Fertilization and Its Importance in Agricultural Production
With the increase in the global population, the demand for food also rises, necessitating a corresponding increase in agricultural production. Since it is not possible to expand agricultural land, it becomes essential to increase the yield per unit area. To achieve higher yield per unit area, the first condition is that the essential nutrients in the soil must be suitable and sufficient for plant growth.
Soils contain many different types of minerals. However, their quantities may not always be sufficient. Particularly in soils used for crop production, the nutrient content may become depleted over time. To obtain adequate and quality yields, it is necessary to replenish the nutrients that have been depleted.
Fertilization refers to the process of adding essential nutrients to the soil or directly to plants, and all compounds that contain one or more types of nutrients used for fertilization are called fertilizers.
Types of Fertilizers According to Their Sources
Fertilizers can be categorized into two groups based on their sources:
- Organic-based fertilizers
- Inorganic-based fertilizers
Organic-Based Fertilizers
Organic fertilizers are organic compounds produced through photosynthesis. These include manure, green manure, bone meal, humic acid, and compost. Manure includes the excrement of barn and poultry animals, worm castings, and other animal-derived components.
In green manuring, plants with a high green biomass (usually legumes) are used. Compost fertilizers are made from partially decomposed agricultural waste. Organic-based fertilizers help improve all the properties of the soil, making it more suitable for plant cultivation. Since the primary nutrients (especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are generally present in low concentrations in organic fertilizers, they must be applied in large quantities per unit area.
Inorganic-Based Fertilizers
Commercial fertilizers, chemical fertilizers, or mineral fertilizers are produced through chemical processes. They contain one or more nutrients in higher concentrations compared to organic-based fertilizers.
- Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P₂O₅), Potassium (K₂O), Sulfur (S), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg) are essential nutrients that are abundant in soil and plants.
- Micronutrients: Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Molybdenum (Mo), Boron (B), Chlorine (Cl), Cobalt (Co), Sodium (Na), Vanadium (V), and Selenium (Se) are found in very small amounts in soil and plants but are just as important for plant development as macronutrients.
Fertilization mainly focuses on the three key macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In commercial fertilizers, these nutrients are generally listed in the order of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅), and potassium (K₂O). For example, if a fertilizer bag lists 20-20-10, it means that the fertilizer contains 20% nitrogen (N), 20% phosphorus (P₂O₅), and 10% potassium (K₂O).
Benefits of Fertilization
Through fertilization:
- The soil structure is improved (especially with organic fertilizers), resulting in higher yields per unit area.
- The quality of the crops is improved.
- Soil fertility is enhanced through microbial activity.
- A better growth environment for plants is created.
- Nutrients that have been lost from the soil through various processes are returned.
- The sustainability of soil fertility and yield is ensured.
For effective fertilization, the correct amount of plant nutrients in the soil must be accurately determined. It is important to apply the recommended fertilizers at the right time, in the correct amount, and in the appropriate form. This prevents both over-fertilization, which could cause toxicity to plants, and under-fertilization, which could lead to nutrient deficiencies.
In general, the timing of fertilization depends on factors such as climate conditions, soil conditions, the type of plant, and the type of fertilizer being used. Fertilizers are applied to the fields in various ways:
- Broadcasting fertilizer onto the soil surface.
- Applying fertilizer with seeds into the seedbed.
- Applying fertilizer in a separate band from the seeds.
- Applying liquid fertilizer that is dissolved in water.
Fertilization in Atlantis Center Pivot and Linear Irrigation Systems
At Atlantis, we apply liquid fertilizer dissolved in water during irrigation using dosing pumps in our center pivot and linear irrigation systems. This allows us to meet the plants’ nutritional needs throughout their growth while ensuring environmentally friendly and conscious fertilization practices. The amount of water and fertilizer to be applied, as well as the duration of application, are predetermined, ensuring a balanced and efficient distribution.
This method not only avoids unnecessary pesticide and fertilizer applications but also ensures a uniform distribution of nutrients. It is a highly cost-effective method in terms of time, labor, and fuel savings. Furthermore, this approach allows farmers to achieve higher yields with less fertilizer.