Glossary

Terms and Definitions

Fertilizer & Applications | Plant Nutrition | Soil & Roots | Sustainability

Fertilizer & Fertilizer Applications

2-STAGETwo (2) longevities of NPK controlled release fertilizers blended into one product. Consists of a short term Front Charge NPK (T-40, T-70, or T-100 Day) blended with a long term NPK longevity fertilizer. 2 stage products provide a moderate kick combined with season long fertility.

3-STAGEThree (3) longevities of NPK controlled release fertilizers blended into one product. It consists of a short term Front Charge (T-40, T-70, or T-100 Day) with a Mid Term and Long Term NPK longevity fertilizers. 3 stage products provide a more fertilizer up-front and in the middle of the crop cycle when quick crop turns are desired.

ACCELLERATELiquid chelated micro elements which may be used as a drench or foliar spray to prevent or quickly correct micro-nutrient deficiencies.

CHELATE A special form of the inorganic nutrients Fe, Mg, Mn, etc. in which an organic molecule binds with the nutrient making the nutrient more available to the plant either by reducing the impact of soil pH on nutrient availability or by allowing for greater absorption through the leaf surface. The best chelated nutrients for foliar absorption are those using Mannitol. Glucoheptanates may be used in the soil or on the foliage. EDTA chelates are best absorbed by the roots.

CONTROLLED RELEASE FERTILIZERA Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF) is a solid form fertilizer, usually in powder or small granules that are either sprinkled on top of the soil (top dressed) or dug into the soil before planting. The outer layer is insoluble but permeable so nutrients are released slowly in a controlled way over a set period. These fertilizers control the release of nutrient availability by coating a fertilizer substrate with a semi-permeable polymer coating. The polymer coating controls the entry of water into the prill, slowly dissolving the fertilizer nutrients. The fertilizer solution within the prill is then released at a gradual rate through the polymer coating. Most CRF control the rate of water movement by varying the thickness of the coating, Nutricote controls the rate of water movement by varying the amount of chemical release agent mixed into the polymer coating.

EC (ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY) The ability of a solution to conduct electricity; useful in judging the concentration of fertilizer salts in a soil solution. The higher the fertilizer salt concentration the higher the EC reading.

FLORIKAN BLENDA Florikan fertilizer which contains both controlled release fertilizer components as well as uncoated granular fertilizer. It provides a dependable level of crop safety and predictable performance.

GRANULAR FERTILIZERUncoated fertilizers that contain minimal to no slow release fertilizer or polymer coated nutrients. These nutrient sources are typically limited to 2-4 months in duration. A percent of Urea Nitrogen may be present in these products.

HOMOGENOUSWhen describing fertilizer, each prill of fertilizer contains the same nutrients as listed in the Guaranteed Analysis. When used to describe Nutricote, it also describes the similarly of particle size, coating thickness (regardless of release type) and release characteristics of each individual prill.

MEG-IRON VGranular micro-nutrient mix of Magnesium, Iron, Manganese, Sulfur, Calcium, Copper and Zinc.

MICRO-NUTRIENTSNutrients essential for optimum plant growth, but required in very small quantities. Fe, Mn, S, Cu, Zn, Mo and Boron are examples of micro-nutrients most commonly found in fertilizers. Think of them as vitamins for plants. Without all vitamins or micro-nutrients, humans and plants are not their healthiest.

MULTI-STAGEMore than three (3) NPK controlled release fertilizer longevities blended together into one product.

N-P-KThe order of the Macro nutrients listed as the analysis of compound fertilizer. In 18-6-8, the N= Nitrogen, P= Phosphorous, K= Potassium.

Nutricote® Homogenous compound fertilizers which contain N, P and K nutrients or N, P, K and micro-nutrients. The homogenous fertilizer substrate is coated with a proprietary polyolefin resin which controls the entry of water into the prill and the release of the fertilizer solution. The proprietary coating precisely controls the nutrient release so such that the same analysis is available in many different release longevities (designated as Type for Nutricote)

NUTRICOTE® NPK Nutricote fertilizers which contain only N-P-K nutrients, no micro-nutrients. The release characteristics of Nutricote NPK fertilizers are the same as Nutricote Total fertilizers. 14-14-14 and 20-7-10 are the base Nutricote NPK fertilizers. Nutricote NPK fertilizers are available in many different release Types.

NUTRICOTE® TOTAL Nutricote fertilizers which contain N-P-K nutrients and micro-nutrients. The release characteristics of Nutricote Total fertilizers are the same as Nutricote NPK fertilizers. 13-13-13 and 18-6-8 are the base Nutricote NPK fertilizers.. Also available as blends of 13-13-13 and 18-6-8 and in 2-Stage, 3-Stage and Multi-Stage blends.

NUTRICOTEDRefers to fertilizers which do not provide all three NPK nutrients or even N or P or K nutrients but are coated with Nutricote’s® proprietary polyolefin coating. These Nutricoted® nutrients are available in many different release Types.

POLYMER COATED FERTILIZERRefers to fertilizers which do not provide all three NPK nutrients or even N or P or K nutrients but are coated with Nutricote’s® proprietary polyolefin coating. These Nutricoted® nutrients are available in many different release Types.

RELEASE TYPEWhen used to describe polymer coated fertilizer, indicates the number of days required for 80% of the contained nitrogen to release when the product is held at a constant temperature of 77° F.

SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZER A fertilizer that releases its nutrients gradually, over a period of time.) are fertilizers which provide nutrients gradually over time. Some are slowly water soluble nutrient sources (IBDU™or®), some require microbial activity or heat (methyleneureas) and some are organic nutrient sources which require microbial activity to make nutrients available.

STAGED NUTRIENT RELEASE (SNR)A patented blending process in which individual nutrients are released at different times and rates by using controlled release fertilizers of different nutrient sources and varying longevitites. The primary concept is provide P early to promote root development, N later to promote vegetative growth and K later to promote flowering and stress hardiness. Award-winning technology of blending a controlled release fertilizer component with other polymer coated single N-P-K components which create varied speeds of release. SNR technology creates a finished product which releases single nutrients such as N-P-K nutrients at different stages of a crop cycle based on the plants requirements. Learn More

DIBBLE Fertilizer is placed directly under the liner root ball, or a hole is punched in the soil and the fertilizer is placed at the bottom of the hole. The higher the rate, the more holes per container should be made to spread out the fertilizer to minimize root burn. An advantage is that fertilizer stays in place even if a plant tips over.

INCORPORATIONFertilizer is mixed or blended into the potting soil along with any other amendments. Fertilizer is evenly distributed within the media. An advantage is that fertilizer stays in place even if the plant tips over and plants may root out quicker as nutrients are available in the entire root zone.

SPRENCHTypically used when applying liquid nutritional amendments by using a high volume, low pressure spray which is applied to the plant foliage and soil surface, placing nutrients on the foliage for absorption by the leaf and in the soil for absorption by the roots.

SUB SURFACE TOP-DRESSFertilizer is placed a few inches below the soil surface during pot up. The fertilizer is then covered with soil so that the fertilizer is covered by soil. An Advantage is that fertilizer stays in place even if a plant tips over. Care should be taken to spread fertilizer evenly around the liner to encourage proper roots development.

TOP-DRESSFertilizer is placed directly on top of the soil surface. Care should be taken to spread fertilizer evenly around the liner to encourage proper root development.

Fertilizer & Applications | Plant Nutrition | Soil & Roots | Sustainability

Plant Nutrition

NITROGEN (N) Nutrient required to produce leaf formation. Primarily
responsible for vegetative plant growth and height as well as leaf formation.

NITROGEN NITRATE (NO3) Nitrate N is a readily available form of Nitrogen
which the plant roots can readily use.

NITROGEN AMMONIACAL (NH4) Ammoniacal N is the form of Nitrogen
most toxic to plant roots. Too rapid a breakdown of urea can result in
excessive levels of ammonia present in the soil which can burn roots.

NITROGEN UREA Base form of Nitrogen unavailable for plant use in
the root system. Urea nitrogen requires break down by heat and microbiological
activity to convert urea to ammoniacal nitrogen then finally to
nitrate which the plant can then metabolize.

PHOSPHATE (P) Nutrient required primarily for root development. Also
known as Phosphorous, P is not a very mobile element and is needed at
early stages of plant growth.

PHOSPHOROUS The second macro nutrient found in a fertilizer label.
Phosphorous is not needed in high levels but is needed at all times by
plants. Instrumental in the development of roots.

POTASSIUM (K) The third macro nutrient found in a fertilizer label.
Potassium is used within plants to improve the ability to handle stress,
improve flower bud formation and retention. In the soil the ratio of N to K
can influence flower formation by creating an imbalance of the availability
of N to the plant, thus causing the plant to switch from vegetative growth
to reproductive growth (flower formation).

SECONDARY NUTRIENTS Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur are often
described as secondary nutrients. They are not needed by plants at the
quantity of N, P and K, but they are needed in greater amounts than the micro
elements, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, etc. Calcium is critical for cell wall construction
and needed for new root tip formation, strong stems and thick leaves.
Magnesium is used to make Chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves.

Fertilizer & Applications | Plant Nutrition | Soil & Roots | Sustainability

Soil & Roots

HYDROPHOBICWhen used to describe soil, applies to the condition in which soil or soilless media do not readily absorb water but rather repel the water. “Channels” of wet soil occur through which water moves and are surrounded by dry soil. Plants do not grow well in these soils.

ROOT HAIRFine extensions of root cells found at the tip of roots, the root hairs enlarge and extend the water absorbing and nutrient absorbing surface. Root hairs are sensitive to extremes of temperature (hot and cold), water (wet or dry) and of fertilizer (high salts). Symptoms of damage to root hairs may be exhibited as wilting or the chlorosis of leaves even though sufficient water and nutrients are present in the soil. With out healthy root hairs the roots may not be able to absorb enough water or nutrients to support proper plant growth.

SURFACTANTChemicals, natural and man made, which reduce water tension (a condition in which water molecules bind to each other to form an elastic surface, often seen when small drops of water bounce along the surface of a puddle). The removal of this water tension by a surfactant allows water to penetrate soil more evenly and for sprays to more fully cover the surface of a leaf providing better chemical coverage.

Fertilizer & Applications | Plant Nutrition | Soil & Roots | Sustainability

Sustainability

BENEFICIALA living organism that can help to control pest populations. Beneficial’s are not harmful ever to the crop.

BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES)Growing practices which reduce or limit the impact on the environment and conserve our natural resources.

BIORATIONALBiorational pesticides are a distinct group, inherently different from conventional pesticides. They are comprised of two major categories: the biochemical pest control agents (e.g. pheromones, hormones, natural plant growth regulators and enzymes) and the microbial pest control agents (e.g. microorganisms). Pesticides to be included in these categories must be naturally occurring, or if man synthesizes the chemical, then it must be structurally identical to a naturally occurring chemical.

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)A pest control method that emphasizes the reduced use of chemical pesticides. This is accomplished by increasing the scouting of crops (visual inspection for pests), rotating the classes of pesticides used to reduce the build up of resistant pest populations, the use of biorational pesticides in the rotation and/or the use of beneficial pest controls in conjunction with the above.

RUN-OFFIn horticulture, refers to the water that leaves the property and affects land and water systems off site. Often it refers to nitrogen or phosphorous run-off that can negatively affects ponds, rivers and coastal waters.