There are 16 essential nutrients required for plant growth. While carbon dioxide and oxygen are absorbed from the air, the remaining nutrients must be supplied through fertilizers to support healthy crop development. Based on the nutrient requirements of crops, fertilizers are categorized into three main groups: macronutrients, secondary nutrients, and micronutrients.
Macronutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Common nitrogen fertilizers are urea, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, ammonia, and lime nitrogen. Among these, calcium nitrate serves both as a nitrogen and calcium source. Phosphate fertilizers include superphosphate, triple superphosphate, calcium magnesium phosphate, rock phosphate, steel slag phosphate, defluorinated phosphate, and bone meal. Although these are all phosphorus sources, their usage has declined in recent years. Potash fertilizers mainly consist of potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, salt lake potash, and wood ash potash. Potassium sulfate and chloride are the most commonly used, with many products imported into China. Salt lake potash is produced in Qinghai, while kiln-ash and wood ash potash contain complex components.
Micronutrient fertilizers include boron, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, copper, and iron. Common examples are borax for boron, zinc sulfate for zinc, manganese sulfate for manganese, ammonium molybdate for molybdenum, copper sulfate for copper, and ferrous sulfate or organic iron chelates for iron.
In addition to these, some beneficial elements such as silicon and rare earth elements are also considered in modern agriculture. With ongoing research in agrochemicals, compound fertilizers have become increasingly popular. These fertilizers contain two or more of the primary nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—and can be manufactured using different methods, such as blending or chemical combination.
Common compound fertilizers include diammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate, and potassium nitrate. The nutrient ratios in these fertilizers need to be adjusted according to specific crop and soil conditions for optimal results.
Mixed fertilizers are blends of several simple fertilizers, customized based on crop and soil needs. They are usually made by mechanical mixing and are widely available in the market as specialty fertilizers. Additionally, liquid and foliar fertilizers that contain nutrients, amino acids, and other organic compounds are also gaining popularity due to their effectiveness in improving yield and quality.
As agricultural practices evolve, the use of tailored and high-efficiency fertilizers continues to grow, helping farmers meet the increasing demands of modern farming.
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