Basics of Fertilizers

Inorganic & organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, slow-release fertilizers, dosage calculations

What you'll learn
Fertilizers and their use
Requirements
Secondary school level science
Description
This is an introductory level course that that covers the entire range of products that improve fertility of the soil, in a simple and concise way. This course includes nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic fertilizers, the secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium and sulfur), all of the micronutrients, advanced fertilizer materials (slow-release, controlled-release and smart fertilizers), organic fertilizers (including biofertilizers) and calculating fertilizer dosages. For each type of nutrient there is a description of the different products available, an outline of their manufacture, important properties, application methods and what causes fertilizer losses. Environmental issues caused by fertilizers are also discussed briefly. Newer types of fertilizers that can reduce environmental impacts are described. This course also discusses various categories of organic fertilizers that include vermicompost, biofertilizers and biostimulants. The last topic examines how to calculate fertilizer doses; methods for calculations for straight fertilizers and mixed or complex fertilizers are detailed together with generic formulae that can be used for any situation.

Who this course is for:
Students of agriculture, experimental plant scientists, farmers, those associated with fertilizer industry but are not wholly familiar with the subject, students looking for a career in agricultural sciences