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Inefficiency of Fertilizer Use Resulting from Nonuniform Spatial Distribution: III. Fractional Segregation in Fertilizer Materials
Author(s) -
Jensen Don,
Pesek John
Publication year - 1962
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1962.03615995002600020024x
Subject(s) - fertilizer , loam , bushel , nutrient , mathematics , stratification (seeds) , yield (engineering) , calcareous , soil science , acre , environmental science , agronomy , geology , soil water , materials science , chemistry , agroforestry , composite material , organic chemistry , biology , paleontology , seed dormancy , germination , dormancy
Partial stratification of dry‐blended fertilizer materials may occur as a result of different physical properties of the component nutrient carriers. Nonuniform nutrient distributions arise, in spite of uniform application of the mixture, because nutrient ratios and analyses vary among strata. Nutrient segregation is illustrated by a linear relation between nutrient rate and distance traveled by a fertilizer applicator. Fertilizer distributions may also be influenced by spreading characteristics of the fertilizer applicator. Yields associated with nonuniform application of a segregated mixture were evaluated by substituting an appropriate distribution function into a specific yield equation and integrating over the treated area. Algebraic results of the derivations are illustrated numerically for corn produced on a calcareous Ida silt loam in Iowa. Yield losses induced by nutrient segregation alone may reach 5 bushels per acre for selected degrees of severity of stratification. For the particular distribution patterns considered, additional yield losses of up to 6.1 bushels per acre may result from nonuniform application of a segregated fertilizer mixture.