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All crops and other plant-life require basic nutrients to ensure healthy growth and high yields.
Agrium is a LEADING PRODUCER of these MAJOR CROP NUTRIENTS:
Plant nutrients are the “foods” which plants need to manufacture the food we eat. These nutrients -- nitrogen, phosphate and potash -- occur naturally in the soil in varying quantities and forms. However, in many growing areas there are insufficient nutrients for the continuous crop rotations required to produce sufficient food.
Our 14 production facilities in North and South America transform naturally occurring nitrogen, phosphate and potassium elements from the earth and air into useable forms for plant uptake. We market our products across North America and around the world in order to enhance crop yield and quality.
Nitrogen, commonly referred to by the symbol N, is a naturally occurring element in air. It is needed by plants to produce proteins, chlorophyll, and for green healthy growth. Most plants and crops have limited ability to convert nitrogen from the air into a usable form. These crops require additional nitrogen from the application of mineral fertilizers for proper growth.
The process of converting naturally occurring nitrogen into a form usable by plants begins by combining nitrogen from the air with hydrogen from natural gas under heat and pressure, to form ammonia. Ammonia can then be upgraded to nitrogen solutions or dry products such as urea. In addition to its nutrient properties, nitrogen is used in the manufacture of industrial plastics, resins, pharmaceuticals, adhesives and refrigeration coolants.
Phosphate is commonly referred to by the symbol P. Plants need phosphate to stimulate root development and flowering and to help in the prevention of disease and stress. Phosphate nutrients are produced from phosphate ore mined from deposits formed by the remains of marine life or by volcanic activity. The phosphate manufacturing process combines phosphate rock with sulphur to produce a phosphoric solution. This phosphoric solution is upgraded to liquid fertilizers or combined with ammonia to form dry products such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) or diammonium phosphate (DAP). Phosphate is also used in the manufacture of soft drinks, detergents and pharmaceuticals.
Potash or potassium is referred to by the symbol K. The minerals containing potassium are mined from naturally occurring ore bodies that formed deep underground as the seas and oceans evaporated. Unwanted minerals are then removed and the product is sized and granulated. Used as a nutrient, potash regulates water balance, enzyme activity, starch and protein synthesis and nitrogen uptake. Its industrial applications include the manufacture of soaps, perfumes, de-icing agents, water softeners and pharmaceuticals.
The three basic nutrients are applied in a variety of blends and forms in order to address varying soil conditions and crop requirements in different growing regions. Modern agronomic science recommends a properly balanced application of nutrients to maximize crop yields and maintain the integrity and quality of the soil.
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