RHS Level 2 R2102 Fertilisers Flashcards
Plant nutrition and the root environment
Identify the characteristics of organic fertilizers.
Derived from living organisms.
Can be plant based e.g seaweed
Can be animal based e.g. fish, blood and bone, poultry pellets
Identify the characteristics of Inorganic fertilizers.
Artificially made.
From non living material
Can be formulated Straight or Compound.
State what is meant by straight and compound fertilisers with examples.
Straight supplies only one major nutrient e.g. nitrogen in ammonium nitrate.
Compound contains 2 or more major nutrients. E.g. growmore 7:7:7
State what is meant by soluble and slow release fertilisers with examples.
Soluble dissolves readily in water and are rapidly taken up by plants e.g. liquid seaweed feed.
Slow release are slightly soluble, may need micro organisms to break them down and release nutrients. E.g. grow sure slow release plant feed.
State what is meant by controlled fertilisers with examples.
Controlled fertiliser has a resin coat which allows release of the contents at a rate dependant on moisture and temperature. E.g. Miracle-Gro All Purpose Continuous Release Plant food
What is meant by base dressing fertiliser, how is it used?
Base dressing s are where fertilisers are added to and incorporated in a growing medium prior to planting.
Used to supply nutrients over a long period so are Compound and slow release.
What is meant by top dressing fertiliser, how is it used?
Top dressing is where fertilisers are added to the surface of the soil, possibly working in gently.
Used to maintain nutrient levels in permanent/long term plantings. Rely on top irrigation to deliver nutrients to the roots.
Can be Quick or Slow release.
What is meant by liquid feed fertiliser, how is it used?
Liquid feed is added to the surface of the soil and rely on water to deliver nutrients to the roots.
Quick delivery.
Useful for houseplants.
What is meant by foliar feed fertiliser, how is it used?
Foliar feed is used to correct imbalances/deficiencies rapidly.
Applied to foliage.
Can be straight or Compound
Benefits and limitations of organic fertilizers?
Often waste products. Usually contain good range of nutrients and trace elements. Sometimes content is variable. Contamination possible. Availability can fluctuate.
Benefits and limitations of Inorganic fertilizers?
They can be cheap. Can be made easy to apply. Specialist fertilisers are possible. Quick release fertilisers can cause pollution problems. Lot of energy used in manufacturing. Trace elements are frequently excluded.
