The benefits of homogeneous fertilizers

Today’s high yields and declining soil nutrient levels require more attention to secondary and micronutrients. Increasing secondary and micronutrient deficiencies may be partly attributed to decreased use of homogeneous fertilizers containing these nutrients in favor of blends not containing these nutrients. Homogeneous, compound fertilizers provide a significant advantage in nutrient availability, especially early in the growing season when plant root systems are small and have not yet thoroughly explored the soil.

What is a homogeneous or ammoniated fertilizer?

Fertilizers supplying multiple nutrients chemically combined into one solid granule. The granules’ size, shape, and density are closely controlled so that each granule has consistent percentages of each nutrient.

What is a blended fertilizer?

A blend is made by mixing two or more fertilizer materials together. Blends commonly combine particles of nitrogen, phosphate, fillers and sometimes small amounts of secondary and micronutrients.

Key differences between blends and homogeneous fertilizers

  • Homogeneous fertilizers contain all nutrients (primary, secondary and micronutrients) in every granule, therefore eliminating segregation that may occur in blends of varying granule size and density, or with inadequate mixing.
  • Homogeneous fertilizers ensure small quantities of micronutrients are uniformly mixed and remain uniformly distributed throughout the fertilizer and across the field. Adequate mixing and uniform distribution can be difficult to attain in blends combining materials of different densities and sizing.
  • Immobile nutrients (such as P, K, Zn, Mn, Cu, and others) move only very short distances from the fertilizer granule over the course of a growing season and must be close to plant roots to be available. The zone of nutrient absorption for immobile nutrients is only soil in close proximity to the root surface – within the range of diffusion for a particular nutrient. If residual soil fertility levels are inadequate, the distribution of fertilizer granules becomes critical for good availability to crop roots. Homogeneous fertilizers supply these nutrients in many more granules per acre, providing greater probability of root contact and nutrient uptake.
  • Plant root systems vary in their architecture. Fibrous root systems of grasses may more thoroughly explore the soil and be more likely to contact sparsely distributed fertilizer granules. Taproot systems with more limited lateral root growth may be more severely impacted by poor fertilizer distribution. Homogeneous fertilizers provide greater distribution of all nutrients, even those in low concentrations.

 

The Rainbow Plant Food difference

Rainbow Plant Food is a homogeneous, granular fertilizer. Precise amounts of primary, secondary and micronutrients are chemically compounded to form a homogeneous mixture. As a result, each granule contains similar amounts of all the ingredients. Granules are uniform in size, shape and weight, so the fertilizer spreads evenly. Every plant across the field receives the necessary nutrients regardless of application method.

The Rainbow Plant Food difference starts with how it’s made – learn more here.

To learn more about Rainbow Plant Food for your farm, contact your local representative or retailer.

Questions or comments? Tweet us @Rainbow_Plant.