- Basic Principles of Fertilizer Application. - Soil is the principle source of other nutrients. - Primary nutrients(nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are used in relatively large amounts by plants, and often are supplemented as fertilizers.

1. WELCOME

2. INDIRA GANDHI KRISHI VISHWAVIDYALAYA
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, RAIPUR
Session 2020-21
Presentation on
“Principles of Fertilizer Application”
For the course of
“Soil Fertility & Nutrient Management”
Presented By
Vijay Ambast
M.Sc. (Agril. Extension)

3. Contents
Principles of fertilizer application
1. Frequency of fertilizer application.
2. Quantity of fertilizer to be applied.
3. Time of fertilizer application.
4. Kinds of fertilizer to be applied.
5. Placement of fertilizers.

4. 1. Frequency of fertilizer application.
Plants need different nutrient rates and ratios at different
growth stages.
In order for the nutrients to be available when the plant
needs them, fertilizers should be applied at the right time.
The optimum timing for fertilizer application is, therefore,
determined by the Nutrient Uptake Pattern of the crop. For
the same crop, each nutrient has an individual uptake
pattern.

5. Examples-
Jajar legowo Experiment:
 The effects of frequency of fertilizer applications on rice cultivated at riparian wetland also
have to be understood.
 In this research, both single and split applications of fertilizer were employed.
 We take 7 treatment- T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7 as application of fertilizers.
 The single fertilizer applications were applied at 15 (Days After Transplanting)-(T1), 30 DAT-(T2),
45 DAT-(T3); and the split applications were 15+30 DAT-(T4), 15+45 DAT-(T5), 30+45 DAT-(T6), and
15+30+45 DAT-(T7).
Results:
 This research indicated that crops in the edge rows produced higher leaf area index but those at internal
rows produced higher dry weight biomass.
 Split fertilizer application to three times (T7) increased the weight of grains and number of filled Spikelet
but did not affect other shoot and root growth traits. Overall, fertilizer application increased leaf chlorophyll
and nitrogen content.
 Jajar legowo planting pattern and split fertilizer application to three times are recommended for increasing
yield in rice cultivated at riparian wetlands.
Source: Research paper on rice planting pattern at different frequency of fertilizer application, AGRIVITA Journal of Agriculture Science.

6. 2. Quantity of fertilizer application.
Quantity of fertilizers depends on uptake of nutrients by crops.
It should be based on soil analysis for different nutrients.
Traditional cultivars does not respond to high rates of
application. Hybrids and improved cultivars give high yield at
higher rates of application.
Irrigated crops require higher quantities of fertilizers than
dryland crops. Legumes require more phosphorus than nitrogen.
Four types of recommendations are:
1. Threshold dose.
2. Minimum recommended dose.
3. Optimum dose.
4. Yield maximizing dose.

7. Examples-
DJOMO SIME Herve Experiment:
 This study was conducted in 2015 in Ndop, Ngoketujia Division in the North-West region of Cameroon.
Four varieties of rice were used: NERICA3, NERICA7 (upland rice), NERICA36 and NERICA42 (lowland rice).
 Two types of fertilizers N-P-K (23-10-05 and N-P-K (20-10-10) were tested at different doses (0 kg control; 180
kg, 200 kg, 220 kg-treatments).
 The trial was set up in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a manner following conventional
methods. Application of fertilizers was done at 21 and 51 days after planting (DAP).
 The growth parameters were evaluated weekly while yield parameters were collected at maturity.
Results:
 The fertilizer N-P-K (23-10-05) gave a better growth with appropriate doses compared to N-P-K (20-10-10) in all
the varieties used in this study while fertilizer N-P-K (20-10-10) gave a better yield than N-P-K (23-10-05) in the
same varieties.
 In terms of output of rice, fertilizer N-P-K (20-10-10) proves better at dose 200 kg than fertilizer N-P-K (23-10-
05) at the same dose. For good growth and yield the use of appropriate doses of fertilizers will significantly
improve the yield of rice.
Source: Research paper Effect of different doses of NPK fertilizer on growth and yield of rice in Ndop, Northwest of Cameroon, Academic Journal, African Journal of Agricultural Research.

8. 3. Time of fertilizer application.
 Fertilizer should be applied when plants need it, when it will be most
effective, and when plants can readily take it up.
 A close relationship exists between available soil moisture and response of
crops to fertilizers. In arid and semi-arid regions, soil moisture is the limiting
factor for fertilizer use. All the fertilizer are recommended as basal application
for rainfed crops grown on stored soil moisture.
 Rate of crop growth is proportional to the rate of assimilation of nutrient,
especially nitrogen (N). Demand for N increases from early vegetative to
flowering stage.
 Hence, N fertilizers should be applied atleast twice, one at sowing and again
before flowering. Phosphorus and potash requirements, in general, are higher
during early phase of crop growth. As such entire dose may be applied at
sowing.

9. Examples-
Zelalem et al.,2016 Experiments:
 An experiment consisting of a fertilizer rate of 69 kg N/hac. and seven nitrogen application times was conducted on Vertisols
of Fogera plain during 2016/2007 cropping season.
 Recommended fertilizer rate of 69 kg N/hac. was used in the experiment (Tilahun et al., 2007).
 The Nitrogen was applied in seven different splits of nitrogen fertilizer application times.
 (T1) 1/2 at sowing + 1/2 at tillering representing the control.
 (T2) 1/3 at sowing + 2/3 at tillering.
 (T3) 1/3 at 15 days after sowing + 2/3 at panicle initiation.
 (T4) 1/3 at 25 days after sowing + 2/3 at panicle initiation.
 (T5) 1/3 at sowing + 1/3 at mid tillering + 1/3 at panicle initiation.
 (T6) 1/3 at 15 days after sowing +1/3 at panicle initiation +1/3 at heading.
 (T7) 1/3 at 25 days after sowing + 1/3 at panicle initiation +1/3 at heading.
 The treatments were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications.
Results:
 Results showed significant difference in grain yield in response to time of N application. The highest mean grain yield (3.5
ton/ha) was recorded when N was applied 1/3 at 25 days after sowing and 2/3 at panicle initiation (Treatment 3).
 Therefore, it can be concluded that nitrogen applied 1/3 at 25 days after sowing plus 2/3 at panicle initiation is the
appropriate time for rice production.
Source: Research article on Effects of Time of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on the Growth and Productivity of Rice (Oryza Sativa L) in Fogera Plain, Northwestern Ethiopia,
International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences (IJRSAS).

10. 4. Kinds of fertilizer to be applied.
 Each field, each plant, each seed needs nutrients to grow. Fertilizers play a
large role in giving seeds nutrients and growing strong healthy plants. With
all of the types of fertilizers, which one is best? That answer depends on
which plant is needing fertilized and at what stage of life the plant is at.
 Fertilizers containing nitrate N are not ideal for sandy soils as the applied N is
lost by leaching. Ammonia or ammonia farming fertilizer are ideal for lowland
rice. Acid forming fertilizer can be used for neutral and alkaline soils.
 Water soluble phosphatic fertilizer like superphosphate is best suited to
neutral soils. Citrate soluble phosphates gives best results on acid soils.

11. Examples-
Olowoake et al., 2012 Experiment:
 This Field experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of Kwara State University, Malete,
Ilorin, to evaluate the effect of compost, organomineral, and inorganic fertilizers on the growth
and yield of Amaranthus caudatus as well as its residual effects.
 Amaranthus was grown with compost-Grade B (unamended compost), organomineral fertilizer-
Grade A (compost amended with mineral fertilizer), and NPK 15-15-15 and no fertilizer (control). All
the treatments except control were applied at the rate of 100 kg N/ha.
Results:
 The results indicated that the Amaranthus yield of 18.9 t/ha produced from Grade A was
significantly higher than 17.6 t/ha obtained from NPK fertilizer.
 Residual effect of Amaranthus growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, and yield
values obtained from Grade A was also significantly higher than that of NPK, compost, and control
values. Thus, organomineral fertilizer could be used in cultivation of Amaranthus caudatus in Ilorin
and in similar type of soil in similar agroecology.
Source: Research article on Effect of Fertilizer Types on the Growth and Yield of Amaranthus caudatus in Ilorin, Savanna Zone of Nigeria, Hindawi Publishing Corporation

12. 5. Placement of fertilizer.
 Fertilizer placement in soil, which refers to precise application of
specific fertilizer formulations close to seeds or plant roots to ensure high
nutrient availability, may be a more effective alternative to broadcast
application
 Placement of fertilizers in the root zone improves their efficiency. There should
be minimum contact of fertilizers with the soil to avoid fixation of nutrients.
 Phosphorus fixation in acid soils can be minimized by placement of water
soluble phosphate fertilizers.
 Ammoniacal fertilizers should placed in reduced zone for lowland rice to avoid
losses of applied nitrogen.
 Response of dryland crops to fertilizers increase with their placement at about
5-10 cm below the surface, where soil moisture will be available for over a long
period of time.

13. Examples-
Meng wo et al., 2016 Experiment:
 Field plot experiments were conducted over 3 years (from April 2014 to November 2016) in a double-rice (Oryza
sativa L.) cropping system in subtropical China
 Three treatments, CK (no N fertilizer), NBP (broadcast application of N fertilizer), and NDP (NDP at 12 cm right
below soil surface where the rice seedling was placed) were conducted with three replicates.
 In each plot, the base fertilizer, urea (N 0.92 g per plot for N treatments), calcium magnesium phosphate (P2O5
0.50 g per plot), and potassium chloride (K2O 0.83 g per plot) were applied according to planting density and
the rate of fertilizer application in the field experiment. For CK and NBP, the fertilizers were broadcasted on
the soil surface. For NDP, P, and K were broadcasted, and N fertilizer was deep applied.
Results:
 Results showed that grain yield are apparently increased for NDP as compared to NBP. The main reason was that
N deep placement (NDP) increased the number of productive panicle per m−2 .
 Nitrogen supply in different soil layers in NDP during the whole rice growing stage because it indicate NDP could
maintain a higher N supply in deep soil layers than N broadcast for 52 days during rice growth.
Source: Research article on Nitrogen Fertilizer Deep Placement for Increased Grain Yield and Nitrogen Recovery Efficiency in Rice Grown in Subtropical China,
Frontier in plant science, Original Research.

14. References:
 Principles of Agronomy, T. Yellamanda Reddy and G.H. Sankara Reddy.
 Research paper on rice planting pattern at different frequency of fertilizer
application, AGRIVITA Journal of Agriculture Science.
 Research paper Effect of different doses of NPK fertilizer on growth and yield of rice in
Ndop, Northwest of Cameroon, Academic Journal, African Journal of Agricultural
Research.
 Research article on Effects of Time of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on the Growth
and Productivity of Rice (Oryza Sativa L) in Fogera Plain, North Western Ethiopia,
International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences (IJRSAS).
 Research article on Effect of Fertilizer Types on the Growth and Yield of Amaranthus
caudatus in Ilorin, Savanna Zone of Nigeria, Hindawi Publishing Corporation.
 Research article on Nitrogen Fertilizer Deep Placement for Increased Grain Yield and
Nitrogen Recovery Efficiency in Rice Grown in Subtropical China, Frontier in plant
science, Original Research.

15. THANK YOU