Fertilizer (PA Technology)

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Last modified by Axel Heinemann on 2014-12-15. This is a wiki so please feel free to update information by clicking on "Edit with form". | Printable version

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Name of technology example:		Type
Fertilizer		☐ Energy Efficiency ☐ Renewable Energy ☑ Alternative Methodology

Description	Fertilizer is any organic or inorganic material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that is added to soil to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Conservative estimates report 30 to 50% of crop yields are attributed to natural or synthetic commercial fertilizer. Global market value is likely to rise to more than US$185 billion until 2019. The European fertilizer market will grow to earn revenues of approx. €15.3 billion in 2018. Mined inorganic fertilizers have been used for many centuries, whereas chemically synthesized inorganic fertilizers were only widely developed during the industrial revolution. Increased understanding and use of fertilizers were important parts of the pre-industrial British Agricultural Revolution and the industrial Green Revolution of the 20th century. Inorganic fertilizer use has also significantly supported global population growth — it has been estimated that almost half the people on the Earth are currently fed as a result of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use. Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions: six macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S); eight micronutrients: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) (1987). The macronutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant tissue in quantities from 0.15% to 6.0% on a dry matter (0% moisture) basis (DM). Micronutrients are consumed in smaller quantities and are present in plant tissue on the order of parts per million (ppm), ranging from 0.15 to 400 ppm DM, or less than 0.04% DM. Only three other structural elements are required by all plants: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These nutrients are supplied by water (through rainfall or irrigation) and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In the USA in 2004, 317 billion cubic feet of natural gas were consumed in the industrial production of ammonia, less than 1.5% of total U.S. annual consumption of natural gas. A 2002 report suggested that the production of ammonia consumes about 5% of global natural gas consumption, which is somewhat under 2% of world energy production. Ammonia is produced from natural gas and air. The cost of natural gas makes up about 90% of the cost of producing ammonia. The increase in price of natural gases over the past decade, along with other factors such as increasing demand, have contributed to an increase in fertilizer price. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizer Organic fertilizers are fertilizers derived from animal matter or vegetable matter. (e.g. compost, manure). In contrast, the majority of fertilizers are extracted from minerals (e.g., phosphate rock) or produced industrially (e.g., ammonia). Naturally occurring organic matter
Technology for the Application of	☐ Solar ☑ Biomass ☐ Biofuel ☐ Biogas ☐ Wind ☐ Geo-Thermal ☐ Hydro ☐ Energy Efficiency ☐ Other: /
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps	☐ Mechanization ☐ Efficiency of Operation ☐ Processing ☐ Transportation ☐ Controlled Atmosphere ☐ Controlled Temperature ☐ Mechanical Sorting ☐ Preservation ☑ Other: Cultivation
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities	☐ Grinding ☐ Hauling and conveying ☐ Sorting ☐ Seedbed Preparation ☐ Milling ☐ Tearing ☐ Planting ☐ Washing ☐ Mixing ☐ Pumping ☐ Heating ☐ Drying ☐ Irrigation ☐ Cooling ☐ Animal feeding ☑ Fertilizing ☐ Venting ☐ Animal health and Welfare ☐ Pest Management ☐ Lighting ☐ Packing and branding ☐ Cutting ☐ Sanitation ☐ Other: /
Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups	☑ Cereals ☑ Fruits and vegetables ☑ Nuts and berries ☑ Forage ☑ Dairy products ☐ Meat products ☑ Oil Seeds ☑ Roots and Tubers ☐ Eggs ☑ Pulses ☑ Fiber Crops ☑ Forestry ☑ Sugars ☑ Stimulants ☑ Spices ☐ Other: /
Region & Country of Development	N/A ☐ Africa ☐ South Asia ☐ East Asia & The Pacific ☐ Europe & Central Asia ☐ Latin America & The Caribbean ☐ Middle East & North Africa ☐ North America ☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of Current Deployment	N/A ☐ Africa ☐ South Asia ☐ East Asia & The Pacific ☐ Europe & Central Asia ☐ Latin America & The Caribbean ☐ Middle East & North Africa ☐ North America ☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of Potential Deployment	None ☐ Africa ☐ South Asia ☐ East Asia & The Pacific ☐ Europe & Central Asia ☐ Latin America & The Caribbean ☐ Middle East & North Africa ☐ North America ☐ N/A: /
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Additional information / Comments	No comments.
Internal Reference
Additional Links	https://practicalaction.org/biol-preparation