What is Fertilizers? Definition, Meaning, Types, Examples 2022
To maintain the fertility of the soil, manures and chemical substances are added to it from outside. The chemical substances added to the soil from outside which help in making the soil fertile are called ‘Fertilizers’.
Classification of Fertilizers: According to the nature of the nutrients (N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorus), K (Potassium), etc.) present in the fertilizers, fertilizers are classified into the following types:
Nitrogenous Fertilizer
These types of fertilizers supply nitrogen to the soil. Examples are ammonium sulphate, calcium ammonium nitrate, phosphoric calcium nitrate, calcium cyanamide (nitrolime), urea, etc.
Phosphatic Fertilizer
These types of fertilizers fulfill the deficiency of phosphorus in the soil. Example, super phosphate of lime, triple super phosphate, phosphati slag, etc.
Potash Fertilizer
These types of fertilizers fulfill the deficiency of potassium in the soil. For example, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, potassium sulphate, etc.
NP Fertilizer
These types of fertilizers fulfill the deficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil. These are made by mixing nitrogenous and phosphate fertilizers in proper proportion. Example, dihydrogen ammoniated phosphate, calcium super phosphate, nitrate, ammoniated phosphate sulphate, etc.

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Complete Fertilizers
These types of fertilizers fulfill the deficiency of all the three nutrients (N, P and K) required by the soil. They are made by mixing all three types of fertilizers Nitrogen, Phosphati and Potash in proper proportion.
Major fertilizer
ammonium sulfate
In India this nitrogenous fertilizer is produced at Sindri Fertilizer Factory. This fertilizer is very helpful in increasing the yield of paddy and potato. This fertilizer contains 24-25% ammonia which is converted into nitrate by the nitrifying bacteria present in the ash soil. Plants can easily absorb these nitrates from the soil.
Calcium Ammonia Nitrate:
This fertilizer is made on a large scale at a place called Nangal in Punjab. Nitrogen content in this fertilizer is about 20%. Plants accept it directly. There is no change in it when mixed with soil. Being highly soluble in water, it mixes easily in soil.
super phosphate of lime
It is a mixture of calcium dihydrogen phosphate gypsum. It contains 16-20% P2O5. Its active ingredient is calcium dihydrogen phosphate which is soluble in water.
- Triple Super Phosphate Lime
- It is a useful phosphatidic fertilizer.
urea
It is obtained by heating a mixture of ammonia and carbon dioxide at 125°C-150°C temperature and 8.5 atmospheric pressure. The nitrogen content in it is about 46%. It is used while planting seeds in the soil, but it is not allowed to come in contact with the seed. Water is applied to the soil only after 3-4 days of application of urea.
calcium cyanamide
It is also known as Nitrolim. It is a nitrogenous fertilizer. A mixture of CaCN2 and C is sold in the market under the name nitrolim.
What is fertilizer short answer?
fertilizer, natural or artificial substance containing the chemical elements that improve growth and productiveness of plants. Fertilizers enhance the natural fertility of the soil or replace chemical elements taken from the soil by previous crops.
What are Fertilisers?
Fertilisers are formulations which may contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds to promote plant growth. Fertilisers that supply all three elements are often called NPK fertilisers, after the chemical symbols for these three elements.
What are fertilizers Class 12?
Any large number of natural and synthetic materials, including manure and Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium compounds worked into the soil to increase the capacity to support the plant growth is called as fertilizers.
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