Nutrient Content of Fertilizer Materials

The following tables can be used as quick reference guides to fertilizer materials. These materials may be used alone or blended with other fertilizer materials to form a multinutrient fertilizer.

The actual nutrient content may vary from what is listed, depending upon the manufacturer, the purity of the product, or other materials blended with the product. Most values are for the fertilizer-grade product and not the pure chemical. The chemical formulas given are for the primary active compound.

Primary and Secondary Nutrient Sources

Material Percentage Approx. CaCO3
Equiv./100 lb.* Comments

N P2O5 K2O Ca Mg S

Nitrogen Materials

Ammonium nitrate**
NH4NO3 34 0 0 0 0 0 -61

Ammonium nitrate limestone
NH4NO3 + (CaCO3 + MgCO3) 20 0 0 6 4 0 0 Ca and Mg depend on limestone used

Ammonium nitrate sulfate
NH4NO3 + (NH4)2SO4 30 0 0 0 0 5 -71

Ammonium sulfate**
(NH4)2SO4 21 0 0 0 0 24 -110

Anhydrous ammonia**
NH3 82 0 0 0 0 0 -148 Pressurized gas

Aqua ammonia
NH4OH 16-25 0 0 0 0 0 -36 to -54

Calcium cyanamide
CaCN2 21 0 0 11 0 0 +63 Most alkaline N material

Calcium nitrate
Ca(NO3)24H2O 15 0 0 21 0 0 +20

Calcium nitrate/urea (Calurea)
Ca(NO3)2 + 4CO(NH2)2 34 0 0 10 0 0 -36 Don't blend with superphosphate

Crotonylidene diurea
(CDU) 32 0 0 0 0 0 NA Slow-release

Isobutylidene diurea
(IBDU) 31 0 0 0 0 0 NA Slow-release

Nitrogen solutions
(N-SOL or UAN solutions)**
(urea/ammonium nitrate):
32% UAN (35% urea + 45% A.N.)
30% UAN (33% urea + 42% A.N.)
28% UAN (30% urea + 40% A.N.)
21% AN (60% A.N. + 40% water)
19% AN (54% A.N. + 46% water)

32
30
28
21
19

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0

-55
-52
-49
-37
-33

Solutions code:
320(0-45-35)
300(0-42-33)
280(0-40-30)
210(0-60-0)
190(0-54-0)

Potassium nitrate
KNO3 13 0 44 0 0 0 +26

Sodium nitrate (nitrate of soda)
NaNO3 16 0 0 0 0 0 +29

Urea**
CO(NH2)2 45 0 0 0 0 0 -81

Urea (sulfur coated)
CO(NH2)2 + S 36-38 0 0 0 0 13-16 -118 N release depends on S coating

Ureaform
(urea + formaldehyde) 38 0 0 0 0 0 -68 Slow-release

Phosphorous Materials

Ammoniated superphosphate 12-17 22-35 0 *** 0 *** -7

Ammonium phosphate**
Diammonium phosphate (DAP)
(NH4)2H2PO4
Monoammonium phosphate (MAP)
NH4HPO2 18

11 46

48 0

0 0

1 0

0 0

0 -70

-65

Ammonium phosphate nitrate
NH4H2PO4.NH4NO3 30 10 0 0 0 0 -54

Ammonium phosphate sulfate
4NH4H2PO4. x (NH4)2SO4 16 20 0 0 0 15 -76 to -113 Mixture

Ammonium polyphosphate**
(NH4)HP2O7 + (NH4)5P3O10 10 34 0 0 0 0 -- Liquid

Basic Slag 0 0-6 *** 3-29 *** *** +70 Analysis variable

Bone meal (steamed)
Ca3(PO4)2 + CaCO3 0-2 10-20 0 19-25 0 0 +20

Concentrated superphosphate**
(triple superphosphate)
Ca(H2PO4)2. x H2O 0 46 0 14 0 2 0

Nitric phosphate 12-17 22-35 0 *** 0 *** -20

Normal superphosphate
Ca(H2PO4)2. x H2O + CaSO4 0 20 0 21 0 11 0

Phosphate rock 0 2-35 0 *** *** 0 +10 Total P2O5 relatively unavailable

Phosphoric acid**
H3PO4
Wet-process acid
Concentrated wet-process acid
Superphosphoric acid

0
0
0

30
40-54
76

0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0

-63
-84 to -110
-110 Liquid

Urea-ammonium phosphate 23 35 0 0 0 0 Research mixture

Urea phosphate
CO(NH2)2 + H3PO4 17 44 0 0 0 0 -82 Research

Potassium Materials

Greensand 0 1 6 0 0 0 Natural low-grade, mineral

Potassium carbonate
K2CO3 solid
K2CO3 liquid 0
0 0
0 48
34 0
0 0
0 0
0 +70
+50

Potassium chloride**
KCl(muriate of potash) 0 0 60 0 0 0 0 Most widely used, single fertilizer material

Potassium magnesium sulfate**
(sulfate of potash magnesia)
K2SO4. 2MgSO4 or
MgSO4. K2SO4. 6H2O 0 0 21 0 11 23 0

Potassium metaphosphate
KPO3 0 59 39 0 0 0 ***

Potassium nitrate (nitrate of potash)
KNO3 13 0 44 0 0 0 +26

Potassium sulfate (sulfate of potash)
K2SO4 0 0 52 0 0 16 0

Calcium Materials

Calcium chloride
CaCl2 0 0 0 36 0 0 0 Water soluble

Burned lime
CaO 0 0 0 70 0 0 +178

Calcitic limestone** (ground)
CaCO3 0 0 0 36 0 0 +95 to 100

Dolomitic limestone** (ground)
CaCO3 + MgCO3 0 0 0 24-30 6-12 0 +95 to 108

Selma chalk 0 0 0 32 0 0 +80

Gypsum**
CaSO4. 2H2O 0 0 0 22 0 18 0 Solubility = 0.02 lb./gal.

Hydrated lime
Ca(OH)2 0 0 0 50 0 0 +134 Solubility = 0.01 lb./gal.

Magnesium Materials

Dolomitic limestone** (ground)
CaCO3 + MgCO3 0 0 0 24-30 6-12 0 +95 to 108 Analysis variable; must contain at least 6% Mg

Magnesium ammonium phosphate
MgNH4PO4. 6H2O 8 40 0 0 15 0 Solubility = 0.001 lb./gal.

Magnesium oxide
MgO 0 0 0 0 45 0 +250 Solubility = 0.00062g/100g
0.001 oz./gal.

Magnesium sulfate** (epsom salt)
MgSO4. 7H2O 0 0 0 0 10 13 0 Solubility = 7.6 lb./gal.

Magnesium sulfate (Kieserite)
MgSO4. H2O 0 0 0 0 17 23 0 Solubility = 4.7 lb./gal.

Potassium magnesium sulfate**
(sulfate of potash magnesia)
K2SO4. 2MgSO4 0 0 21 0 11 23 0 Soluble

Sulfur Materials

Ammonium sulfate**
(NH4)2SO4 21 0 0 0 0 24 -110 Available in prilled or water-soluble crystals

Ammonium thiosulfate**
(60% solution)
(NH4)S2O3 12 0 0 0 0 26 Liquid; reacts with alkaline materials

Elemental sulfur (S):
Wettable S
Flowable S
Flowers of S 0
0
0 0
0
0 0
0
0 0
0
0 0
0
0 90-100
52-70
90-100 -312
-218
-312 Elemental S must be oxidized to sulfate before available to plants

Gypsum **
CaSO4. 2H2O 0 0 0 22 0 18 0

Magnesium sulfate (epsom salt)
MgSO4. 7H2O 0 0 0 0 10 13 0 Soluble

Potassium magnesium sulfate** 0 0 21 0 11 23 0

Potassium sulfate
K2SO4 0 0 52 0 0 16 0 Soluble

Sulfuric acid
H2SO4 0 0 0 0 0 20-26 -62 to -81 Liquid; highly reactive

* Negative value indicates net acidifying effect on soil; positive value indicates net basic reaction in soil.
** Commonly available materials
*** Present in undetermined amounts
Symbol Key: N = Nitrogen; P2O5 = Phosphate; K2O = Potash; Ca = Calcium; Mg = Magnesium; S = Sulfur; CaCO3 = Calcitic Limestone

**Primary and Secondary Nutrient Sources**
Material	Percentage	Approx. CaCO3 Equiv./100 lb.*	Comments
N	P2O5	K2O	Ca	Mg	S
*Nitrogen Materials*
Ammonium nitrate** NH4NO3	34	0	0	0	0	0	-61
Ammonium nitrate limestone NH4NO3 + (CaCO3 + MgCO3)	20	0	0	6	4	0	0	Ca and Mg depend on limestone used
Ammonium nitrate sulfate NH4NO3 + (NH4)2SO4	30	0	0	0	0	5	-71
Ammonium sulfate** (NH4)2SO4	21	0	0	0	0	24	-110
Anhydrous ammonia** NH3	82	0	0	0	0	0	-148	Pressurized gas
Aqua ammonia NH4OH	16-25	0	0	0	0	0	-36 to -54
Calcium cyanamide CaCN2	21	0	0	11	0	0	+63	Most alkaline N material
Calcium nitrate Ca(NO3)24H2O	15	0	0	21	0	0	+20
Calcium nitrate/urea (Calurea) Ca(NO3)2 + 4CO(NH2)2	34	0	0	10	0	0	-36	Don't blend with superphosphate
Crotonylidene diurea (CDU)	32	0	0	0	0	0	NA	Slow-release
Isobutylidene diurea (IBDU)	31	0	0	0	0	0	NA	Slow-release
Nitrogen solutions (N-SOL or UAN solutions)** (urea/ammonium nitrate): 32% UAN (35% urea + 45% A.N.) 30% UAN (33% urea + 42% A.N.) 28% UAN (30% urea + 40% A.N.) 21% AN (60% A.N. + 40% water) 19% AN (54% A.N. + 46% water)	32 30 28 21 19	0 0 0 0 0	0 0 0 0 0	0 0 0 0 0	0 0 0 0 0	0 0 0 0 0	-55 -52 -49 -37 -33	Solutions code: 320(0-45-35) 300(0-42-33) 280(0-40-30) 210(0-60-0) 190(0-54-0)
Potassium nitrate KNO3	13	0	44	0	0	0	+26
Sodium nitrate (nitrate of soda) NaNO3	16	0	0	0	0	0	+29
Urea** CO(NH2)2	45	0	0	0	0	0	-81
Urea (sulfur coated) CO(NH2)2 + S	36-38	0	0	0	0	13-16	-118	N release depends on S coating
Ureaform (urea + formaldehyde)	38	0	0	0	0	0	-68	Slow-release
*Phosphorous Materials*
Ammoniated superphosphate	12-17	22-35	0	***	0	***	-7
Ammonium phosphate** Diammonium phosphate (DAP) (NH4)2H2PO4 Monoammonium phosphate (MAP) NH4HPO2	18 11	46 48	0 0	0 1	0 0	0 0	-70 -65
Ammonium phosphate nitrate NH4H2PO4.NH4NO3	30	10	0	0	0	0	-54
Ammonium phosphate sulfate 4NH4H2PO4. x (NH4)2SO4	16	20	0	0	0	15	-76 to -113	Mixture
Ammonium polyphosphate** (NH4)HP2O7 + (NH4)5P3O10	10	34	0	0	0	0	--	Liquid
Basic Slag	0	0-6	***	3-29	***	***	+70	Analysis variable
Bone meal (steamed) Ca3(PO4)2 + CaCO3	0-2	10-20	0	19-25	0	0	+20
Concentrated superphosphate** (triple superphosphate) Ca(H2PO4)2. x H2O	0	46	0	14	0	2	0
Nitric phosphate	12-17	22-35	0	***	0	***	-20
Normal superphosphate Ca(H2PO4)2. x H2O + CaSO4	0	20	0	21	0	11	0
Phosphate rock	0	2-35	0	***	***	0	+10	Total P2O5 relatively unavailable
Phosphoric acid** H3PO4 Wet-process acid Concentrated wet-process acid Superphosphoric acid	0 0 0	30 40-54 76	0 0 0	0 0 0	0 0 0	0 0 0	-63 -84 to -110 -110	Liquid
Urea-ammonium phosphate	23	35	0	0	0	0		Research mixture
Urea phosphate CO(NH2)2 + H3PO4	17	44	0	0	0	0	-82	Research
*Potassium Materials*
Greensand	0	1	6	0	0	0		Natural low-grade, mineral
Potassium carbonate K2CO3 solid K2CO3 liquid	0 0	0 0	48 34	0 0	0 0	0 0	+70 +50
Potassium chloride** KCl(muriate of potash)	0	0	60	0	0	0	0	Most widely used, single fertilizer material
Potassium magnesium sulfate** (sulfate of potash magnesia) K2SO4. 2MgSO4 or MgSO4. K2SO4. 6H2O	0	0	21	0	11	23	0
Potassium metaphosphate KPO3	0	59	39	0	0	0	***
Potassium nitrate (nitrate of potash) KNO3	13	0	44	0	0	0	+26
Potassium sulfate (sulfate of potash) K2SO4	0	0	52	0	0	16	0
*Calcium Materials*
Calcium chloride CaCl2	0	0	0	36	0	0	0	Water soluble
Burned lime CaO	0	0	0	70	0	0	+178
Calcitic limestone** (ground) CaCO3	0	0	0	36	0	0	+95 to 100
Dolomitic limestone** (ground) CaCO3 + MgCO3	0	0	0	24-30	6-12	0	+95 to 108
Selma chalk	0	0	0	32	0	0	+80
Gypsum** CaSO4. 2H2O	0	0	0	22	0	18	0	Solubility = 0.02 lb./gal.
Hydrated lime Ca(OH)2	0	0	0	50	0	0	+134	Solubility = 0.01 lb./gal.
*Magnesium Materials*
Dolomitic limestone** (ground) CaCO3 + MgCO3	0	0	0	24-30	6-12	0	+95 to 108	Analysis variable; must contain at least 6% Mg
Magnesium ammonium phosphate MgNH4PO4. 6H2O	8	40	0	0	15	0		Solubility = 0.001 lb./gal.
Magnesium oxide MgO	0	0	0	0	45	0	+250	Solubility = 0.00062g/100g 0.001 oz./gal.
Magnesium sulfate** (epsom salt) MgSO4. 7H2O	0	0	0	0	10	13	0	Solubility = 7.6 lb./gal.
Magnesium sulfate (Kieserite) MgSO4. H2O	0	0	0	0	17	23	0	Solubility = 4.7 lb./gal.
Potassium magnesium sulfate** (sulfate of potash magnesia) K2SO4. 2MgSO4	0	0	21	0	11	23	0	Soluble
*Sulfur Materials*
Ammonium sulfate** (NH4)2SO4	21	0	0	0	0	24	-110	Available in prilled or water-soluble crystals
Ammonium thiosulfate** (60% solution) (NH4)S2O3	12	0	0	0	0	26		Liquid; reacts with alkaline materials
Elemental sulfur (S): Wettable S Flowable S Flowers of S	0 0 0	0 0 0	0 0 0	0 0 0	0 0 0	90-100 52-70 90-100	-312 -218 -312	Elemental S must be oxidized to sulfate before available to plants
Gypsum ** CaSO4. 2H2O	0	0	0	22	0	18	0
Magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) MgSO4. 7H2O	0	0	0	0	10	13	0	Soluble
Potassium magnesium sulfate**	0	0	21	0	11	23	0
Potassium sulfate K2SO4	0	0	52	0	0	16	0	Soluble
Sulfuric acid H2SO4	0	0	0	0	0	20-26	-62 to -81	Liquid; highly reactive
* Negative value indicates net acidifying effect on soil; positive value indicates net basic reaction in soil. Commonly available materials * Present in undetermined amounts Symbol Key: N = Nitrogen; P2O5 = Phosphate; K2O = Potash; Ca = Calcium; Mg = Magnesium; S = Sulfur; CaCO3 = Calcitic Limestone

Micronutrient Materials

Materials Nutrient Content

Copper (Cu)

Chelated Cu*:
Cu EDTA
Cu HEDTA 13% Cu
9% Cu

Cupric ammonium phosphate
Cu(NH4)PO4. H2O 30% Cu

Cupric Oxide (CuO) 60-80% Cu

Copper sulfate*:
CuSO4. H2O
CuSO4. 5H2O
CuSO4. 3Cu(OH)2 35% Cu
25% Cu
13-53% Cu

Copper frits 40-50% Cu

Copper polyflavonoid 6% Cu

Boron (B)

Borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate)
Na2B4O7. 10H2O 11% B

Boric acid (H3BO3) 17% B

Boron frit/sodium borosilicate 6% B

Calcium borate (colemanite)
Ca2B6O115H2O 10% B

Fertilizer borate* (sodium tetraborate)
Borate Granular (Na2B4O7. 5H2O)
Borate 48 14% B
15% B
48 refers to
percentage B2O3

Solubor*
Na2B4O7 20% B
66% B2O3

Magnesium borate (boracite)
2Mg3B8O15. MgCl2 21% B

Iron (Fe)

Basic slag 10-13% Fe

Ferric sulfate Fe2(SO4)3. 4H2O 20% Fe

Ferrous sulfate* FeSO4. 7H2O 20% Fe

Ferrous ammonium sulfate
(NH4)2SO4. FeSO4. 6H2O 14% Fe

Ferrous ammonium phosphate
Fe(NH4)PO4. H2O 29% Fe

Ferrous oxalate FeC2O4. 2H2O 30% Fe

Ferrous carbonate
FeCO3. H2O 42% Fe

Iron chelates*:
Fe DTPA
Fe EDTA
Fe EDDHA
Fe HEDTA 10% Fe
9-12% Fe
6% Fe
5-9% Fe

Iron ligninsulfonate 5-11% Fe

Iron polyflavonoid 6-10% Fe

Iron Frits 40% Fe

Manganese (Mn)

Basic clag 1-3% Mn

Manganese frits 10-25% Mn

Manganese chloride
MnCl2 17% Mn

Manganese carbonate
MnCO3 31% Mn

Manganese oxide
MnO 68-70% Mn

Manganese sulfate*
MnSO4. 4H2O 24% Mn

Manganese chelate*
Mn EDTA 12% Mn

Manganese ammonium phosphate
Mn(NH4)PO4. H2O 28% Mn

Manganese polyflavonoid 8% Mn

Molybdenum (Mo)

Ammonium molybdate
(NH4)6Mo7O24. 2H2O up to 54% Mo

Sodium molybdate*
Na2MoO4. 2H2O 38-46% Mo

Molybdenum frit 30% Mo

Superphosphate trace as impurity

Zinc (Zn)

Zinc chelate*
Na2Zn EDTA 9-14% Zn

Zinc ammonium phosphate
Zn(NH4)PO4. H2O 34% Zn

Zinc sulfate*
ZnSO4. H2O 22-36% Zn

Zinc sulfide ( sphalerite) 61% Zn

Zinc oxide
ZnO 78-80% Zn

Zinc ligninsulfonate 5-12% Zn

Zinc polyflavonoid 7-10% Zn

* Commonly used materials

**Micronutrient Materials**
Materials	Nutrient Content
*Copper (Cu)*
Chelated Cu*: Cu EDTA Cu HEDTA	13% Cu 9% Cu
Cupric ammonium phosphate Cu(NH4)PO4. H2O	30% Cu
Cupric Oxide (CuO)	60-80% Cu
Copper sulfate*: CuSO4. H2O CuSO4. 5H2O CuSO4. 3Cu(OH)2	35% Cu 25% Cu 13-53% Cu
Copper frits	40-50% Cu
Copper polyflavonoid	6% Cu
*Boron (B)*
Borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) Na2B4O7. 10H2O	11% B
Boric acid (H3BO3)	17% B
Boron frit/sodium borosilicate	6% B
Calcium borate (colemanite) Ca2B6O115H2O	10% B
Fertilizer borate* (sodium tetraborate) Borate Granular (Na2B4O7. 5H2O) Borate 48	14% B 15% B 48 refers to percentage B2O3
Solubor* Na2B4O7	20% B 66% B2O3
Magnesium borate (boracite) 2Mg3B8O15. MgCl2	21% B
*Iron (Fe)*
Basic slag	10-13% Fe
Ferric sulfate Fe2(SO4)3. 4H2O	20% Fe
Ferrous sulfate* FeSO4. 7H2O	20% Fe
Ferrous ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4. FeSO4. 6H2O	14% Fe
Ferrous ammonium phosphate Fe(NH4)PO4. H2O	29% Fe
Ferrous oxalate FeC2O4. 2H2O	30% Fe
Ferrous carbonate FeCO3. H2O	42% Fe
Iron chelates*: Fe DTPA Fe EDTA Fe EDDHA Fe HEDTA	10% Fe 9-12% Fe 6% Fe 5-9% Fe
Iron ligninsulfonate	5-11% Fe
Iron polyflavonoid	6-10% Fe
Iron Frits	40% Fe
*Manganese (Mn)*
Basic clag	1-3% Mn
Manganese frits	10-25% Mn
Manganese chloride MnCl2	17% Mn
Manganese carbonate MnCO3	31% Mn
Manganese oxide MnO	68-70% Mn
Manganese sulfate* MnSO4. 4H2O	24% Mn
Manganese chelate* Mn EDTA	12% Mn
Manganese ammonium phosphate Mn(NH4)PO4. H2O	28% Mn
Manganese polyflavonoid	8% Mn
*Molybdenum (Mo)*
Ammonium molybdate (NH4)6Mo7O24. 2H2O	up to 54% Mo
Sodium molybdate* Na2MoO4. 2H2O	38-46% Mo
Molybdenum frit	30% Mo
Superphosphate	trace as impurity
*Zinc (Zn)*
Zinc chelate* Na2Zn EDTA	9-14% Zn
Zinc ammonium phosphate Zn(NH4)PO4. H2O	34% Zn
Zinc sulfate* ZnSO4. H2O	22-36% Zn
Zinc sulfide ( sphalerite)	61% Zn
Zinc oxide ZnO	78-80% Zn
Zinc ligninsulfonate	5-12% Zn
Zinc polyflavonoid	7-10% Zn
* Commonly used materials

Organic Fertilizer Materials (Approximate Values)

Material N P2O5 K2O Ca Mg S Micro-
nutrients Acidic (-)
Neutral (0)
Alkaline (+) Comments

Blood (dried) 12-15 3 1 * * * * -

Blood meal 15 1 1 * * * * -

Bone meal (steamed) 0-2 10-20 0 19-25 0 0 +

Compost (garden) Variable depending upon components and amendments

Cottonseed meal 6-7 2.5 1.5 * * * * -

Cottonseed hull ash 0 27 * * +

Cotton motes
(composted gin wastes) 2 0.5 3 4 0.7 0.6 * - May contain weed seed

Fish scrap
(acidulated) 7-10 1-2 0 * * 2 - Traces of I and Hg

Fish scrap
(dried fish meal) 9 3 6 * * *

Hay:
Legume
Grass 3.0
1.5 1.0
0.5 2.4
1.9 1.2
0.8 0.2
0.2 0.3
0.2 *
* -
-

Manure: (dried)
Cattle
Horse
Poultry
Broiler litter
Hen-caged layers
Hen-litter
Sheep
Swine 1.5
0.4

3.0
1.5
1.8
0.6
0.6 1.5
0.2

3.0
1.3
2.8
0.3
0.4 1.2
0.3

2.0
0.5
1.4
0.2
0.1 1.1
*

1.8
6
*
*
* 0.3
*

0.4
0.4
*
*
* *
*

0.3
0.3
*
*
* *
*

*
*
*
*
* -
-

+
+
+
-
- Feedlot manure usually
contains 60-70% water

Average moisture = 20%
Average moisture = 70%
Average moisture = 37%

Peat/Muck 2.3 0.5 0.7 * *

Sawdust (mixed soft + hard woods) 0.2 0 0.2 - High C:N ratio; needs N fert.

Seaweed (dried) 0.7 0.8 5.0 * * * * +,-

Sewage, sludge
(dried, municipal) 5 6 0.5 3 1 1 + Depending on source, may contain heavy metals. Use only on nonfood-producing areas

Tankage 7 1.5 3-10 * * * * -,+

Wood ashes 0 2 6 20 1 * + 70% CaCO3 equivalent

* Present in undetermined amounts.
Symbol Key: N = Nitrogen; P2O5 = Phosphate; K2O = Potash; Ca = Calcium; Mg = Magnesium; S = Sulfur; CaCO3 = Calcitic Limestone