Description
Many soils require the addition
of several essential nutrients to alleviate plant deficiencies. The
combination (compound or complex) fertilizers can offer advantages
of convenience in the field, economic savings, and ease in meeting
crop nutritional needs. NPK compound fertilizers are made using
basic fertilizer materials, such as NH3, ammonium phosphate, urea,
S, and K salts. NPK compound fertilizer contains multiple nutrients
in each individual granule, which differs from a blend of
fertilizers mixed together to achieve a desired average nutrient
composition. This difference allows NPK compound fertilizer to be
spread so that each granule delivers a mixture of nutrients as it
dissolves in the soil and eliminates the potential for segregation
of nutrient sources during transport or application. Micronutrient
materials can be added during NPK compound fertilizers production
process, which allows a uniform distribution of micronutrients
throughout the rootzone.
NPK Compound fertilizers are
sometimes more expensive than a physical combination or blend of
the primary nutrient sources since they require additional
processing. However, when a consideration is made of all the
factors involved with nutrient handling and use, compound
fertilizers may offer considerable advantages.
NPK compound fertilizers are
especially effective for applying an initial nutrient dose in
advance of planting. There are certain ratios of nutrients
available from us for specific soil and crop conditions. This
approach offers advantages of simplicity in making complex
fertilizer decisions, but does not allow the flexibility to blend
fertilizers to meet specific crop requirements. Turf managers and
homeowners often find compound fertilizers desirable.
Nitrogen is the nutrient that
most commonly needs to be carefully managed and reapplied during
the growing season. It may not be feasible to supply sufficient N
in advance of planting to meet the entire demand (using only
compound fertilizer) without over-applying some of the other
nutrients. It may be advisable to use a compound fertilizer early
in the growing season and then later apply only N fertilizer as
needed.