Fertilizer 101. A guide to better sales. Know what you sell!

Transcription

1 Fertilizer 101 A guide to better sales. Know what you sell!

2 Fertilizer Nutrient Sources Nutrient Benefits Fertilizer Ratios The Challenge Fertilizer Label Basic Calculations Selling Fertilizers

3 What is Fertilizer? Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin that is added to the soil to supply elements necessary for the growth of plants. 1. All fertilizers are labeled with three numbers that represent the primary nutrients that plants need: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. (N-P-K) 2. They are always listed as a percentage of those nutrients and always in that order.

4 What is Fertilizer? Supplies basic plant nutrients Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium

5 Most fertilizers are made up of three primary elements, known as Macro-nutrients. N-P-K Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Potash

6 (N) Nitrogen Quickly Available (water soluble) Urea Ammonium Nitrate Ammonium Sulfate Ammonium Phosphate Calcium Nitrate Slowly Available (slowly soluble, slow release, natural organic) Urea-formaldehyde Methex , MESA Sulfur Coated Urea , , Polymer Coated - Polyon, Osmocote, Nutricote Natural Organic

7 Nitrogen (N) is required for the green, leafy vegetative growth of plants. Promotes leaf and stem growth Essential component of the chlorophyll which gives plants it s dark green color Helps with the uptake of other key nutrients such as Fe Deficiency symptoms of nitrogen are an overall pale yellow color of leaves and dwarfed or stunted plants. Nitrogen is easily leached down through the soil below the roots and is not available to the plant so is the element most often lacking and needing replacement. Too much nitrogen can delay flowering, fruiting and seed set.

8 (P) Phosphorous Ammoniated phosphates - diammonium phosphate Monoamomonium phosphate Organic Sources - poultry manure, bio-solids, turkey litter Super Phosphate

9 Phosphorous (P) promotes root growth, root branching, stem growth, flowering, fruiting, seed formation and maturation. Formation and transfer of energy within the plant Early Root development and growth - starter fertilizers Overall establishment of a plant In which stage of plant development is phosphorous most important? Deficiency symptoms are indicated by a red or purplish tinge to stems and foliage. It is stable and nonmobile in the soil so leaching is not a problem.

10 (K) Potassium Potassium Chloride, muriate of potash (KCL) /62 Potassium Sulfate, Sulfate of Potash (K2SO4) Potassium Nitrate Sul-Po-Mag (KNO3) (K2SO4 + MgSO4)

11 Potassium (K) enables the plant to withstand stress such as drought, cold, heat, and disease. Second in use by plant more than _? Formation of Carbohydrates Root growth and wear tolerance Drought and cold tolerance due to development of cell wall, strength. Deficiency symptoms are indicated when the leaves appear dry and scorched on the edges and have irregular yellowing.

12 Fertilizer Ratios Why is it important to understand the fertilizer ratios when comparing analysis? We can better serve our customers by knowing the ratio and what N-P-K provides to the plant. Analysis Ratio :1: : : : 6:1:2

13 For example, a fertilizer contains 4 percent, by weight, nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorous and 2 percent potassium. These can occur in different ratios and combinations, but they all represent the strength or concentration of the fertilizer. So an would be twice as concentrated as a This is important when comparing prices because it would take twice as much of the second fertilizer to equal the same amount of nutrient as the first.

14 Low N-P-K Analysis vs. High N-P-K Analysis assumes 50% SRN (slow release nitrogen/50 lb bag) Analysis Filler per ton/bag / 26 lb none / 2.65 lb.

15 Fertilizer Filler Make Weight

16 THE CHALLENGE Feast or Famine

17 The Feast (Excess Soluble N) like Accelerated top growth Weak root growth Excess clippings Pest susceptibility

18 The Famine (Fertilizer Deficiency) Poor color Weak, thin turf Pest susceptibility

19 The Solution Proper fertilizer ratio(s) Slow release nutrients Proper timing of the application Why are these items important?

20 Challenge and Solution

21 ph and Nutrient Availability The optimum ph range allows for the maximum availability of nutrients for the plant. For most turf the range should be a ph of 6.0 to 7.0 to maximize nutrient update. Soil testing is critical to your customers success!

22 Cool Season Turf Nitrogen Requirements (Per 1,000 ft. 2 ) Kentucky bluegrass Fine fescue Tall fescue Perennial ryegrass 4-5 lb PS 3-4 lb PS 4-6 lb PS 3-4 lb PS

23 Warm Season Turf Nitrogen Requirements (Per 1,000 ft. 2 ) St. Augustine grass Bermuda grass Bahia grass Centipede grass Zoysiagrass 3-4 lb PS 4-8 lb PS 2-3 lb PS 1-2 lb PS 3-6 lb PS

24 Fertilizer Label Legal Document What must be on every bag? Guaranteed Analysis Brand and Grade Name and Address of manufacturer What are Micro Nutrients? What other info can the label contain? Percent WIN, CRSN Source of Nutrients Micro Nutrients FE, MN, MG

25 Terms to Know Complete fertilizer- a fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three principal elements required for plant nutrition. Incomplete fertilizer- incomplete fertilizers contain less than all three of the primary macronutrients. i.e Balanced fertilizer- A fertilizer having equal parts N P K; i.e referred to as a 1:1:1 ratio Combination Fertilizer- Contains Some Macros and then some control product; herbicide, insecticide, or fungicide. Active Ingredient - AI

26 Terms to Know What do you call a fertilizer that has N-P-K all in one granular or prill? (Homogeneous) Post emergent Products applied during the season directly on the growing weed. Fertilizer analysis- The minimum amount of each element in a fertilizer stated on the label. The actual numbers on the fertilizer label. Ratio - The proportion of N-P-K i.e ( 4:1:2 ratio) High Analysis- A fertilizer having 30 percent or more of N-P-K as an ingredient. Weed and Feed - Fertilizer that also contains a post emergent weed control i.e. Trimec, LockUp

27 Reading the fertilizer label The Numbers or Guaranteed analysis % (N) Nitrogen 3% (P) phosphorus 12% (K) Potassium In a 50lb bag Ratio of NPK would be 7:1:4

28 Fertilizer Math Made Simple

29 Determining Coverage / Bag (50 lb Bag) Nutrients 2 = coverage / 1,000 ft. 2 ( ) 24 2 = 12(000) ft lb bag only 1 lb nutrient / 1,000 ft. 2 only

30 Determining Product / 1,000 ft. 2 lb / bag coverage = lb / 1,000 ft 2 50 lb 12(000) = 4.2 lb / 1,000 ft 2 Note: 40 lb bags covert to ton Products with pesticides; your rate is determined by the active ingredient

31 Basic Calculations Application Rates: To achieve a rate of one pound of a nutrient per 1,000 sq. ft. Divide the nutrient percentage into one (1). 25% Nitrogen: 1.25 = 4.0 lb../1,000 sq. ft. Coverage of a 50 lb.. Bag : Assuming the application rate is one pound of nutrient per 1,000 sq. ft. Divide the nutrient percentage by 2 (i.e. Cut number in half) Note: look for the largest number in a analysis to determine your coverage. ex = 12 ex = 12.5

32 How much Fertilizer do I use? So let s determine how much fertilizer to use in a your yard. You will need two key pieces of information: The recommended Rate of Application The total size of the area you are applying fertilizer to. Look at the recommended application rate on the bag. Usually 1 pound of N per 1000 square feet of lawn. The front area is measured at 42 x 60 = 2520 sq. ft. The rear area is 60 x 75 = Our total square footage is 7020.

33 How much Fertilizer do I use? Area x rate (7000 sq. ft. x 1 lb N per 1000 sq. ft.) This gives you 7 lbs of N needed to cover 7000 sq. ft. Now how much of a 50 lb bag do we need to use apply that 7 lbs. of N? Using a bag of , then we would divide the pounds of N needed by the percent of N in the bag: (7 lbs) (.21N) = 33.3 pounds of product needed for 7,000 sq. ft.

34 Review 1. Primary Macronutrients? Fertilizer material that supply nutrients are called? or 3. Complete Fertilizers contain? % by weight of elemental N, available phosphorus (P2O5), and soluble potash (K2O) is a 5. What is make weight? 6. What does PCSCU mean? 7. What important to know about the customer, when selling them your fertilizer program?

35 Abbreviations and Symbols XCU- Polymer coated sulfur coated urea SCU Sulfur coated Urea MOP Potassium Chloride /Muriate of potash PCSCU Polly coated sulfur coated urea SGN- Refers to particle size. Industry rating of median particle size. FE - Symbol for Iron WIN - Water insoluble nitrogen slowly released nitrogen WSN Water soluble nitrogen quick release nitrogen AM All Mineral Straight fertilizer no slow release products Urea- Used in fertilizers as a source of Nitrogen Prill Refers to particle or material

36 Additional Terms to Know Herbicide- a chemical substance for controlling and eradicating plants, especially weeds or other unwanted species; a weed-killer. Insecticide- a chemical substance for controlling or suppressing insect activity. Fungicide- a chemical substance used to correct or inhibit the growth of fungi. Pre- emergent Products used at the begging of the season that prevent weed seeds from germinating.

37 Pounds of Element for advanced class students Determined by multiplying the percentage of nutrient by the total pounds of fertilizer. Example 50 lbs Pounds N = 50 lbs x 21% = 10.5 lbs Pounds P = 50 lbs x 3% = 1.5 lbs Pounds K = 50 lbs x 12% = 6 lbs Only N is on an actual element basis P and K are expressed on an oxide basis which means they are contained in the phosphate and potash compounds. Phosphate has 44% p Potash 83% k

38 Determining Available P and K 1.5 lbs Phosphorus x.44 =.66 lbs of P 6 lbs Potassium x.83 = 4.98 lbs of K Right now your thinking do I need to know this? The answer is Yes! Knowing how to read the label of fertilizer, pesticides and other turf products is only going to tell your customers your not just a counter guy or salesman. It tells them you know the products you sell.

39 Quiz 1. Primary Macronutrients, what are they called? Fertilizer material that supply nutrients are called? or 3. Complete Fertilizers contain? What does SRN mean? 5. What is important to know about the customer, when selling them your program? 6. Where can you find spreader settings for fertilizers? On the bag itself and?

40 Quiz - answers 1. Primary Macronutrients, what are they called? - - Nitrogen Phosphorus-Potassium or N-P-K 2. Fertilizer material that supply nutrients are called? or Primary elements/primary nutrients/ Macro Nutrients 3. Complete Fertilizers contain? - - Complete fertilizer- a fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three principal elements required for plant nutrition, N-P-K 4. What does SRN mean? Slow Release Nitrogen can be in many forms, such as XCU, MESA, or SCU 5. What is important to know about the customer, when selling them your program? What do they expect from these applications, short term, and long term results. What kind of program do they currently use and do they like it? Are they open to newer technologies, organics, etc. 6. Where can you find spreader settings for fertilizers? On the bag itself and? On the label &Online at the manufactuers web site Juniper Tree Group, LLC