Hort I:
Obj. 24.03
Demonstrate the application of
various types of fertilizers.
A. General Rules
• Method used should be
practical, effective & cost
efficient.
• Method used affects nutrient
availability for plant use.
• Fertilizer must be dissolved &
reach plant roots.
B. Banding
• Placing a band of
fertilizer about 2” to the
sides & about 2” below
seed depth. Do NOT place
below seeds because
fertilizer will burn roots.
C. Sidedressing
• Placing a band of fertilizer
near the soil surface & to
the sides after seedling
emerge from soil
D. Topdressing
•Mixing fertilizer
uniformly into the top
1-2” of growing media
around the plant
E. Perforating
• Placing fertilizer in 12-18”
holes drilled 18” to 24”
around the canopy drip line of
fruit trees. Cover the holes &
the fertilizer slowly
dissolves.
F. Broadcasting
•Spreading fertilizer
to cover the entire
production area.
G. Fertigation
• Incorporating water-soluble
fertilizer into the irrigation
system of greenhouse &
nursery crops. Concentrated
solutions usually pass thru
proportioners or injectors to
dilute to the correct ratio.
Types of proportioners
• Venturi-type: simple &
inexpensive, less accurate.
Ex. Hozon – depends on
water pressure in the
hose & in the smaller tube
to proportion.
b. Positive displacement: more
expensive, very accurate. Ex.
Commander proportioner &
Smith injectors.
• Physically inject &
mix specific amounts
of concentrated
solution & water.
H. Foliar spraying
• Spraying micronutrients in a
solution directly on plant leaves.
It is used to quickly correct
nutrient deficiencies, but the
fertilizer concentration should
not be too high or leaf
burn will occur.