TYPES OF FERTILIZERS
Fertilization practices are responsible for around 50% of crop productivity gains, thus needing to be made as efficiently as possible. However, in order to achieve this efficiency, it is necessary that agents working in agriculture apply basic concepts that involve the efficiency of agricultural fertilizers, in order to maximize the returns on investments through the use of these inputs. What is observed, however, is that these basic concepts are often not applied, often leading to extremely low levels of efficiency of the fertilizers applied.
The concept of efficient use of fertilizer most widespread among technicians is one that reflects the increase in production per unit of applied nutrient. Low fertilizer efficiency means low productivity and low profits. The efficient use of fertilizers involves knowledge on the part of technicians in areas such as mineral plant nutrition, soil chemistry, soil fertility, fertilizer technology, plant morphology, physics, genesis, morphology and soil classification, agricultural mechanics and agricultural economics . In addition, the efficient use of these inputs requires a correct diagnosis of possible soil fertility and plant nutrition problems before fertilization. In this context, the use of diagnostic tools (soil analysis, leaf analysis, assessment of deficiency symptoms) is the first step in determining the intelligent use of fertilizers and agricultural correctives.
In this way, knowledge of the forms of action, application and absorption pathways becomes essential in maximizing the results of the application of fertilizers.
José Luis da Silva Nunes
Eng. Agrº, Dr. in Phytotechnics