Nutrient Source Specifics
Looking for brief information about the production, agricultural use, management practices, and chemical properties of common fertilizer materials? Nutrient Source Specifics are one-page fact sheets highlighting various fertilizers and nutrient sources. Written by IPNI scientific staff, these items are primarily for educational use by a non-technical audience. Consult with a local expert regarding specific recommendations on nutrient use. This series is also available in Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Calcium Carbonate (Limestone)
NSS-18 Calcium Carbonate (Limestone) - Calcium carbonate, the chief component of limestone, is a widely used amendment to neutralize soil acidity and to supply calcium (Ca) for plant nutrition. The term “lime” can refer to several products, but for agricultural use it generally refers to ground limestone.
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Calcium Nitrate
NSS-27 Calcium nitrate is a highly soluble source of two plant nutrients. Its high solubility makes it popular for supplying an immediately available source of nitrate and calcium directly to soil, through irrigation water, or with foliar applications.
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Coated Fertilizer
NSS-20 Coated Fertilizer - A variety of coatings have been applied to fertilizer particles to control their solubility in soil. Controlling the rate of nutrient release can offer multiple environmental, economic, and yield benefits.
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Compound Fertilizer
NSS-4 Compound Fertilizer - Many soils require the addition of several essential nutrients to alleviate plant deficiencies. Farmers may have the option of selecting a combination of single-nutrient fertilizers or using a fertilizer that has several nutrients combined into each particle. These combination (compound or complex) fertilizers can offer advantages of convenience in the field, economic savings, and ease in meeting crop nutritional needs.
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