What does the meaning of numbers on fertilizer bag?

Do you observes all fertilizer products has a three numbers that are prominently listed in a front part of package? These numbers have biggest rule for you to understand what does fertilizer products can do.

List of Contents
I. What does the numbers on the bag of fertilizer instance for?
II. What are the individual function or contribution of NPK in plant growth ?

These three numbers are represents to the three essential nutrients needed by the plant in order to promote growth and development from early age to fruiting stage. The NPK which mostly written also on the bag of fertilizer are the element symbols of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. Its arrangement are always written to this form which the numbers are represented for. The first number are for Nitrogen; the second number are for Phosphorus; and the last number represent for Potassium. This would be seen like this (14-14-14 also known as complete fertilizer or all purpose fertilizer).

What does the numbers on the bag of fertilizer instance for?

The numbers are represented to the percentage of Nutrients (which are the NPK) contains in each bag of fertilizer. For example the bag of 14-14-14 is weighted about 50kg, the 14% of it are Nitrogen, 14% are Phosphorus, and 14% are Potassium. The remaining 58% are fillers or inert ingredients which may help to disperse nutrients. On the other hand, 21kg of 50kg complete fertilizer are purely synthetic elements. Also think about the fact that whatever is too much is bad. It can cause wilt, leaf burning and may die.

What are the individual function or contribution of NPK in plant growth ?

Nitrogen (N), help to the growth and development of upper part of the plants. Nitrogen promotes green leafy foliage, which part of chlorophyll molecule. It's helping plant to produce fruits. Its most known synthetic form of fertilizer available in the market are Urea (46-0-0).

Phosphorus (P), helps plant to the development of its lower part and promoting healthy root system. It is also responsible for flowering and fruit production. It's involved in several plants activities, like energy transfer, photosynthesis, genetic transfer from one to another, transformation of sugar and starch, and nutrient movement within the plant. Its most known available fertilizer in the market are Ammonium Phosphate (16-20-0), Diammonium Phosphate (18-46-0) and Natural Phosphate (0-22-0).

Potassium (K), are important for plant health. Its help to build strong cells in the plant tissues that may help to withstand in any stress, extreme temperature, pests and diseases. Its known available fertilizer in the market are Muriate of Potash (0-0-60) and Potassium Sulfate (0-0-50).

If you want to assure the balanced application of fertilizer in your field, do a soil sample and examination. Then know how to calculate the fertilizer you need to apply based on the Nutrient Recommendations.