Fertilisers

Infobox on Fertilisers
Example of Fertilisers
Facts
Origin	-
Stowage factor (in m3/t)	1.15 m3/t (without nitrate; bulk)
Humidity / moisture	-
Ventilation	See text
Risk factors	See text

Fertilisers

Description

Fertilizer (or fertiliser) is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that is added to a soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Conservative estimates report 30 to 50% of crop yields are attributed to natural or synthetic commercial fertilizer.

Mined inorganic fertilizers have been used for many centuries, whereas chemically synthesized inorganic fertilizers were only widely developed during the industrial revolution.

Inorganic fertilizer use has also 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.

Mined inorganic fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions:

• six macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S);
• eight micronutrients: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) (1987).
  
  

The macronutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant tissue in quantities from 0.15% to 6.0% on a dry matter (0% moisture) basis (DM). Micronutrients are consumed in smaller quantities and are present in plant tissue on the order of parts per million (ppm), ranging from 0.15 to 400 ppm DM, or less than 0.04% DM.

Only three other macronutrients are required by all plants: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These nutrients are supplied by water and carbon dioxide.

Forms
Fertilizers come in various forms. The most typical form is solid fertilizer in granulated or powdered forms. The next most common form is liquid fertilizer; some advantages of liquid fertilizer are its immediate effect and wide coverage.

There are also slow-release fertilizers (various forms including fertilizer spikes, tabs, etc.) which reduce the problem of "burning" the plants due to excess nitrogen. Polymer coating of fertilizer ingredients gives tablets and spikes a 'true time-release' or 'staged nutrient release' (SNR) of fertilizer nutrients.

More recently, organic fertilizer is on the rise as people are resorting to environmental friendly (or 'green') products. Although organic fertilizers usually contain a lower concentration of nutrients, this lower concentration avoids complication of nitrogen burn harming the plants. In addition, organic fertilizers such as compost and worm castings break down slowly into complex organic structures (humus) which build the soil's structure and moisture- and nutrient-retaining capabilities.

Inorganic commercial fertilizer
Fertilizers are broadly divided into organic fertilizers (composed of organic plant or animal matter), or inorganic or commercial fertilizers. Plants can only absorb their required nutrients if they are present in easily dissolved chemical compounds. Both organic and inorganic fertilizers provide the same needed chemical compounds. Organic fertilizers provided other macro and micro plant nutrients and are released as the organic matter decays—this may take months or years. Organic fertilizers nearly always have much lower concentrations of plant nutrients and have the usual problems of economical collection, treatment, transportation and distribution.

Inorganic fertilizers nearly always are readily dissolved and unless added have few other macro and micro plant nutrients. Nearly all nitrogen that plants use is in the form of NH₃ or NO₃ compounds. The usable phosphorus compounds are usually in the form of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) and the potassium (K) is typically in the form of potassium chloride (KC_l). In organic fertilizers nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds are released from the complex organic compounds as the animal or plant matter decays. In commercial fertilizers the same required compounds are available in easily dissolved compounds that require no decay—they can be used almost immediately after water is applied. Inorganic fertilizers are usually much more concentrated with up to 64% (18-46-0) of their weight being a given plant nutrient, compared to organic fertilizers that only provide 0.4% or less of their weight as a given plant nutrient.

Synthetic fertilizers are commonly used for growing all crops, with application rates depending on the soil fertility, usually as measured by a soil test and according to the particular crop. Legumes, for example, fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and generally do not require nitrogen fertilizer.

Studies have shown that application of nitrogen fertilizer on off-season cover crops can increase the biomass (and subsequent green manure value) of these crops, while having a beneficial effect on soil nitrogen levels for the main crop planted during the summer season.

Nutrients in soil can be thrown out of balance with high concentrations of fertilizers. The interconnectedness and complexity of this soil ‘food web’ means any appraisal of soil function must necessarily take into account interactions with the living communities that exist within the soil. Stability of the system is reduced by the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which cause soil acidification.

Applying excessive amounts of fertilizer has negative environmental effects, and wastes the growers' time and money. To avoid over-application, the nutrient status of crops should be assessed. Nutrient deficiency can be detected by visually assessing the physical symptoms of the crop. Nitrogen deficiency, for example has a distinctive presentation in some species. However, quantitative tests are more reliable for detecting nutrient deficiency before it has significantly affected the crop. Both soil tests and Plant Tissue Tests are used in agriculture to fine-tune nutrient management to the crops needs.

Shipment / Storage / Risk factors

Material containing essential element for plant growth.

"Fertilizers" is a general term for a group of substances with widely varying properties. Some such as potassium chloride and super phosphate, are harmless whilst others, such as Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizers are inherently dangerous. Many fertilizers slowly corrode metals particularly in the presence of water or moisture.

Except for urea, which is non-ionic bound, fertilizers should not be consolidated with packaged or unpacked metal goods. When cargo is offered as fertilizer the shipper should be asked to specify the type.

Fertilizers are usually transported as bulk or bagged cargoes. If bagged, the bags are normally made from woven polypropylene or polythene. Fertilisers are liable to deterioration following moisture ingress and should be stored as soon as possible. Losses can occur if bags are torn and burst in transit.

See also Phosphates and Superphosphates and under individual commodity headings.

Regulations for the shipping of fertilisers may be found in the IMDG Code, issued by the International Maritime Organisation. See also Phosphates and Superphosphates and under individual commodity headings.

Over the last few years various problems have been encountered, associated with coagulation and compaction of prilled nitrogenous fertilizer in bulk. The majority of fertilizer carried is in the form of urea, Ammonium Nitrate or sodium/Potassium Nitrate. The fertilizer can be shipped in 50 kg bags, in flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) up to one tonne or in bulk for bagging on completion of discharge.

On arrival at the discharge ports it is not uncommon for the prilled fertilizer to be found in a compacted state. This condition may easily be identified if the product is in pure bulk form; however, it may not so easily be identified if carried in Bulk Bags or palletised bags.

Compaction or coagulation may occur prior to discharge due to one or more of the following reasons:

1. Insufficient drying carried out prior to loading. If the product is dried utilizing a blown air system there should be sufficient volume of air to carry out the drying process.
2. Insufficient anti-caking agent applied. If anti-caking agent is used it is most important that the correct application rate should be applied.
3. Insufficient priming/curing time prior to loading. Anti-caking agents require time to act before loading or bagging.
4. Loading/bagging in conditions of high humidity. During times of high humidity many prilled fertilizers become remarkably hygroscopic and will absorb moisture from the atmosphere.
5. Water ingress during sea passage. This may occur either due to leaking hatches or ingress via the bilge system.
6. Moisture due to condensation. If the passage is subject to variable temperatures, condensation may form on the ship’s structure and fall on to the cargo. Ventilation on passage may have to be considered but instructions should be sought from shippers.
7. Natural compaction due to motion of the vessel whilst on passage.

The problems encountered by the farmers as end users may be listed as follows:

1. Time factor. The time taken to break down the lumps manually to a free flowing state may greatly increase the time taken to spread a given acreage.
2. Uneven spread rate. If the lumps are not completely broken down, blocking of the spreader outlet may occur, reducing the application rate or even cutting off the flow completely. This results in uneven spread of the product. Crop reduction may be a direct result.
3. Spillage. A considerable amount of spillage may occur when large lumps drop into free flowing prills. This has an effect of increasing time taken and also wastage.
4. Damage to machinery. The unexpected dropping of large lumps of product into hoppers may result in damage being occasioned to the hopper sides or distortion of the filter grid.
5. Safety implications. Various comments have been made to surveyors concerning this aspect. Where bags are suspended over the spreader hopper and the bottom of the bag slit to allow product to flow into the hopper, some party of the human body will of necessity be partially below the bag during this operation. If the bag is slit and the weight of the solid lump splits the bag further and suddenly drops, injury may result.

It should be pointed out that the compaction or coagulation does not impair the quality of the product once it has been broken down to a usable free-flowing condition. However, this saving is not sufficient to compensate farmers for the additional time taken to break down the lumps to a useable condition. Late deliveries may aggravate the problems, forcing the farmers to accept the product rather than reject it and await fresh delivery.