COMPATIBILITY

MIXTURES.

OF

FERTILIZER

Mixed fertilizer
Mixed fertilizer is one, which contains two or more major plant nutrients, namely N, P,
and K in suitable proportion by physical mixing.

Points to be noted for preparing fertilizer mixture

Uneven mixing of incompatible fertilizer leads to gaseous loss of nutrients, conversion of
soluble to insoluble form or caking.
Ammonium fertilizers and organic manures should not be mixed with lime.
Urea should not be mixed with super phosphateCalcium cynamide, basic slag, quicklime,
slaked lime should not be mixed with fertilizer containing N in ammonium form.
Super phosphate should not be mixed with lime or calcium carbonate or wood ashes;
Sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate; Ammonium sulphate nitrate

The possible effects of mixing incompatible chemicals are many and include
Reduced effectiveness of one or both compounds.
Precipitate in the tank, clogging screens and nozzles in the sprayer.
Plant phytotoxicity, stunting or reducing seed germination.
Excessive residues.
Excessive runoff

Interaction among Fertilizers (Compatibility)

When preparing fertilizer solutions for nutrigation , each component solubility must be
considered in order to avoid possible precipitate .

The following
sedimentations.

mixtures

reduce

solubility

and

form

the

following

Calcium nitrate with sulfates = formation of CaSO4 precipitates ( gypsum).

Ca(NO3)2 +(NH4)2SO4 CaSO4
Calcium nitrate with phosphates = precipitation and formation of Ca phosphate.
Ca(NO3)2 +NH4H2PO4 CaHPO4
Magnesium with di or mono ammonium phosphate =precipitation of Mg phosphate.
Mg(NO3)2 + NH4H2PO4 MgHPO4
Ammonium sulfate with KCl or KNO3 = formation of K2SO4
(NH4)2SO4+KCl or KNO3 K2SO4
Phosphorus with Iron = formation of iron phosphate.

We generally consider these combination compatible if

1)No problem arise, when mixing the materials,such as settling or foaming.
2)The combination displays no visual toxic effect on the turfgrass and
3)The effect of the various components is the same as if they were applied alone.

Various forms of imcompatibility

1)Physical incompatibility
2)chemical incompatibility
3)placement incompatibility
4) Phytotoxicity

Physical incompatibility
This results when two or more materials form an unstable mixture.
The result might be a precipitate,with one or more of the materials salting out within the
spray tank.

chemical incompatibility
This is the result of one or more of the materials undergoing a chemical change when
placed in a combination.
A new product may be formed,or one or more of the materials may become dissociated.
As an end result an individual of the mixture may lose total or partial efficiency.

Placement incompatibility
This is one serious disadvantages to liquid programs and results when two or more
materials are used in a combination which must reach different areas with in the turfgrass
microenvironment.

Phytotoxicity.
Many times materials are used which alone do not have phytotoxic effects.
However, when they are placed in combinations with other materials their phytotoxicity
is greatly increased.
Often when two or more materials are placed in combination their phytotoxic effects are
synergistic.
And the net result is worse than if the two materials were applied separately.

Several other factors in addition to formulation may also influence compatibility of various
mixtures.
(1) Tank pH.
(2)Improper mixing

(3) Weather conditions

Tank pH
Compatibility problems, both physical and chemical, will arise
whenever the solution pH reaches extremes.
A well known example is the use of the
organophosphate insecticides

Improper mixing
1. Compatibility problems will often arise from improper mixing procedures.
2. Concentrated materials should never be mixed.
3. adding water to the tank, starting the agitation system, and then adding the various
fertilizer and pesticide materials separately.
4. Wettable The proper procedure involves first powders should be added before the
emulsifiable concentrates.

Weather conditions

Weather conditions are another factor which might affect incompatibility.

Many combinations are perfectly safe at relatively cool temperatures, however, they
become quite phytotoxic as the temperature rises.
An example is the use of moderate levels of water-soluble nitrogen.

COMPATIBILITY OF FERTILIZER MIXTURES.

Submitted by

A.Abirami
BSA-09-602

Contribution of small ruminants in Rural Economy of India

Submitted by

A.Abirami
BSA-09-602