How is fertilizer density measured?
Bulk Density [kg/m 3] | ||
Prilled urea | 46-0-0 | 1300-1320 |
Granular urea | 46-0-0 | 1220-1300 |
Prilled ammonium nitrate (high density) | 34-0-0 | 1650-1670 |
Prilled ammonium nitrate (low density) | 34-0-0 | 1290 |
How do you measure bulk density of fertilizer?
Bulk density is measured by weighing a container of known volume filled with a fertilizer sample. However, bulk density measurements can be reported in a variety of ways so it is important to have awareness of their definitions and which one to use when spreading fertilizer.
How do you calculate specific gravity of fertilizer?
Density of Fertilizer (lbs/gal) = Specific Gravity of fertilizer X 8.34 For example –-> assume a 5 gallon pail of water weighed 42.7 pounds after subtracting out the weight of the pail. When filled with 28% UAN, the weight of the fertilizer was 53.4 pounds. . Density of UAN = 1.28 x 8.34 = 10.67 lb/gal
How do you find the particle size of fertilizer?
Particle Size. SGN (Size Guide Number) values report on the average (not median) particle size multiplied by 100. For example, a fertilizer with an average particle size of 1.5 mm equates to a SGN = 150. Using sieves, once can interpret a SGN of 150 as 50% of particles were retained on a sieve with a 1.5mm opening.
How to determine fertilizer ratios?
You can also determine fertilizer ratios from fertilizer grades by dividing the percentage of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash by the lowest percentage of the three nutrients.
What is density in fertilizer?
The FERTILIZER DENSITY SCALE accurately measures the density of dry fertilizer blends by both, pounds per cubic foot and kilograms per cubic meter. Fertilizer Density measurement is extremely important in determining accurate settings of ferilizer application equipment.
What is the density of DAP fertilizer?
Dry Bulk:Dry Bulk:Ammonium Nitrate (34-0-0)58-62 lbs./cu. ft.Urea (46-0-0)48-52 lbs./cu. ft.Diammonium Phosphate (18-14-0)56-60 lbs./cu. ft.Ammonium Phosphate (16-20-0)58-62 lbs./cu. ft.2 more rows
How do you calculate fertilizer units?
Calculation A Amount of fertiliser kg/ha = kg/ha nutrient ÷ % nutrient in fertiliser x 100. Example: You need 20 units (kg) /ha of phosphorus (P) and you plan to use single superphosphate with 8.8% P.
What is the density of granular fertilizer?
The bulk density of and of granular urea investigated was 0.76 ± 0.0011 g/m 3 at moisture content of 18.7% granular urea Table 5 and the hundred particles weight of urea was 0.8 ± 0.6 at 18.7% moisture content of urea (Table 6) fertilizer mass (weight) of hundred particles.
What is the density of urea?
1.32 g/cm³Urea / DensityUrea appears as solid odorless white crystals or pellets. Density 1.335 g /cc.
How do you analyze fertilizer?
All fertilizer labels have three bold numbers. The first number is the amount of nitrogen (N), the second number is the amount of phosphate (P2O5) and the third number is the amount of potash (K2O). These three numbers represent the primary nutrients (nitrogen(N) - phosphorus(P) - potassium(K)).
How is NPK measured?
To determine a fertilizer ratio for a recommendation of 1.5 lb of nitrogen, 0.5 lb of phosphate, and 0.5 lb of potash, divide the weight of each of the three nutrients (1.5 lb, 0.5 lb, 0.5 lb) by the nutrient with the lowest weight (0.5 lb). Thus, the fertilizer ratio that best fits this recommendation is 3-1-1.
How do you measure fertilizer bags?
1:021:54How to Calculate Fertilizer Application Rates - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis will give us the amount of fertilizer by weight that we need to cover 1,000 square feet of turfMoreThis will give us the amount of fertilizer by weight that we need to cover 1,000 square feet of turf. So take one pound divided by 0.2 two and you get 4.5 4 pounds of 2200. Per thousand square feet.
What is NPK fertilizer ratio?
Prominently featured, the N-P-K-ratio is the percentage the product contains by volume of nitrogen (chemical symbol N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A 16-16-16 fertilizer, for example, contains 16% nitrogen, 16% phosphorus, and 16% potassium.
What is the density of nitrogen fertilizer?
Across years and planting densities, the average NUE was ranked in the following order: 44.4 kg kg-1 for N180 > 41.8 kg kg-1 for N360 > 32.5 kg kg-1 for N0. The AEN and PFPN in N180 were 24.7 and 63.0 kg kg-1, respectively, which displayed significant increases of 96 and 99%, respectively, compared to N360 (Table 2).
What does 28 fertilizer weigh?
The calculation can be relatively easy if you remember that 28% UAN has 2.9 pounds N per gallon and 32% has 3.5 pounds N per gallon. How did we come up with these amounts? UAN28 weighs 10.6 pounds per gallon, so 10.6 pounds X 0.28 = 2.9 pounds.
What does fertilizer weight per cubic foot?
46-00-00 is approx 48 lbs./ cubic foot.
What are the physical properties of fertilizer?
In order of importance, the physical properties that impact the quality of fertilizer granular spread are: particle size, particle density, bulk density, particle shape, crushing strength, flowability and coefficient of friction.
Why is it important to understand the physical properties of fertilizer?
It is important that spreader operators or managers understand fertilizer physical properties since these control the ballistic nature and particle trajectories of different fertilizers. Improper setup or handling of fertilizer can lead to uneven spread patterns that can greatly affect crop growth and yield.
What is the D50 in fertilizer?
d50 is the median particle size for a fertilizer sample or load and the most common metric to report particle size. Units are usually reported in millimeters by most fertilizer manufacturers. SGN (Size Guide Number) values report on the average (not median) particle size multiplied by 100.
What is the impact of particle size on fertilizer spread?
Particle size has an exponential impact on spread width and to the risk of product segregation. In general, larger particles are thrown further by a spreader than smaller particles.
Why is fertilizer source important?
Fertilizer source is also important because nutrient concentration may vary, as can the physical properties of granular material (s) which affect delivery and deposition onto a field. All the variables listed in Figure 1 should be considered by operators before and during application. Although all are important, ...
What factors affect the particle size of fertilizer?
Particle size of fertilizers can be impacted by many factors including transportation, conveyance, handling and metering.
How does transporting and spreading affect particle size?
Storing, transporting and spreading can all affect particle density and particle size of a granular fertilizer Crushing induced variability in these physical properties may increase more in blended than single fertilizers, and problems with fines and dust can occur.

Physical Property Descriptions
Summary
- The application of granular fertilizers in terms of metering, deposition and distribution are impacted by physical properties of the product. Accuracy of product delivery is critical to ensure that right rate and place are achieved within a field is critical to crop yield and farm profitability. In order of importance, the physical properties that impact the quality of fertilizer granular spread a…
Acknowledgments
- This fact sheet was reviewed by Katrina Cornish, PhD, Professor, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University; Eric Richer, Extension Educator (Agricultural and Natural Resources), The Ohio State University; Curt Woolfolk, Senior Agronomist, The Mosaic Company; and Miles Grafton, PhD, Professor, Massey University.
References
- Alireza Sanaeifar and Mohammad Javad Sheikhdavoodi, 2012. Evaluating of Broadcasting Uniformity of Centrifugal and Oscillating Granular Broadcasters. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineer...
- Aphale, A., N. Bolander, J. Park, L. Shaw, J. Svec and C. Wassgren. 2003. Granular fertilizer particle dynamics on and off a spinner spreader. Biosystems Eng. 85(1): 319-329.
- Alireza Sanaeifar and Mohammad Javad Sheikhdavoodi, 2012. Evaluating of Broadcasting Uniformity of Centrifugal and Oscillating Granular Broadcasters. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineer...
- Aphale, A., N. Bolander, J. Park, L. Shaw, J. Svec and C. Wassgren. 2003. Granular fertilizer particle dynamics on and off a spinner spreader. Biosystems Eng. 85(1): 319-329.
- Fertilizer Manual. 1998. Fertilizer Manual (3rd ed.). Ed. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC). Norwell, MA: Kluwer Acad...
- Hoffmeister G., S.C. Watkins and J. Silverberg. 1964. Bulk blending of fertilizer material: effect of size, shape and density on segregation. Agri. and Food Chem. 12(1): 64-69.