### fertilizer:

Agricultural fertilizer
* Most agricultural fertilizer contains phosphorus
* Some agricultural fertilizer contains chloride
  - potassium chloride
* are the main source of nitrate in ground water
  - nutrient pollution in downstate Illinois

Cheap fertilizer
* Most cheap fertilizers contain fast release nitrogen.
* are usually water soluble, thus, have a high potential to burn the grass.

### fertilizer:

Chemical fertilizer
* Many chemical fertilizers contain the nitrate form of nitrogen, which can harm the plant's roots.
* Most chemical fertilizer contains nutrients
  - uses in farms
  - fertilizers are simply rock or mineral materials rich in nutrient elements
* Some chemical fertilizers can increase soil acidity to levels intolerable to worms.
* Use compost or coffee grounds, bone meal and wood ashes.
* are another source of nitrogen
  - either mixed or manufactured and have the advantage of low cost
  - fine as are organic ones
  - manufactured from nonliving materials
  - usually very uniform and consistent in their plant food content
* cause lush, weak growth that brings in pests by the droves.
* cost twice as much.
* emit greenhouse gases during manufacture and application.
* green up the grass quicker, but leave the grass hungry for more quickly, too.
* leave behind salty residues in the soil.

### fertilizer:

Commercial fertilizer
* Most commercial fertilizers contain all three main nutrients plus some trace elements
  - phosphorus, a major water pollutant
  - salts
  - have a high salt content, which easily can burn the roots of the plants
* are a source of nitrates.
* are also good for bulbs
  - imported and very expensive
  - salts and can burn turfgrass when applied excessively
* contains no organic matter.
* critical component of North American agriculture.
* is often petroleum-based and requires much energy to manufacture.
* is, however, a major source of nitrate.

Dry fertilizer
* are great for preparing soil previous to planting.
* can also be carriers for certain soil-applied herbicides.
* work more slowly but last longer.

Excess fertilizer
* burns roots and causes hard, brittle foliage.
* can be harmful to palms
  - cause burning of the roots if soil moisture is low
  - increase the likelihood of some plant diseases
* moves easily through the soil to the groundwater.
* promotes thatch build-up and disease and promotes excessive growth.
* wash off the lawn and are a major source of stormwater pollution.

Excessive fertilizer
* builds up in the soil and adds to the salt content.
* can be toxic to trees.
* can cause leaf edge burn
  - the tree to fail to produce enough new roots

Fluid fertilizer
* Most fluid fertilizers contain the same basic ingredients as dry fertilizers.
* offer ease of use.

Granular fertilizer
* are easier to apply evenly to lawns and require less time
  - more traditional and are available in numerous formulations
* deliver food to a plant slowly but have the advantage of longevity.

### fertilizer:

Inorganic fertilizer
* Most inorganic fertilizer provides nutrition
  - fertilizers are synthetic
* are man made formulas that can be formulated for various speeds of release.
* can be one of the major sources of groundwater pollution
  - lead to excessive growth
* come in granules or as water-soluble crystals.
* completes the balance of nutrients a soil needs to be considered good soil.
* contain manmade products.
* contains nitrates, which can be absorbed by plants straightaway.
* exclude carbon-containing materials except ureas.
* release their nutrients relatively quickly when dissolved in water.