound fertilizer with the three macronutrients N, P and K in
easily dissolved form.

22
Treatment significance

Researchers cannot study every possible experimental treatment (rate)

or combinations of treatments. In addition, there is natural variation in

the field where the research will be conducted. The field may have

variations in organic matter, soil pH, or moisture, all of which may

lead to variations in yield response having nothing to do with the N

treatment(s). Therefore, the notion of probability comes into play.

What are the chances that the observed differences in yield are

because of natural variation from plot to plot? This inherent

variability is where statistical analysis of the data helps to sort out the

differences most likely caused by treatment (N fertilization) from the

so-called "noise" or random error in the production system. If we

repeat the application of treatments, called replication, we can

estimate the relative amount of natural variation. Experiments should

always include replication as part of a properly designed experiment,

one that would pass a peer-review process. Analysis of variance is the

mathematical tool we use for this analysis, and with this statistical

tool we can test the relative proportion of the variation due to

treatment effects against the variation due to chance.

23
The generally accepted probability level of 0.05 (5%) is used in

agricultural research as the probability that there could be a real

difference when ANOVA indicates no such difference. This

probability level is the level of error that scientists are willing to

accept. In other words, a real difference is so rare that it is of minimal

practical concern. If the experiment were repeated 20 times, there

would be a 1 in 20 chance that our hypothesis would not be rejected.

Said another way, if the ANOVA indicates a difference between one

or more treatments, we are 95% certain that this difference is a real

effect. We call these differences "significant" differences. If ANOVA

detects significant differences among treatment means, then wse

reject our null hypothesis.

24
Organic fertilizers

A large commercial compost operation

"Organic fertilizers" can describe those fertilizers with an organic –

biologic – origin—that is, fertilizers derived from living or formerly
living materials. Organic fertilizers can also describe commercially
available and frequently packaged products that strive to follow the
expectations and restrictions adopted by "organic agriculture" and
"environmentally friendly" gardening – related systems of food and
plant production that significantly limit or strictly avoid the use of
synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The "organic fertilizer" products
typically contain both some organic materials as well as acceptable
additives such as nutritive rock powders, ground sea shells (crab,
oyster, etc.), other prepared products such as seed meal or kelp, and
cultivated microorganisms and derivatives.

25
Fertilizers of an organic origin (the first definition) include animal
wastes, plant wastes from agriculture, seaweed, compost, and treated
sewage sludge (biosolids). Beyond manures, animal sources can
include products from the slaughter of animals – bloodmeal, bone
meal, feather meal, hides, hoofs, and horns all are typical components.
Organically derived materials available to industry such as sewage
sludge may not be acceptable components of organic farming and
gardening, because of factors ranging from residual contaminants to
public perception. On the other hand, marketed "organic fertilizers"
may include, and promote, processed organics because the materials
have consumer appeal. No matter the definition nor composition,
most of these products contain less-concentrated nutrients, and the
nutrients are not as easily quantified. They can offer soil-building
advantages as well as be appealing to those who are trying to farm /
garden more "naturally".

In terms of volume, peat is the most widely used packaged organic

soil amendment. It is an immature form of coal and improves the soil
by aeration and absorbing water but confers no nutritional value to the
plants. It is therefore not a fertilizer as defined in the beginning of the
article, but rather an amendment. Coir, (derived from coconut husks),
bark, and sawdust when added to soil all act similarly (but not
identically) to peat and are also considered organic soil amendments –
or texturizers – because of their limited nutritive inputs. Some organic
additives can have a reverse effect on nutrients – fresh sawdust can
consume soil nutrients as it breaks down, and may lower soil pH – but
26
these same organic texturizers (as well as compost, etc.) may increase
the availability of nutrients through improved cation exchange, or
through increased growth of microorganisms that in turn increase
availability of certain plant nutrients. Organic fertilizers such as
composts and manures may be distributed locally without going into
industry production, making actual consumption more difficult to
quantify.

Statistics

Fertilizer use (2018). From FAO's World Food and Agriculture –

Statistical Yearbook 2020

China has become the largest producer and consumer of nitrogen

fertilizers[37] while Africa has little reliance on nitrogen fertilizers.
Agricultural and chemical minerals are very important in industrial
use of fertilizers, which is valued at approximately $200 billion.
Nitrogen has a significant impact in the global mineral use, followed
by potash and phosphate. The production of nitrogen has drastically
increased since the 1960s. Phosphate and potash have increased in
price since the 1960s, which is larger than the consumer price index.
Potash is produced in Canada, Russia and Belarus, together making
up over half of the world production.[39] Potash production in
Canada rose in 2017 and 2018 by 18.6%.[40] Conservative estimates
report 30 to 50% of crop yields are attributed to natural or synthetic
commercial fertilizers. Fertilizer consumption has surpassed the
amount of farmland in the United States.

27
Data on the fertilizer consumption per hectare arable land in 2012 are
published by The World Bank.[42] The diagram below shows
fertilizer consumption by the European Union (EU) countries as
kilograms per hectare (pounds per acre). The total consumption of
fertilizer in the EU is 15.9 million tons for 105 million hectare arable
land area[43] (or 107 million hectare arable land according to another
estimate[44]). This figure equates to 151 kg of fertilizers consumed
per ha arable land on average by the EU countries.

28
Mathematical descriptions of the response (models)

In statistical terms, fertilizer rate research employs various levels of a

quantitative variable, the amount of fertilizer. If the ANOVA
indicates a significant N treatment effect, as in Table 1, then the
researcher will wish to further evaluate the response with the
development of the mathematical model. Responses to a quantitative
variable can be statistically inspected along the full range of the levels
of the variable, and the responses to rates in between those actually
applied in the field can be calculated. In most fertilizer experiments, a
set of 4 to 5 levels of fertilizer plus a zero-fertilizer control is
sufficient for most models. The results can be presented graphically
by an equation or model. The model can be used to predict results if a
second experiment similar to the first were conducted. Models are
typically developed with regression analyses.

Various models can be fit to a set of data to explain the responses. A

linear model might explain a response that continues upward or
downward in a straight line within the range of tested fertilizer rates.
A linear response may mean the chosen range of treatments was
insufficient to determine the maximum (or minimum) yield. A
quadratic response is typical of crop yield in which the response
increases with fertilizer rate to a point where yield approaches a
maximum but then might decrease at higher rates. In other words,
there is a point at which increased fertilizer does not result in a
significant increase in yield. Quadratic models also typically have a

29
linear component, meaning that as fertilizer rates increase from low to
medium rates the yield also increases. At a certain point, the rate of
yield increase starts to stabilize or decline.

Linear and quadratic models are the simplest equations to use for
explaining crop responses to fertilizer, and they have served scientists
well as long as the main interest in the research was maximizing
yield. However, today there are other goals in fertilizer research,
including economics and environmental issues. Several researchers
30
have explored different models for explaining crop responses to
fertilizer (see the articles in the list of references at the end of this
publication). Studies have found that the quadratic model leads to
overestimation of fertilizer recommendations derived from responses
to fertilizer (Cerrato and Blackmer 1987; Hochmuth et al. 1993a;
1993b; 1996; Willcutts et al. 1998). If the goal of the research was to
select a fertilizer rate to be used as a recommended practice, then the
quadratic model will usually predict a greater fertilizer need if the
maximum point from the model is taken as the putative
recommendation. The maximum yield mean is not always
significantly different from one or more means resulting from lesser
fertilizer rates. If we inspect the plot of data in Figure 1, we might
predict that there is little difference in yields among the fertilizer rates
from 150 lb/acre or greater.

31
Atmosphere

Global methane concentrations (surface and atmospheric) for 2005;

note distinct plumes

Through the increasing use of nitrogen fertilizer, which was used at a

rate of about 110 million tons (of N) per year in 2012 adding to the

already existing amount of reactive nitrogen, nitrous oxide (N2O) has

become the third most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide

and methane. It has a global warming potential 296 times larger than

an equal mass of carbon dioxide and it also contributes to

stratospheric ozone depletion. By changing processes and procedures,

it is possible to mitigate some, but not all, of these effects on

anthropogenic climate change.

Methane emissions from crop fields (notably rice paddy fields) are

increased by the application of ammonium-based fertilizers. These

emissions contribute to global climate change as methane is a potent

greenhouse gas.

32
Regulation

In Europe, problems with high nitrate concentrations in runoff are

being addressed by the European Union's Nitrates Directive. Within

Britain, farmers are encouraged to manage their land more sustainably

in 'catchment-sensitive farming'. In the US, high concentrations of

nitrate and phosphorus in runoff and drainage water are classified as

nonpoint source pollutants due to their diffuse origin; this pollution is

regulated at the state level. Oregon and Washington, both in the

United States, have fertilizer registration programs with on-line

databases listing chemical analyses of fertilizers. China, regulations

have been implemented to control the use of N fertilizers in farming.

In 2008, Chinese governments began to partially withdraw fertilizer

subsidies, including subsidies to fertilizer transportation and to

electricity and natural gas use in the industry. In consequence, the

price of fertilizer has gone up and large-scale farms have begun to use

less fertilizer. If large-scale farms keep reducing their use of fertilizer

subsidies, they have no choice but to optimize the fertilizer they have

which would therefore gain an increase in both grain yield and profit.

33
In March 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture

announced a new $250M grant to promote American fertilizer

production. Part of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the grant

program will support fertilizer production that is independent of

dominant fertilizer suppliers, made in America, and utilizing

innovative production techniques to jumpstart future competition.

Two types of agricultural management practices include organic

agriculture and conventional agriculture. The former encourages soil

fertility using local resources to maximize efficiency. Organic

agriculture avoids synthetic agrochemicals. Conventional agriculture

uses all the components that organic agriculture does not use.

34
Conclusion

Historically fertilization came from natural or organic sources:

compost, animal manure, human manure, harvested minerals, crop
rotations and byproducts of human-nature industries (i.e. fish
processing waste, or bloodmeal from animal slaughter). However,
starting in the 19th century, after innovations in plant nutrition, an
agricultural industry developed around synthetically created
fertilizers. This transition was important in transforming the global
food system, allowing for larger-scale industrial agriculture with large
crop yields. Nitrogen-fixing chemical processes, such as the Haber
process invented at the beginning of the 20th century, and amplified
by production capacity created during World War II, led to a boom in
using nitrogen fertilizers.In the latter half of the 20th century,
increased use of nitrogen fertilizers (800% increase between 1961 and
2019) has been a crucial component of the increased productivity of
conventional food systems (more than 30% per capita) as part of the
so-called "Green Revolution".

The use of artificial and industrially-applied fertilizers has caused

environmental consequences such as water pollution and
eutrophication due to nutritional runoff; carbon and other emissions
from fertilizer production and mining; and contamination and
pollution of soil.

35
References
1. Scherer, Heinrich W.; Mengel, Konrad; Kluge, Günter; Severin,
Karl (2009). "Fertilizers, 1. General". Ullmann's Encyclopedia
of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH.
doi:10.1002/14356007.a10_323.pub3.
2. "Fritz Haber". Science History Institute. 1 June 2016. Retrieved
16 December 2022.
3. Mbow et al. 2019.
4. "Total fertilizer production by nutrient". Our World in Data.
Retrieved 7 March 2020.
5. "World population with and without synthetic nitrogen
fertilizers". Our World in Data. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
6. Uekötter, Frank (2010). Die Wahrheit ist auf dem Feld: Eine
Wissensgeschichte der deutschen Landwirtschaft. Vandenhoeck
& Ruprecht. ISBN 978-3-5253-1705-1.
7. Uekötter, Frank (2014). "Why Panaceas Work: Recasting
Science, Knowledge, and Fertilizer Interests in German
Agriculture". Agricultural History. 88 (1): 68–86.
doi:10.3098/ah.2014.88.1.68. ISSN 0002-1482. JSTOR
10.3098/ah.2014.88.1.68.
8. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Lawes, Sir John
Bennet". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge
University Press.

36