When we talk about fertilising fields, home gardens or potted plants, the right choice matters a lot. Over time, as the food we grow begins to deplete the soil of its natural nutrition, replacing and replenishing the nutritional resources becomes extremely important. 

Fertilisers are an important part of any agricultural practice. They are the food source, the nutrition booster and the hand behind luscious, healthy and vibrant crops. They supplement the natural nutrients found in the soil, make it more accessible to plants and promote stronger root systems and healthier foliage. 

But, plants often experience nutritional deficiencies. To thrive, plants require a combination of micro and macronutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Sulfur, iron, oxygen and much more, which they get from the medium they grow in. As the crop grows, it takes up nutrients to spread its roots and grow fruit and flowers. By the time the crop is ready for harvest, it has likely used up all the available nutrients, depleting the soil of its natural reserve. 

In the past, to combat this issue, after every harvest, many farmers used to leave the land. To allow it to gather the energy and nutrients for the next crop season. Several others used to grow legumes and similar plants that added nitrogen back to the soil.

Today, fertilisers have become a useful resource for restoring the productivity of the soil. 

Different Types of Fertilisers

Each crop has a different nutritional requirement, and ensuring it is receiving the right amount of micro and macronutrients via agri inputs such as fertilisers is important. 

Industrially, there are four different types of fertilisers in two different forms – granular and liquid.

Controlled Release Fertiliser

Controlled Release Fertiliser or CRF is a purposely designed fertiliser that, as the name suggests, releases nutrients over time. Usually available in granular form, CRFs are covered by a semipermeable membrane and slowly dissolve in response to soil temperature and moisture. These fertilisers can be scattered directly onto the soil and are much preferred by farmers who want maximum results in minimal effort. CRFs provide a steady supply of nutrients, thus promoting uniform crop growth.

Slow Release Fertiliser

Though slow-release fertilisers are often considered synonymous with CRFs, they respond differently. Unlike CRFs, slow-release fertilisers depend on microbial organisms to break down naturally. Since the nutrients are released gradually, plants have a consistent nutritional supply. Many slow-release fertilisers such as plant and animal manure, blood and bone meal improve the natural structure of the soil over time, thanks to the organic matter they contain.

Single Nutrient Fertiliser

Single nutrient or straight fertilisers are those that contain only “one” macronutrient – N, P or K. These can be beneficial for correcting single nutrient deficiencies in the crop, particularly during flowering or fruiting season. For instance, fruit-bearing trees require high amounts of Potassium for bud and fruit formation. To fulfil this requirement, farmers can apply a Muriate of Potash around the base of the plant.

Some examples of straight fertilisers are sodium nitrate, IFFCO Nano Urea, Ammonium Sulphate, potassium chloride, etc. These, however, may not be sufficient to fulfil other nutritional requirements. Instead of buying different fertilisers to ensure plants receive a balanced nutrition, farmers can opt for a reasonably IFFCO DAP price for targeted application of Nitrogen and Phosphorus.

Organic Fertiliser

The application of organic fertiliser has been deeply rooted in sustainable farming practices. Made from natural sources like plant and animal manure, plant clippings, dead matter, and worm castings, organic fertilisers are gentle on the plants and promote microbial activities in the soil naturally. They are also environment friendly as they contain zero chemicals and do not leach.

Choosing the right fertiliser can make all the difference for your farm. But choosing the right fertiliser begins with understanding the crop’s nutritional requirements, farm size, environmental considerations and the soil it is growing in.