Properties of Slow-release Fertilizers

Establishment and growth of vegetation on the materials found at reclamation sites generally requires the addition of some soil amendment or fertilizer to improve the status of the material as a medium for plant growth. The amendments in use are limestone and gypsum. While they may supply the plant nutrients calcium and sulphur they are principally used to correct an acid pH or excessive salinity problem. Fertilizers, on the other hand, are used because they contain one or more of the major plant nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and, in specific situations, sulphur and micronutrients. The amount and analysis to be used is dependent on the specific requirement for each nutrient element at each site. It deserves repeating that the amount and analysis is dependent on the specific requirements of a site, hence a general recommendation is about as rreaningful as making a statement that a baby needs food without knowledge of the baby's age.