94-562: CF Industries Holdings, Inc. is an American manufacturer and distributor of agricultural fertilizers , including ammonia , urea , and ammonium nitrate products. The company is based in Northbrook, Illinois , a suburb of Chicago , and was founded in 1946 as the Central Farmers Fertilizer Company. For its first 56 years, it was a federation of regional agricultural supply cooperatives . CF then demutualized , and became
188-676: A boom in using nitrogen fertilizers. In the latter half of the 20th century, increased use of nitrogen fertilizers (800% increase between 1961 and 2019) has been a crucial component of the increased productivity of conventional food systems (more than 30% per capita) as part of the so-called " Green Revolution ". The use of artificial and industrially-applied fertilizers has caused environmental consequences such as water pollution and eutrophication due to nutritional runoff; carbon and other emissions from fertilizer production and mining; and contamination and pollution of soil . Various sustainable agriculture practices can be implemented to reduce
282-405: A compost is not recommended due to the speed with which it may dry, the possible presence of phytotoxins in immature compost that may inhibit germination, and the possible tie up of nitrogen by incompletely decomposed lignin. It is very common to see blends of 20–30% compost used for transplanting seedlings . Compost can be used to increase plant immunity to diseases and pests. Compost tea
376-406: A critical advantage over their neighbors, leading them to become dominant cultures in their respective regions (P Bellwood - 2023 ) . Egyptians, Romans, Babylonians, and early Germans are all recorded as using minerals or manure to enhance the productivity of their farms. The scientific research of plant nutrition started well before the work of German chemist Justus von Liebig although his name
470-757: A fourth number for sulfur, and uses elemental values for all values including P and K. 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 or less than 0.04% dry matter. These elements are often required for enzymes essential to the plant's metabolism. Because these elements enable catalysts (enzymes), their impact far exceeds their weight%age. Typical micronutrients are boron , zinc , molybdenum , iron , and manganese . These elements are provided as water-soluble salts. Iron presents special problems because it converts to insoluble (bio-unavailable) compounds at moderate soil pH and phosphate concentrations. For this reason, iron
564-721: A joint venture in Point Lisas, Trinidad, and a 50% interest in the GrowHow joint venture in the United Kingdom. In 2013, Mosaic Company agreed to buy CF Industries' phosphate business for $ 1.4 billion in cash. On July 1, 2015, CF Industries announced an agreement to acquire remaining 50% interest in GrowHow from Yara International for $ 580 million. On August 6, 2015, CF Industries announced that it will combine with OCI N.V.'s European, North American and Global Distribution businesses for $ 8 billion. The combined company will be domiciled in
658-428: A mixture of phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ) and calcium nitrate (Ca(NO 3 ) 2 ). This mixture can be combined with a potassium fertilizer to produce a compound fertilizer with the three macronutrients N, P and K in easily dissolved form. Potash is a mixture of potassium minerals used to make potassium (chemical symbol: K) fertilizers. Potash is soluble in water, so the main effort in producing this nutrient from
752-521: A mouth mask and gloves must be worn to protect from diseases that can be contracted from handling compost, including: Oocytes are rendered unviable by temperatures over 50 °C (122 °F). Compost adds organic matter to the soil and increases the nutrient content and biodiversity of microbes in soil. Composting at home reduces the amount of green waste being hauled to dumps or composting facilities. The reduced volume of materials being picked up by trucks results in fewer trips, which in turn lowers
846-471: A pathogen dies depends on the pathogen, how long the temperature is maintained (seconds to weeks), and pH. Compost products such as compost tea and compost extracts have been found to have an inhibitory effect on Fusarium oxysporum , Rhizoctonia species , and Pythium debaryanum , plant pathogens that can cause crop diseases. Aerated compost teas are more effective than compost extracts. The microbiota and enzymes present in compost extracts also have
940-415: A process taking months. Composting can be a multistep, closely monitored process with measured inputs of water, air, and carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials. The decomposition process is aided by shredding the plant matter, adding water, and ensuring proper aeration by regularly turning the mixture in a process using open piles or windrows . Fungi , earthworms , and other detritivores further break up
1034-584: A publicly traded company. CF Industries operates nine manufacturing complexes worldwide comprising 17 ammonia plants, the largest of which is in Donaldsonville, Louisiana . The primary operating subsidiary is CF Industries, Inc. The company was founded in 1946 as the Central Farmers Fertilizer Company, a federation of regional agricultural supply cooperatives . The company became CF Industries in 1971. CF demutualized in 2002 and made an initial public offering of shares of equity stock in 2005. Since 2008,
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#17330846686681128-505: A range of specialist composts available, e.g. for vegetables, orchids, houseplants, hanging baskets, roses, ericaceous plants, seedlings, potting on, etc. Compost can also be used for land and stream reclamation, wetland construction , and landfill cover. The temperatures generated by compost can be used to heat greenhouses , such as by being placed around the outside edges. There are process and product guidelines in Europe that date to
1222-554: A reverse effect on nutrients – fresh sawdust can consume soil nutrients as it breaks down and may lower soil pH – but these same organic texturizers (as well as compost, etc.) may increase the availability of nutrients through improved cation exchange, or through increased growth of microorganisms that in turn increase availability of certain plant nutrients. Organic fertilizers such as composts and manures may be distributed locally without going into industry production, making actual consumption more difficult to quantify. China has become
1316-483: A shortage in the UK of food grade CO 2 ; a byproduct of ammonia production that is critical to sectors from beer and soft drinks to food packaging and meat. CF Industries' UK facilities had been the source of 60% of the country's food grade CO 2 . On September 21, the UK government announced a short-term arrangement whereby the government would provide limited financial support to CF Industries for three weeks in order to support
1410-410: A suppressive effect on fungal plant pathogens. Compost is a good source of biocontrol agents like B. subtilis , B. licheniformis, and P. chrysogenum that fight plant pathogens. Sterilizing the compost, compost tea, or compost extracts reduces the effect of pathogen suppression. When turning compost that has not gone through phases where temperatures above 50 °C (122 °F) are reached,
1504-536: A suppressive effect on plant pathogens and soil-borne diseases. The efficacy is influenced by a number of factors, such as the preparation process, the type of source the conditions of the brewing process, and the environment of the crops. Adding nutrients to compost tea can be beneficial for disease suppression, although it can trigger the regrowth of human pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella . Compost extracts are unfermented or non-brewed extracts of leached compost contents dissolved in any solvent. Compost
1598-493: A thermophilic stage for days or weeks. This is hot composting and is the usual method for large-scale municipal facilities and agricultural operations. The Berkeley method produces finished compost in 18 days. It requires assembly of at least 1 cubic metre (35 cu ft) of material at the outset and needs turning every two days after an initial four-day phase. Such short processes involve some changes to traditional methods, including smaller, more homogenized particle sizes in
1692-468: A variety of metals and pharmaceutical compounds. Insufficient processing of biosolids can also lead to problems when the material is applied to land. Urine can be put on compost piles or directly used as fertilizer. Adding urine to compost can increase temperatures, so can increase its ability to destroy pathogens and unwanted seeds. Unlike feces, urine does not attract disease-spreading flies (such as houseflies or blowflies ), and it does not contain
1786-420: A variety of ways: through dry or pelletized or liquid application processes, using large agricultural equipment, or hand-tool methods. Historically, fertilization came from natural or organic sources: compost , animal manure , human manure , harvested minerals, crop rotations , and byproducts of human-nature industries (e.g. fish processing waste , or bloodmeal from animal slaughter ). However, starting in
1880-401: Is ammonia (NH 3 ) ammonium (NH 4 ) or its solutions, including: The main straight phosphate fertilizers are the superphosphates : A mixture of single superphosphate and triple superphosphate is called double superphosphate. More than 90% of a typical superphosphate fertilizer is water-soluble. The main potassium-based straight fertilizer is muriate of potash (MOP, 95–99% KCl). It
1974-419: Is a rating system describing the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in a fertilizer. NPK ratings consist of three numbers separated by dashes (e.g., 10-10-10 or 16-4-8) describing the chemical content of fertilizers. The first number represents the percentage of nitrogen in the product; the second number, P 2 O 5 ; the third, K 2 O. Fertilizers do not actually contain P 2 O 5 or K 2 O, but
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#17330846686682068-613: Is added after each use. This practice creates air pockets in the human waste to promote aerobic decomposition. This also improves the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and reduces potential odor . Most composting toilet systems rely on mesophilic composting. Longer retention time in the composting chamber also facilitates pathogen die-off. The end product can also be moved to a secondary system – usually another composting step – to allow more time for mesophilic composting to further reduce pathogens. On open ground for growing wheat , corn , soybeans , and similar crops, compost can be broadcast across
2162-459: Is almost invariably used to apply water-soluble straight nitrogen fertilizers and used especially for high-value crops such as fruits. Urea is the most common foliar fertilizer. Compost Compost is a mixture of ingredients used as plant fertilizer and to improve soil 's physical, chemical, and biological properties. It is commonly prepared by decomposing plant and food waste, recycling organic materials, and manure. The resulting mixture
2256-423: Is an aerobic method of decomposing organic solid wastes, so it can be used to recycle organic material. The process involves decomposing organic material into a humus-like material, known as compost, which is a good fertilizer for plants. Composting organisms require four equally important ingredients to work effectively: Certain ratios of these materials allow microorganisms to work at a rate that will heat up
2350-441: Is an advantage for mechanical application. Urea is usually spread at rates of between 40 and 300 kg/ha (35 to 270 lbs/acre) but rates vary. Smaller applications incur lower losses due to leaching. During summer, urea is often spread just before or during rain to minimize losses from volatilization (a process wherein nitrogen is lost to the atmosphere as ammonia gas). Because of the high nitrogen concentration in urea, it
2444-419: Is an ongoing and dynamic process; adding new sources of carbon and nitrogen consistently, as well as active management, is important. Organisms can break down organic matter in compost if provided with the correct mixture of water, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. They fall into two broad categories: chemical decomposers, which perform chemical processes on the organic waste, and physical decomposers, which process
2538-420: Is called " fertigation ". Granulated fertilizers are more economical to ship and store, not to mention easier to apply. Urea is highly soluble in water and is therefore also very suitable for use in fertilizer solutions (in combination with ammonium nitrate: UAN), e.g., in 'foliar feed' fertilizers. For fertilizer use, granules are preferred over prills because of their narrower particle size distribution, which
2632-438: Is expected, urea can be side- or top-dressed during the growing season. Top-dressing is also popular on pasture and forage crops. In cultivating sugarcane, urea is side dressed after planting and applied to each ratoon crop. Because it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, urea is often stored in closed containers. Overdose or placing urea near seed is harmful. Foliar fertilizers are applied directly to leaves. This method
2726-832: Is extremely soluble and mobile and is a major cause of eutrophication and algal bloom . Fertilizers are classified in several ways. They are classified according to whether they provide a single nutrient (e.g., K, P, or N), in which case they are classified as "straight fertilizers". "Multinutrient fertilizers" (or "complex fertilizers") provide two or more nutrients, for example, N and P. Fertilizers are also sometimes classified as inorganic (the topic of most of this article) versus organic. Inorganic fertilizers exclude carbon-containing materials except ureas . Organic fertilizers are usually (recycled) plant- or animal-derived matter. Inorganic are sometimes called synthetic fertilizers since various chemical treatments are required for their manufacture. The main nitrogen-based straight fertilizer
2820-418: Is found in solid human waste. Phosphorus, which helps plants convert sunlight into energy in the form of ATP, can be found in liquid human waste. Solid human waste can be collected directly in composting toilets , or indirectly in the form of sewage sludge after it has undergone treatment in a sewage treatment plant . Both processes require capable design, as potential health risks need to be managed. In
2914-585: Is generally considered a source of nitrogen and includes pre- and post-consumer food waste , grass clippings, garden trimmings, and fresh leaves. Animal carcasses, roadkill, and butcher residue can also be composted, and these are considered nitrogen sources. Brown waste is a carbon source. Typical examples are dried vegetation and woody material such as fallen leaves, straw, woodchips, limbs, logs, pine needles, sawdust, and wood ash, but not charcoal ash. Products derived from wood such as paper and plain cardboard are also considered carbon sources. On many farms,
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3008-546: Is important to remove the calcium nitrate because calcium nitrate is extremely hygroscopic . " Organic fertilizers " can describe those fertilizers with a biologic origin—derived from living or formerly living materials. Organic fertilizers can also describe commercially available and frequently packaged products that strive to follow the expectations and restrictions adopted by " organic agriculture " and " environmentally friendly " gardening – related systems of food and plant production that significantly limit or strictly avoid
3102-428: Is in effect creating a nurse log that is covered with soil. Benefits of Hügelkultur garden beds include water retention and warming of soil. Buried wood acts like a sponge as it decomposes, able to capture water and store it for later use by crops planted on top of the bed. A composting toilet is a type of dry toilet that treats human waste by a biological process called composting. This process leads to
3196-468: Is made up of extracts of fermented water leached from composted materials. Composts can be either aerated or non-aerated depending on its fermentation process. Compost teas are generally produced from adding compost to water in a ratio of 1:4–1:10, occasionally stirring to release microbes . There is debate about the benefits of aerating the mixture. Non-aerated compost tea is cheaper and less labor-intensive, but there are conflicting studies regarding
3290-468: Is most mentioned as the "father of the fertilizer industry". Nicolas Théodore de Saussure and scientific colleagues at the time were quick to disprove the simplifications of von Liebig. Prominent scientists whom von Liebig drew were Carl Ludwig Sprenger and Hermann Hellriegel . In this field, a 'knowledge erosion' took place, partly driven by an intermingling of economics and research. John Bennet Lawes , an English entrepreneur , began experimenting on
3384-583: Is not necessary with cold composting, although a risk exists that parts of the pile may go anaerobic as it becomes compacted or waterlogged. Composting can destroy some pathogens and seeds , by reaching temperatures above 50 °C (122 °F). Dealing with stabilized compost – i.e. composted material in which microorganisms have finished digesting the organic matter and the temperature has reached between 50 and 70 °C (122 and 158 °F) – poses very little risk, as these temperatures kill pathogens and even make oocysts unviable. The temperature at which
3478-508: Is often administered as a chelate complex , e.g., the EDTA or EDDHA derivatives. The micronutrient needs depend on the plant and the environment. For example, sugar beets appear to require boron , and legumes require cobalt , while environmental conditions such as heat or drought make boron less available for plants. The production of synthetic, or inorganic, fertilizers require prepared chemicals, whereas organic fertilizers are derived from
3572-481: Is rarely used alone, plants can flourish from mixed soil that includes a mix of compost with other additives such as sand , grit, bark chips, vermiculite , perlite , or clay granules to produce loam . Compost can be tilled directly into the soil or growing medium to boost the level of organic matter and the overall fertility of the soil. Compost that is ready to be used as an additive is dark brown or even black with an earthy smell. Generally, direct seeding into
3666-450: Is required for the production of DNA ( genetic code ) and ATP , the main energy carrier in cells , as well as certain lipids ( phospholipids , the main components of the lipidic double layer of the cell membranes ). Two sets of enzymatic reactions are highly relevant to the efficiency of nitrogen-based fertilizers. The first is the hydrolysis (reaction with water) of urea ( CO(NH 2 ) 2 ). Many soil bacteria possess
3760-403: Is rich in plant nutrients and beneficial organisms , such as bacteria, protozoa, nematodes, and fungi. Compost improves soil fertility in gardens , landscaping , horticulture , urban agriculture , and organic farming , reducing dependency on commercial chemical fertilizers. The benefits of compost include providing nutrients to crops as fertilizer , acting as a soil conditioner , increasing
3854-399: Is sold as bagged potting mixes in garden centers and other outlets. This may include composted materials such as manure and peat but is also likely to contain loam, fertilizers, sand, grit, etc. Varieties include multi-purpose composts designed for most aspects of planting, John Innes formulations, grow bags, designed to have crops such as tomatoes directly planted into them. There are also
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3948-709: Is typically available as 0-0-60 or 0-0-62 fertilizer. These fertilizers are common. They consist of two or more nutrient components. Major two-component fertilizers provide both nitrogen and phosphorus to the plants. These are called NP fertilizers. The main NP fertilizers are About 85% of MAP and DAP fertilizers are soluble in water. NPK fertilizers are three-component fertilizers providing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. There exist two types of NPK fertilizers: compound and blends. Compound NPK fertilizers contain chemically bound ingredients, while blended NPK fertilizers are physical mixtures of single nutrient components. NPK rating
4042-457: Is typically granulated or powdered. Often solids are available as prills , a solid globule. Liquid fertilizers comprise anhydrous ammonia, aqueous solutions of ammonia, aqueous solutions of ammonium nitrate or urea. These concentrated products may be diluted with water to form a concentrated liquid fertilizer (e.g., UAN ). Advantages of liquid fertilizer are its more rapid effect and easier coverage. The addition of fertilizer to irrigation water
4136-450: Is very important to achieve an even spread. Drilling must not occur on contact with or close to seed, due to the risk of germination damage. Urea dissolves in water for application as a spray or through irrigation systems. In grain and cotton crops, urea is often applied at the time of the last cultivation before planting. In high rainfall areas and on sandy soils (where nitrogen can be lost through leaching) and where good in-season rainfall
4230-430: Is very wet and usually not mixed with bedding material, must be mixed with straw or similar raw materials. Poultry manure must be blended with high-carbon, low-nitrogen materials. Human excreta , sometimes called "humanure" in the composting context, can be added as an input to the composting process since it is a nutrient-rich organic material. Nitrogen, which serves as a building block for important plant amino acids,
4324-634: The Atacama Desert in Chile and was one of the original (1830) nitrogen-rich fertilizers used. It is still mined for fertilizer. Nitrates are also produced from ammonia by the Ostwald process . Phosphate fertilizers are obtained by extraction from phosphate rock , which contains two principal phosphorus-containing minerals, fluorapatite Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 F (CFA) and hydroxyapatite Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH. Billions of kg of phosphate rock are mined annually, but
4418-479: The Institute of Arable Crops Research . The Birkeland–Eyde process was one of the competing industrial processes at the beginning of nitrogen-based fertilizer production. This process was used to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N 2 ) into nitric acid (HNO 3 ), one of several chemical processes called nitrogen fixation . The resultant nitric acid was then used as a source of nitrate (NO 3 ). A factory based on
4512-494: The Ostwald process . It is estimated that a third of annual global food production uses ammonia from the Haber–Bosch process and that this supports nearly half the world's population. After World War II, nitrogen production plants that had ramped up for wartime bomb manufacturing were pivoted towards agricultural uses. The use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers has increased steadily over the last 50 years, rising almost 20-fold to
4606-554: The atmosphere , it is in a form that is unavailable to plants. Nitrogen is the most important fertilizer since nitrogen is present in proteins ( amide bonds between amino acids ), DNA ( puric and pyrimidic bases), and other components (e.g., tetrapyrrolic heme in chlorophyll ). To be nutritious to plants, nitrogen must be made available in a "fixed" form. Only some bacteria and their host plants (notably legumes ) can fix atmospheric nitrogen ( N 2 ) by converting it to ammonia ( NH 3 ). Phosphate ( PO 3− 4 )
4700-401: The decomposition of organic matter and turns human waste into compost-like material. Composting is carried out by microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi ) under controlled aerobic conditions. Most composting toilets use no water for flushing and are therefore called " dry toilets ". In many composting toilet designs, a carbon additive such as sawdust , coconut coir , or peat moss
4794-483: The humus or humic acid contents of the soil, and introducing beneficial microbes that help to suppress pathogens in the soil and reduce soil-borne diseases. At the simplest level, composting requires gathering a mix of "greens" (green waste) and "browns" (brown waste). Greens are materials rich in nitrogen, such as leaves, grass, and food scraps. Browns are woody materials rich in carbon, such as stalks, paper, and wood chips. The materials break down into humus in
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#17330846686684888-492: The 1960s. Phosphate and potash have increased in price since the 1960s, which is larger than the consumer price index. Potash is produced in Canada, Russia and Belarus, together making up over half of the world production. Potash production in Canada rose in 2017 and 2018 by 18.6%. Conservative estimates report 30 to 50% of crop yields are attributed to natural or synthetic commercial fertilizers. Fertilizer consumption has surpassed
4982-533: The 19th century, after innovations in plant nutrition , an agricultural industry developed around synthetically created agrochemical fertilizers . This transition was important in transforming the global food system , allowing for larger-scale industrial agriculture with large crop yields. Nitrogen-fixing chemical processes, such as the Haber process invented at the beginning of the 20th century, and amplified by production capacity created during World War II, led to
5076-609: The EU countries. [REDACTED] Fertilizers are commonly used for growing all crops, with application rates depending on the soil fertility, usually as measured by a soil test and according to the particular crop. Legumes, for example, fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and generally do not require nitrogen fertilizer. Fertilizers are applied to crops both as solids and as liquid. About 90% of fertilizers are applied as solids. The most widely used solid inorganic fertilizers are urea , diammonium phosphate and potassium chloride. Solid fertilizer
5170-509: The UK and it will use the CF Industries name. On May 31, 2016, CF Industries announced the termination of the proposed combination with the European, North American and Global Distribution businesses of OCI. On September 15, 2021, CF Industries announced that it was halting operations at its two UK production complexes due to high natural gas prices. The halt in operations created a potential for
5264-727: The United States, on-farm use is relatively rare since rates over 4 tons/acre may not be affordable. This results from an over-emphasis on "recycling organic matter" than on "sustainable nutrients." In countries such as Germany, where compost distribution and spreading are partially subsidized in the original waste fees, compost is used more frequently on open ground on the premise of nutrient "sustainability". In plasticulture , strawberries , tomatoes , peppers , melons , and other fruits and vegetables are grown under plastic to control temperature, retain moisture and control weeds. Compost may be banded (applied in strips along rows) and worked into
5358-622: The adverse environmental effects of fertilizer and pesticide use and environmental damage caused by industrial agriculture . Management of soil fertility has preoccupied farmers since the beginning of agriculture. Middle Eastern, Chinese, Mesoamerican, and Cultures of the Central Andes were all early adopters of agriculture. This is thought to have led to their cultures growing faster in population which allowed an exportation of culture to neighboring hunter-gatherer groups. Fertilizer use along with agriculture allowed some of these early societies
5452-607: The amount of farmland in the United States. Data on the fertilizer consumption per hectare arable land in 2012 are published by The World Bank . The diagram below shows fertilizer consumption by the European Union (EU) countries as kilograms per hectare (pounds per acre). The total consumption of fertilizer in the EU is 15.9 million tons for 105 million hectare arable land area (or 107 million hectare arable land according to another estimate ). This figure equates to 151 kg of fertilizers consumed per ha arable land on average by
5546-603: The basic composting ingredients are animal manure generated on the farm as a nitrogen source, and bedding as the carbon source. Straw and sawdust are common bedding materials. Nontraditional bedding materials are also used, including newspaper and chopped cardboard. The amount of manure composted on a livestock farm is often determined by cleaning schedules, land availability, and weather conditions. Each type of manure has its own physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Cattle and horse manures, when mixed with bedding, possess good qualities for composting. Swine manure, which
5640-452: The case of home composting, a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasitic worms, can be present in feces, and improper processing can pose significant health risks. In the case of large sewage treatment facilities that collect wastewater from a range of residential, commercial and industrial sources, there are additional considerations. The composted sewage sludge, referred to as biosolids , can be contaminated with
5734-428: The compost pile. Active management of the pile (e.g., turning over the compost heap) is needed to maintain sufficient oxygen and the right moisture level. The air/water balance is critical to maintaining high temperatures 130–160 °F (54–71 °C) until the materials are broken down. Composting is most efficient with a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of about 25:1. Hot composting focuses on retaining heat to increase
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#17330846686685828-476: The composting of livestock. In-vessel composting generally describes a group of methods that confine the composting materials within a building, container, or vessel. In-vessel composting systems can consist of metal or plastic tanks or concrete bunkers in which air flow and temperature can be controlled, using the principles of a " bioreactor ". Generally the air circulation is metered in via buried tubes that allow fresh air to be injected under pressure, with
5922-523: The current rate of 100 million tonnes of nitrogen per year. The development of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers has significantly supported global population growth. It has been estimated that almost half the people on the Earth are currently fed due to synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use. The use of phosphate fertilizers has also increased from 9 million tonnes per year in 1960 to 40 million tonnes per year in 2000. Agricultural use of inorganic fertilizers in 2021
6016-497: The decomposition rate, thus producing compost more quickly. Rapid composting is favored by having a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of about 30 carbon units or less. Above 30, the substrate is nitrogen starved. Below 15, it is likely to outgas a portion of nitrogen as ammonia. Nearly all dead plant and animal materials have both carbon and nitrogen in different amounts. Fresh grass clippings have an average ratio of about 15:1 and dry autumn leaves about 50:1 depending upon species. Composting
6110-441: The effects of various manures on plants growing in pots in 1837, and a year or two later the experiments were extended to crops in the field. One immediate consequence was that in 1842 he patented a manure formed by treating phosphates with sulfuric acid, and thus was the first to create the artificial manure industry. In the succeeding year, he enlisted the services of Joseph Henry Gilbert ; together they performed crop experiments at
6204-516: The elements, but the elements are not used as fertilizers. Instead, compounds containing these elements are the basis of fertilizers. The macro-nutrients are consumed in larger quantities and are present in plant tissue in quantities from 0.15% to 6.0% on a dry matter (DM) (0% moisture) basis. Plants are made up of four main elements: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are widely available respectively in carbon dioxide and in water. Although nitrogen makes up most of
6298-457: The enzyme urease , which catalyzes the conversion of urea to ammonium ion ( NH + 4 ) and bicarbonate ion ( HCO − 3 ). Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), such as species of Nitrosomonas , oxidize ammonia ( NH 3 ) to nitrite ( NO − 2 ), a process termed nitrification . Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria , especially Nitrobacter , oxidize nitrite ( NO − 2 ) to nitrate ( NO − 3 ), which
6392-695: The exhaust being extracted through a biofilter , with temperature and moisture conditions monitored using probes in the mass to allow maintenance of optimum aerobic decomposition conditions. Aerated static pile (ASP) composting refers to any of a number of systems used to biodegrade organic material without physical manipulation during primary composting . The blended admixture is usually placed on perforated piping, providing air circulation for controlled aeration . It may be in windrows , open or covered, or in closed containers . With regard to complexity and cost, aerated systems are most commonly used by larger, professionally managed composting facilities, although
6486-937: The immediate restart of operations and CO 2 production at its Billingham , Teesside, plant. In June 2022, CF Industries permanently shut their fertiliser factory in Ince, Cheshire , due to continuing high gas prices and environmental taxes. Fertilizer A fertilizer ( American English ) or fertiliser ( British English ) is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients . Fertilizers may be distinct from liming materials or other non-nutrient soil amendments . Many sources of fertilizer exist, both natural and industrially produced. For most modern agricultural practices, fertilization focuses on three main macro nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) with occasional addition of supplements like rock flour for micronutrients. Farmers apply these fertilizers in
6580-468: The input materials, controlling carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) at 30:1 or less, and careful monitoring of the moisture level. Cold composting is a slower process that can take up to a year to complete. It results from smaller piles, including many residential compost piles that receive small amounts of kitchen and garden waste over extended periods. Piles smaller than 1 cubic metre (35 cu ft) tend not to reach and maintain high temperatures. Turning
6674-407: The largest producer and consumer of nitrogen fertilizers while Africa has little reliance on nitrogen fertilizers. Agricultural and chemical minerals are very important in industrial use of fertilizers, which is valued at approximately $ 200 billion. Nitrogen has a significant impact in the global mineral use, followed by potash and phosphate. The production of nitrogen has drastically increased since
6768-409: The largest user of each nutrient. A maize crop yielding 6–9 tonnes of grain per hectare (2.5 acres) requires 31–50 kilograms (68–110 lb) of phosphate fertilizer to be applied; soybean crops require about half, 20–25 kg per hectare. Yara International is the world's largest producer of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Fertilizers enhance the growth of plants. This goal is met in two ways,
6862-439: The materials have consumer appeal. No matter the definition nor composition, most of these products contain less-concentrated nutrients, and the nutrients are not as easily quantified. They can offer soil-building advantages as well as be appealing to those who are trying to farm / garden more "naturally". In terms of volume, peat is the most widely used packaged organic soil amendment. It is an immature form of coal and improves
6956-406: The most hardy of pathogens, such as parasitic worm eggs. Animal carcasses may be composted as a disposal option. Such material is rich in nitrogen. Human composting (also known as soil transformation ) is a process for the final disposition of human remains in which microbes convert a deceased body into compost. It is also called natural organic reduction (NOR) or terramation. Although
7050-430: The natural decomposition of human corpses into soil is a long-standing practice, a more rapid process that was developed in the early 21st century by Katrina Spade, entails encasing human corpses in wood chips, straw, and alfalfa until thermophile microbes decompose the body. In this manner, the transformation can be sped up to as little as 1–2 months. The accelerated process is based in part on techniques developed for
7144-520: The only planting substrate. The particular crop and the seeds' sensitivity to nutrients, salts, etc. dictates the ratio of the blend, and maturity is important to insure that oxygen deprivation will not occur or that no lingering phyto-toxins remain. Compost can be added to soil, coir , or peat , as a tilth improver, supplying humus and nutrients. It provides a rich growing medium as absorbent material. This material contains moisture and soluble minerals, which provide support and nutrients . Although it
7238-537: The ore involves some purification steps, e.g., to remove sodium chloride (NaCl) (common salt ). Sometimes potash is referred to as K 2 O, as a matter of convenience to those describing the potassium content. In fact, potash fertilizers are usually potassium chloride , potassium sulfate , potassium carbonate , or potassium nitrate . There are three major routes for manufacturing NPK fertilizers (named for their main ingredients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)): Step 2. Removal of Calcium Nitrate. It
7332-740: The organic material. Aerobic bacteria and fungi manage the chemical process by converting the inputs into heat, carbon dioxide , and ammonium ions. Composting is an important part of waste management, since food and other compostable materials make up about 20% of waste in landfills, and due to anaerobic conditions, these materials take longer to biodegrade in the landfill. Composting offers an environmentally superior alternative to using organic material for landfill because composting reduces methane emissions due to anaerobic conditions, and provides economic and environmental co-benefits. For example, compost can also be used for land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and landfill cover. Composting
7426-629: The organic processes of plants and animals in biological processes using biochemicals. Nitrogen fertilizers are made from ammonia (NH 3 ) produced by the Haber–Bosch process . In this energy-intensive process, natural gas (CH 4 ) usually supplies the hydrogen , and the nitrogen (N 2 ) is derived from the air . This ammonia is used as a feedstock for all other nitrogen fertilizers, such as anhydrous ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3 ) and urea (CO(NH 2 ) 2 ). Deposits of sodium nitrate (NaNO 3 ) ( Chilean saltpeter ) are also found in
7520-489: The overall emissions from the waste-management fleet. Potential sources of compostable materials, or feedstocks, include residential, agricultural, and commercial waste streams. Residential food or yard waste can be composted at home, or collected for inclusion in a large-scale municipal composting facility. In some regions, it could also be included in a local or neighborhood composting project. The two broad categories of organic solid waste are green and brown. Green waste
7614-582: The process was built in Rjukan and Notodden in Norway and large hydroelectric power facilities were built. The 1910s and 1920s witnessed the rise of the Haber process and the Ostwald process . The Haber process produces ammonia (NH 3 ) from methane (CH 4 ) ( natural gas ) gas and molecular nitrogen (N 2 ) from the air. The ammonia from the Haber process is then partially converted into nitric acid (HNO 3 ) in
7708-436: The risks of phytotoxicity and human pathogen regrowth. Aerated compost tea brews faster and generates more microbes, but has potential for human pathogen regrowth, particularly when one adds additional nutrients to the mixture. Field studies have shown the benefits of adding compost teas to crops due to organic matter input, increased nutrient availability, and increased microbial activity. They have also been shown to have
7802-510: The shares of CF Industries have been included in the S&;P 500 index of large-cap stock prices. In April 2010, CF Industries acquired Terra Industries, Inc., following protracted negotiations that included an attempt by rival fertilizer manufacturer Agrium to purchase CF and efforts by Yara International to purchase Terra. acquiring five production complexes in North America, a 50% interest in
7896-410: The size and quality of the remaining ore is decreasing. These minerals are converted into water-soluble phosphate salts by treatment with acids . The large production of sulfuric acid is primarily motivated by this application. In the nitrophosphate process or Odda process (invented in 1927), phosphate rock with up to a 20% phosphorus (P) content is dissolved with nitric acid (HNO 3 ) to produce
7990-442: The slaughter of animals – bloodmeal , bone meal , feather meal , hides, hoofs, and horns all are typical components. Organically derived materials available to industry such as sewage sludge may not be acceptable components of organic farming and gardening, because of factors ranging from residual contaminants to public perception. On the other hand, marketed "organic fertilizers" may include, and promote, processed organics because
8084-456: The soil by aeration and absorbing water but confers no nutritional value to the plants. It is therefore not a fertilizer as defined in the beginning of the article, but rather an amendment. Coir , (derived from coconut husks), bark, and sawdust when added to soil all act similarly (but not identically) to peat and are also considered organic soil amendments – or texturizers – because of their limited nutritive inputs. Some organic additives can have
8178-416: The soil prior to bedding and planting, be applied at the same time the beds are constructed and plastic laid down, or used as a top dressing. Many crops are not seeded directly in the field but are started in seed trays in a greenhouse. When the seedlings reach a certain stage of growth, they are transplanted in the field. Compost may be part of the mix used to grow the seedlings, but is not normally used as
8272-499: The system is a conventional shorthand for the amount of the phosphorus (P) or potassium (K) in a fertilizer. A 50-pound (23 kg) bag of fertilizer labeled 16-4-8 contains 8 lb (3.6 kg) of nitrogen (16% of the 50 pounds), an amount of phosphorus equivalent to that in 2 pounds of P 2 O 5 (4% of 50 pounds), and 4 pounds of K 2 O (8% of 50 pounds). Most fertilizers are labeled according to this N-P-K convention, although Australian convention, following an N-P-K-S system, adds
8366-484: The technique may range from very small, simple systems to very large, capital intensive, industrial installations. In agriculture , windrow composting is the production of compost by piling organic matter or biodegradable waste , such as animal manure and crop residues, in long rows – windrow . The practice of making raised garden beds or mounds filled with rotting wood is also called Hügelkultur in German. It
8460-406: The top of the soil using spreader trucks or spreaders pulled behind a tractor. It is expected that the spread layer is very thin (approximately 6 mm (0.24 in)) and worked into the soil prior to planting. Application rates of 25 mm (0.98 in) or more are not unusual when trying to rebuild poor soils or control erosion. Due to the extremely high cost of compost per unit of nutrients in
8554-407: The traditional one being additives that provide nutrients. The second mode by which some fertilizers act is to enhance the effectiveness of the soil by modifying its water retention and aeration. This article, like many on fertilizers, emphasizes the nutritional aspect. Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions : The nutrients required for healthy plant life are classified according to
8648-568: The use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The "organic fertilizer" products typically contain both some organic materials as well as acceptable additives such as nutritive rock powders, ground seashells (crab, oyster, etc.), other prepared products such as seed meal or kelp, and cultivated microorganisms and derivatives. Fertilizers of an organic origin (the first definition) include animal wastes , plant wastes from agriculture, seaweed , compost , and treated sewage sludge ( biosolids ). Beyond manures, animal sources can include products from
8742-436: The waste into smaller pieces through methods such as grinding, tearing, chewing, and digesting. Under ideal conditions, composting proceeds through three major phases: The time required to compost material relates to the volume of material, the particle size of the inputs (e.g. wood chips break down faster than branches), and the amount of mixing and aeration. Generally, larger piles reach higher temperatures and remain in
8836-491: Was 195 million tonnes of nutrients, of which 56% was nitrogen. Asia represented 53% of the world's total agricultural use of inorganic fertilizers in 2021, followed by the Americas (29%), Europe (12%), Africa (4%) and Oceania (2%). This ranking of the regions is the same for all nutrients. The main users of inorganic fertilizers are, in descending order, China, India, Brazil, and the United States of America (see Table 15), with China
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