Nutrition and fertilizers
Agrochemical soil analysis
A comprehensive laboratory examination of soil samples to determine the concentration of nutrients, pH levels, and other vital fertility indicators.
Agronomy knowledge
Agronomist dictionary
Short and clear definitions of agronomic terms: soil cultivation, sowing, nutrition, plant protection, machinery, and crop storage.
All topics535
Soil and tillage55
Sowing and varieties55
Nutrition and fertilizers55
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Terms in section: 55
A
Nutrition and fertilizers
Ammonification
The biological process by which microorganisms decompose organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia, making nitrogen available for plant uptake.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Ammonium nitrate
Ammonium nitrate is a highly effective nitrogen mineral fertilizer in granular form containing nitrogen in both ammonium and nitrate forms.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Available forms of nutrients
These are the portions of soil nutrients that are readily soluble in the soil solution and can be easily absorbed by plant roots during the growing season.
B
Nutrition and fertilizers
Basal application
This is the application of fertilizers to the soil before sowing or planting to build up a nutrient reserve for the entire growing season.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Bioavailability
Bioavailability is the proportion of a nutrient or chemical that is absorbed by a plant and is available for physiological utilization.
C
Nutrition and fertilizers
Cation Exchange
A chemical process where soil particles hold and release positively charged nutrient ions, making them available for plant uptake.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Chelation
A chemical process where metal ions are bound to organic molecules, making them more stable and easily absorbable by plants.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Chlorosis
A condition in plants where leaves turn yellow due to a lack of chlorophyll, impairing their ability to photosynthesize effectively.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Conversion factor for active ingredient
A multiplier used to determine the actual amount of a chemical component within a formulated fertilizer or pesticide product based on its concentration percenta...
Nutrition and fertilizers
Corrective fertilization
The application of fertilizers specifically intended to address an identified nutrient deficiency in crops during their active growth phase.
D
Nutrition and fertilizers
Denitrification
A microbial process in the soil that reduces nitrates or nitrites into gaseous nitrogen, resulting in a loss of available plant nutrients.
F
Nutrition and fertilizers
Fertigation
The process of applying water-soluble fertilizers through an irrigation system, usually via drip irrigation.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Fertilizer availability
This is the capacity of plants to absorb and utilize nutrients supplied by fertilizers for their biological processes and optimal development.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Fertilizer system
A scientifically grounded complex of measures for the application of organic and mineral fertilizers to maintain soil fertility and ensure crop productivity.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Foliar feeding
A technique of applying fertilizers directly to the leaves of plants through liquid sprays for rapid nutrient absorption.
I
Nutrition and fertilizers
Ion antagonism
A phenomenon where the high concentration of one nutrient prevents the uptake or utilization of another due to competition for transport channels or chemical in...
Nutrition and fertilizers
Ion synergism
This is a phenomenon where the presence of certain nutrient elements enhances the uptake and assimilation of each other by the plant's root system.
L
Nutrition and fertilizers
Land reclamation
Land reclamation is the process of improving land productivity by modifying its physical, chemical, or biological properties to optimize conditions for agricult...
Nutrition and fertilizers
Layer-by-layer soil analysis
A method of soil testing where samples are collected from distinct depths separately to assess the vertical variation of chemical properties and nutrients withi...
Nutrition and fertilizers
Leaf analysis
A diagnostic method used to determine the nutrient status of plants by chemically analyzing their leaf tissue.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Liming
An agricultural practice of applying calcium-rich materials to soil to neutralize acidity and enhance overall soil fertility.
M
Nutrition and fertilizers
Macronutrients
These are chemical elements required by plants in relatively large quantities to support growth, metabolic processes, and overall productivity.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Microbiological fertilizers
Agricultural products containing live beneficial microorganisms that enhance plant nutrient uptake and suppress soil-borne pathogens.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Microgranules
Microgranules are a formulation of fertilizers or pesticides in the form of small particles, 0.5 to 2 mm in diameter, designed for precise, localized applicatio...
Nutrition and fertilizers
Micronutrients
Micronutrients are essential chemical elements, such as boron, zinc, and iron, required by plants in small quantities for healthy growth and physiological devel...
Nutrition and fertilizers
Mineral nitrogen
Mineral nitrogen refers to the inorganic forms of nitrogen, primarily ammonium and nitrate, that are readily available for plant uptake from the soil.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Mineralization
The process by which soil microorganisms decompose organic matter into simple mineral forms that can be absorbed by plants.
N
Nutrition and fertilizers
Nitrification
The biological process of oxidizing ammonia nitrogen by soil bacteria into nitrate, which is the form most easily absorbed by plants.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Nitrogen fixation
The process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonia or related nitrogenous compounds that plants can use.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Nitrogen immobilization
The process by which soil microorganisms absorb mineral nitrogen, temporarily making it unavailable for uptake by crop plants.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Nitrogen top dressing
Nitrogen top dressing is the application of nitrogen fertilizers during the growing season to promote healthy vegetative growth and increase crop yields.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Microorganisms capable of transforming atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can easily absorb and use for growth.
Nutrition and fertilizers
NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium)
Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium — the main elements of mineral nutrition.
Nutrition and fertilizers
NPK complex
This is a balanced combination of the three primary macronutrients — nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — essential for optimal plant growth and crop yield.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Nutrient balance
This is the net difference between the amount of nutrients applied to the soil through fertilizers and the amount removed from the field by crop harvest.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Nutrient deficiency
A condition in which a plant does not receive sufficient essential nutrients from the soil or fertilizers to support its healthy growth and development.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Nutrient uptake
This is the amount of mineral nutrients that crops absorb from the soil and fertilizers to produce their total biomass and yield.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Nutrient Use Efficiency
This is a measure of the proportion of nutrients actually taken up by the plant from applied fertilizers relative to the total amount applied.
O
Nutrition and fertilizers
Organic fertilizers
These are naturally occurring materials that provide essential nutrients to plants while improving soil structure and promoting beneficial microbial activity.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Osmotic stress
A condition where plants cannot absorb sufficient water due to high salt concentrations in the soil or drought, leading to wilting and stunted growth.
P
Nutrition and fertilizers
Phosphorus fixation
The process by which soil minerals convert available phosphorus from fertilizers into insoluble forms that are inaccessible to plant roots.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Plant growth retardants
Plant growth retardants are chemical substances used to suppress stem elongation, resulting in shorter, sturdier, and more resilient plants.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Potassium fixation
The process where potassium ions are trapped within the lattice structure of clay minerals, rendering them unavailable for plant uptake.
R
Nutrition and fertilizers
Root exudates
These are organic compounds released by plant roots into the soil, creating a nutrient-rich environment for beneficial soil microorganisms.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Root feeding
This is a method of applying fertilizers directly into the soil within the reach of a plant's root system.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Root nutrition
Root nutrition is the process by which plants absorb water and essential mineral nutrients from the soil through their root system.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Root system
The entire network of roots belonging to a single plant, responsible for anchoring the plant in the soil and absorbing water and essential nutrients.
S
Nutrition and fertilizers
Slow-release fertilizers
These are fertilizers with a controlled nutrient release mechanism that provide plants with essential nutrients over an extended period.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Soil adsorbing complex
A set of mineral and organic soil particles capable of retaining and exchanging ions of nutrients in the soil solution.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Soil solution concentration
This is the level of mineral salts dissolved in soil moisture, which dictates the ability of plant roots to absorb water and essential nutrients.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Split application
A crop management practice of applying the total fertilizer requirement in several smaller doses over the growing season rather than in a single application.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Starter fertilizer
This is the application of mineral fertilizers directly into the seed furrow or rows during sowing to provide essential nutrients to young seedlings.
Nutrition and fertilizers
Sulfate fertilizers
A group of mineral fertilizers providing sulfur in a plant-available sulfate form, essential for protein synthesis and plant metabolism.
V
Nutrition and fertilizers
Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a processed natural mineral that serves as a lightweight soil conditioner, effectively enhancing moisture retention, aeration, and nutrient avail...