253323478 Chemistry Project on Fertilizers

CHEMISTRY Investigatory Project

Kamal Singh 12th A K.V. 2 Colaba Mumbai

FERTILIZERS

Certificate This is hereby to certify that the original and genuine investigation work has been carried out to investigate about the subject matter and the related data collection and investigation has been completed

solely, sincerely and satisfactorily by Kamal Singh a student of class 12th A of Kendriya Vidyalaya 2 Colaba Mumbai , regarding his project titled “Fertilizers” .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT EXAMINER SIGNATURE

TEACHER SIGNATURE

It would be my utmost pleasure to express my sincere thanks to my Chemistry teacher

Mrs.Shilpa Rana mam in providing a helping hand in this project. Her valuable guidance, support and supervision all through this project are responsible for

attaining its present form. I would also like to thank my parents and friends as they encouraged me to put forward my project.

CONTENTS  Background of study  Statement of the problem  Hypothesis  Significance of the study  Score and Limitation  Definition of terms  Experimentation and

Analysis

Bibliography

INTRODUCTION Plants need to be fertilized because most soil does not provide essential nutrients required for optimum growth. Even if the person is lucky enough to start with great garden soil, as your plants grow, they absorb nutrients and leave the soil less fertile. Nutrients in the soil also help plants grow strong. Some nutrients that plants need are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. Fertilizers, also known as food elements, are materials produced to supple these elements in a readily available form of plant use. It helps to make plants grow faster which help some farmers and gardeners for their business. Choosing the right fertilizer help us to get everything we need from the plants we eat or from the meat of animals that eat plants. Plants are factories that do all of the work to process the basic elements of life and make them available to us.

Fertilizers help feed the world. The FARO has stated that “after land and water, fertilizers are probably the most important input leading to increased yields”. It is inherently difficult to estimate the share of fertilizers in increasing agricultural output since so many factors are involved. It has been estimated that fertilizer contribute about 40% of the nitrogen in human protein consumption, it follows that nearly one third of this protein depends on fertilizers. Therefore, it is important for us to know which fertilizers to use for us to sustain properly the needs of every plant. Increased crop production largely relies on the type of fertilizers used to supplement essential nutrients for plants. Fertilizer application is required to replace crop land nutrients that have been consumed by previous plant growth with the ultimate goal of maximizing productivity and economic returns. Now a day, there is increased emphasis on the impact on soil environment due to continuous use of chemical fertilizers. The impact of chemical fertilizer application on agricultural land is seen not only in terms of the soil quality but also on the survival of soil organisms dwelling there in. Chemical fertilizers provide three major plant nutrients; nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium or NPK. However, the ever increasing cost of commercial fertilizer products driven, in part, by the inevitable depletion of global phosphorus, is forcing producers to look for alternative sources like bio-fertilizers and other organically-based solutions. In literature, some researchers have concluded the chemical fertilizers

to be harmful for soil organisms but on the contradictory they have been supported too to be beneficial as far as their food supply is concern. The primary advantages of using biosolids as a fertilizer alternative are cost efficiencies and the presence of nutrients and organic matter. Returning these valuable materials back to the soils is a critical element in long-term sustainability.

Statement of the problem This research aim to compare 2 different brand of fertilizer: Chemical fertilizer and Citrus Sinensis Peeling (bio-fertilizers), specifically the researchers sought to answer the following questions:

 How do the researchers determine the effectively of these product?  What are advantages and disadvantages of using these fertilizers?  Which fertilizer will make plants grow faster and healthier?  Which fertilizer is better and safer to use: Citrus Sinensis Peeling or branded fertilizer?

Hypothesis The researchers will determine the effectivity of the product by testing the effectivity of 2 brand of fertilizer in separate plants (Plant A and Plant B). After the testing, the researchers will record the result and make a statement about the research.

Significance of the study The study is beneficial to: 1. Farmers and gardeners- the benefit of this study will help them to improve the quality of their products, save time with their work, and get a higher profit. 2. Environment- the benefit of this study will help our environment by helping the soil and plants to sustain their needs and provide the essential nutrients required for optimum growth. 3. Agricultural company- the benefit of this study will help them to give a good service to their customers by giving them a high and good quality products (ex: rice, vegetables, and fruits) 4. Community- the benefit of this study will help the community to sense this as a source of income if made into a business.

Score and Limitation The following information of this research will come from different textbooks, surveys of different researchers, information stated of the product, and some information in the internet about the subject which is plants and fertilizers. The factors to

consider covered by this study are to evaluate the effectiveness, cost, and functionality of the fertilizer. Through the study shows high feasibility, there are still boundaries that shall be set to further facilitate the research process. In the study, there shall be two set-ups; thus set-up A: plant fertilized with citrus sinensis peelings, set-up B: plant fertilize with branded fertilizer. The researchers will then identify its difference. The following limitations are:  Sunlight is one of the important materials in doing this study. Without sunlight, this experiment can’t be processed.  Some informations gathered from surveys, questionnaires and reference materials.  Cost and availability that will be covered from this study.  Time management

Definition of terms    

 

The following technical terms are defined in this study. Nitrogen- tasteless odorless gaseous chemical element Phosphorus- poisonous waxy chemical element Potassium- silver white metallic chemical element Calcium- a soft gray alkaline earth metal, fifth most abundant element by mass in the earth’s crust. Sulfur- an abundant, multivalent non-metal Citrus Sinensis- the scientific name of sweet oranges. It is what most consumers commonly buy.

Experimentation

The research about the comparison between 2 different brands of fertilizer was aimed to help the community to be aware of the importance of fertilizers and also to give them the information in which fertilizer to use for their plants. Books, internet, and other references materials were used as the primary sources of information to strengthen the researchers’ view on this topic. But these were not enough, so experiments were conducted by the researchers to gain additional information. A.

Materials:

 Pot A and Pot B  Good quality of soil  Seeds to be use (any kind of plant: pechay)  Water  Sunlight  Branded Fertilizer  Orange peelings

Methodology Procedure:

1. Sow seeds thinly on shallow furrows across the seed pot, and cover lightly with fine topsoil. Do not broadcast seeds when sowing to avoid thick germination in one place. 2.

Water the seed pot daily. Watering and other cultural management practices should be regularly done.

3. Apply liberal amount of fertilizer (Citrus Sensis Peeling for pot A and branded fertilizer for pot B) at the base of the plants, then cover lightly with soil and water immediately. 4. Water the plant whenever necessary or depending on your own judgment or observation of the plant 5. Always remember to give both pots a presence of sunlight for their process of growing. 6.

Every week, measure the height of both plants.

Observe As long as the researchers followed the procedures, success of experimentation will be

achieved. Factors such as sunlight could affect the study. In addition, if this is not available, possible that this study could fail. However, researchers could try it once more again and again until the study is evaluated.

Analysis of fertilizers Elements: NITROGEN: Major fertilizers containing N: (a) Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) (b) Potassium nitrate (KNO3) (c) Urea (NH2CONH2) (d) Ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2SO4]

Preparation: Most of nitrogen fertilizers are obtained form synthetic NH3. This chemical compound is used as gas or in water solution or it is converted to salts. Nitrogen Deficiencies (a) Pale, green, yellow leaves (b) Stunted growth Nitrogen in Excess – (a) Lower disease resistance (b) Weaken stem (c) Decay maturity (d) Lower fruit quality

PHOSPHORUS: Major fertilizers containing P: (a)DAP – Diammonium phosphate [(NH4)2PO4] (b)Ca3(PO4)2 – Calcium phosphate (c)Triple phosphate and super phosphate Preparation: Most phosphoric fertilizers are obtained by the treatment of calcium phosphate with H2SO4 and phosphoric fertilizers. Calcium phosphate is mainly derived from phosphate rock and bones. Phosphate rock is found in

deposits of sedimentary origin laid down on beds of ocean floor. Phosphorus deficiencies – (a) Pale purple colour on the underside of leaves (b) Reduced flower, fruits and seed production Advantages of P: 1. Encourage cell division 2. Hastens maturity, offsetting quick growth caused by N 3. Encourage root growth 4. Increase disease resistance Phosphorous in excess 1. Causes dehydration of roots 2. Increase soluble salt content of medium POTASSIUM: Major fertilizers containining K: 1. Potassium chloride (Potash) 2. Potassium nitrate (KNO3)

Preparation: It is the seventh most abundant element found in earth’s crust. Potassium chloride which is principal commercial form of potash and some KNO3 is also used for production of potash fertilizer. Potassium deficiencies:

1. Leaves appear dry and scorched 2. Irregular yellow areas on the surface Advantages of K: 1. Increase disease resistance 2. Encourage healthy root and stems 3. Essential for starch formation 4. Efficient use of CO2 Potassium in excess 1. Affects soil acidity 2. Reduced flower, fruit and seed production

Fertilisers V Experiment 1. Take a pinch of fertilizer + few drops of dil. H2SO4 2. Take a pinch of fertilizer + few drops of conc. H2SO4

Observation No reaction

Inference Dil. group absent

No reaction

Conc. group absent

3. Take 1 ml No reaction of soda extract and acidify it with

Volatile group absent

dil HCl. Add few drops of BaCl2 soln. to it. 4. A pinch of fertilizer + few drops of NaOH soln. Heat it.

No reaction

Zero group absent

5. Take 1 ml of O.S (original solution) in a solution and to it add few drops of dil. HCl

No reaction

1st group absent

6. Take 1 ml of O.S (original solution) in a solution, to it add few drops of dil. HCl. Warm the solution, and pass H2S gas.

No reaction

2nd group absent

7. Take 1 ml No reaction of O.S (original solution) in a solution and to it add few drops of dil. HCl .add few drops of conc. HNO3.heat it. Cool it. Add a pinch of solid NH4Cl followed by excess of NH4OH. 8. Take 1 ml No reaction of O.S (original solution) in a solution and to it add few drops of dil. HCl. Add a pinch of solid NH4Cl followed by excess of NH4OH. Warm the solution and pass H2S

3rd group absent

IV group absent

gas. 9. Take 1 ml White ppt of OS + few drops of dil. HCl + a pinch of solid NH4Cl + 1 or 2 ml of (NH4)2CO3

V group present, may be Ba2+, Kr2+ or Ca2+

10. Filter the White ppt white precipitate, take a part of it, and dissolve it in minimum amount of CH3COOH. Now add (NH4)2C2O4

Ca2+ confirmed.

11. Flame test

Ca2+ confirmed.

Brick red flame

RESULT Fertilizer has Ca2+ as cation. (The fertilizer detected is Vermi Compost). *****

Fertilizer–III Experiment

Observation

Inference

1. Take 1 ml Prussian blue Nitrogen of Lassaigne colour present in Solution elemental (L.S.)* in a form. test tube and to it add few drops of freshly prepared ferrous sulphate solution. Heat it. Cool it. Add few drops of conc. H2SO4

RESULT The given fertilizer has N in elemental form. (The fertilizer detected is urea).

(Urea)

O.C.N + Na NaCN

FERTILIZER 5(vermi compost) Ca2+ (aq) + CO32(aq) CaCO3 (s) +2CH3COOH + CaCO3 Ca [CH3COO]2 + H2O +CO2+Ca2+ (aq) +C2O42CaC2O4(s)

BIBLIOGRAPHY Following Books and websites were a source for my project.

 Wikipedia  NCERT Chemistry Textbook for class 12  ECO CORP.  Google