The primary difference between simple and compound fertilizers lies in their composition: simple fertilizers contain only one nutrient, while compound fertilizers contain two or more nutrients.
Here's a breakdown:
Simple Fertilizers (Straight Fertilizers)
- Definition: These fertilizers supply only one primary nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium).
- Composition: Consist of a single chemical compound.
- Examples:
- Urea (Nitrogen)
- Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) (Phosphorus) - While DAP contains both Nitrogen and Phosphorus, it's often categorized as a straight fertilizer primarily for its Phosphorus content.
- Muriate of Potash (MOP) or Potassium Chloride (Potassium)
- Ammonium Nitrate (Nitrogen)
- Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) (Phosphorus)
- Potassium Sulfate (Potassium)
Compound Fertilizers (Mixed Fertilizers)
- Definition: These fertilizers contain two or more primary nutrients combined in a single granule or mixture.
- Composition: Produced by chemically reacting or physically blending different fertilizer materials. The form of the original materials may change during the manufacturing process.
- Examples:
- Nitrophosphates (Nitrogen and Phosphorus)
- Ammonium Phosphate Sulfates (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur)
- NPK fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) - e.g., 15-15-15, 20-10-10
Table Summarizing the Differences
| Feature | Simple Fertilizer | Compound Fertilizer |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrients | One primary nutrient | Two or more primary nutrients |
| Composition | Single chemical compound | Mixture or chemical reaction of multiple compounds |
| Manufacturing | Relatively simple | More complex, involving mixing or chemical reactions |
| Examples | Urea, MOP, Ammonium Nitrate, MAP | NPK fertilizers, Nitrophosphates, Ammonium Phosphate Sulfates |
In essence, simple fertilizers are single-nutrient sources, while compound fertilizers provide a combination of nutrients in one application, streamlining the fertilization process.
