Sources of N, P and K

1
Sources of N, P and K

• Brad Lubbers
• Topic 2033

2
Introduction

• Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium
• Common forms taken up by the plant
• Early forms of phosphorus
• Commercial fertilizers
• Nitrogen fixation

3
Nitrogen

• Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3)
• Reaction between Nitric Acid (HNO3) and Ammonia
  (NH3)
• 34 percent nitrogen

4
Nitrogen

• Ammonium Sulfate ((NH4)2SO4)
• 24 percent sulfur
• 21 percent nitrogen
• Produced by reaction between Ammonia (NH3) and
  Sulfuric Acid (HSO4)

5
Nitrogen

• Urea
• 46 percent nitrogen
• Produced by reaction between Ammonia (NH3) and
  Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

6
Nitrogen Fixation

• Biological process performed by legumes (alfalfa
  and soybeans) which converts Nitrogen gas (N2)
  from the atmosphere into amino acids and proteins
  
• Symbiotic relationship between plant roots and
  bacteria

7
Phosphorus

• Apatite
• Basic source of Phosphate fertilizer
• Treated with heat and acids in fertilizer
  production making it soluble in the soil solution

8
Phosphorus

• Superphosphate (P2O5)
• Rock phosphate treated with sulfuric acid
• 16 to 30 percent phosphoric acid (P2O5)

9
Phosphorus

• Liquid Phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
• Apatite treated with sulfuric acid
• 40 to 50 percent (P2O5)

10
Phosphorus

• Triple Superphosphate
• Apatite reacted with phosphoric acid
• 44 percent (P2O5)

11
Potassium

• Early forms
• Animal manure
• Plant and animal residue
• Ground bones
• Wood ashes

12
Potassium

• Potassium Chloride (KCl)
• Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4)
• Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)

13
Questions