Customized fertilizers are designed to meet specific crop nutritional needs using macro and micro nutrients from varied sources, aiming for maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness in application. Value-added fertilizers enhance crop yields by supplying additional nutrients and addressing deficiencies in soils, thus contributing to sustainable agriculture and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Indian fertilizer policy emphasizes the necessity for site-specific nutrient management, making customized and fortified fertilizers pivotal in improving agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact.

1. CUSTOMIZED FERTILIZER
AND
VALUE ADDED FERTILIZER
APS 516
Pragya Naithani
45979
Ph.D. Agronomy

2. What is customized Fertilizer ?
Source: Soil Health: Technological Interventions, 2019
Defined as multi nutrient carrier designed to contain macro and / or micro nutrient
forms, both from inorganic and/or organic sources, manufactured through a systematic
process of granulation, satisfying the crop’s nutritional needs, specific to site, soil and
stage, validated by a scientific crop model capability developed by an accredited
fertilizer manufacturing/marketing company.
The objectives –
• To provide site specific nutrient
management
• To achieve maximum fertilizer use
efficiency for the applied nutrients
• To attain cost effective fertilizer
application
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3. • A fertilizer composition with additional nutrients as compared to conventional
fertilizers, from additional sources such as humic acids, amino acids, treated
biochar and proteoglycans etc., which when applied increase yields with
reduced fertilizer use.
• The deficiency of secondary and micronutrients can thus be overcome easily by
fortification of the presently manufactured N/P/NP/NPK fertilizers
• Value-added fertilizers can increase crop yields by 14 to 17 percent compared
with same amount of traditional fertilizers.
What is Value-added / fortified fertilizers?
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4. • For sustainable food production - depleting soil organic matter, imbalance in fertilizer
use, emerging multi-nutrient deficiencies, declining nutrient use efficiency, declining
crop response ratio, and negative soil nutrient balance
(Das and Mitali 2015)
• As a part of SSNM- right proportion of nutrients at right time at right place to avoid
nutrient deficiency and toxicities
(Kumar and Yadav 2005).
• According to Fertilizer policy (2017), Indian agriculture, a true example of intensive
agriculture, is required to be intensified with site specific nutrient management,
fortified fertilizers, customized fertilizers etc.
•
• Low Organic carbon content in Indian tropical and subtropical regions – low available
nutrients in soils and fertilizers use efficiency. To achieve high fertilizer recovery
efficiency, agronomic efficiency and crop yield levels, customized fertilizer and value
added fertilizer needs consideration
(Majumdar and Prakash 2018).
• By cutting down fertilizer overuse, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, in some
cases up to 50% which can be the way to tackle climate change
(Singh. 2014).
Need for CF and FF
4

5. 5
An example of how customized fertilizer works

6. An example of value added fertilizers

7. • In north western India, secondary nutrients (S) and micronutrients (Zn, B, Fe, Mn)
deficiencies are reported, which can be tackled with the use of value added fertilizers
• Although, K is sufficiently available, K response was found better after application of
customized fertilizers
(Singh et al., 2007)
• The soil survey of India reported in many areas soils and ground water were affected
by nitrate pollution (Handa 1986; Kakar 2008; Rawat and Singh 2010). Thus, it is
quite essential to avoid overuse and go for usage of fertilizers as per the demand of
crop.
CF & FF:- holistic nutrition solution
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8. • They are highly crop, site and soil specific.
• Customized fertilizers are distinct and ready to use
• Most common form :-
Granulated fertilizers (for soil application);
Water soluble form (for drip irrigation, mini sprinkler, and foliar
spray systems)
(Rakshit et al. 2012).
Characteristics of CF and FF
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9. • To determine the optimal grades of customized fertilizer Decision Support System for
Agro Technology Transfer (DSSAT), Crop Model etc. are used or area specific and crop
specific soil testing results should be used
• The manufacturer may be in association with Agricultural Universities/KVKs concerned
• Manufacturer should also conduct agronomy tests of the proposed grade to establish its
agronomic efficacy, for at least one season.
• For basal application size of granule -with minimum 90% between 1-4 mm IS sieve and
with maximum 5% below 1mm
• The moisture content should not exceed 1.5% in granules
• Foliar application grades should be 100% water soluble
• Tolerance limit should not exceed 3% for all nutrients particularly when secondary and
micronutrients are also present along with NPK.
(FCO. 1985)
Guidelines in customized fertilizer manufacturing
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10. The fertilizer grades are designed based on soil test crop response (STCR) and response curve
(RC) approach or some of the software like Decision Support System for Agro Technology
Transfer (DSSAT), Crop Models etc.
Arrival at fertilizer recommendations
10
The steps involved in arrival of fertilizer recommendation :-
Geographical mapping or Geo-referencing of chosen region or
field.
Selecting of sampling points based on appropriate statistical
procedure.
Sampling and Analysing of sites.
Analysing soil, plant and water samples for nutrient availability,
nutrient uptake by crop and other soil characteristics.
Defining management zones and yield targeting in major
management zones.
Computing crop removal of nutrients.
Calculating nutrient requirement of soil and crop.
Blending of nutrients based on generated information.

11. • Manufacture of customised fertilizers involves mixing and crushing of urea, DAP,
MOP, Zn, S, bentonite sulphur and boron granules to obtain the desired proportion of N,
P, K, S and micronutrients.
• The fertilizer mixture is then subjected to steam injection, drying, sieving and cooling,
so as to get a uniform product with every grain having the same nutrient composition.
• The present day invention relates to novel precise customized fertilizers with controlled
release such as seed encapsulation nutrients, liquid formulation for treating roots of
seedlings before transplantation, for soil application, for foliar application, fertilizer
granules and tablets for effective improvement of crop yield.
Formulations of customized fertilizer
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12. Manufacturing Methodologies
• Chemical granulation: Slurry granulation/ Complex granulation. NPKs are produced by a
chemical reaction between ammonia and sulphuric or nitric acid to form ammonium sulphate or
ammonium nitrate. This is granulated with the addition of discrete. K2O either in solid form or a
liquid form. The process of granule formation comprises accrétion plus agglomération. This
method is not convenient when many customized NPK grades are to be produced.
• Bulk blending: It is simplest and cheapest option available for the production of customized
fertilizers, which involves pure mixing of solid fertilizers in a ratio required to get the desired
nutrient ratio. It only requires a warehouse and weighing and mixing equipment.
• Compaction: Also called as dry granulation process as there is no use of any liquid binders for
making granules.
• Steam granulation: Compound granulation / Physical granulation. Raw material are in solid
form and granulation is formed by the agglomeration process and requires the use of water, steam
and heat in the dryer. Uniform size reduction of the fertilizer material is the key to granulation.
This is the most suited method for the large scale production of customized fertilizers in India and
asian countries
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13. Customized Formulation available in India
• There are about 80 formulation (N, NP, NPK, NPKS available)
• Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) has approved about 36 formulation of customized
fertilizers.
• At present nearly 1 lakh tonne of customized fertilizer is being marketed by four
companies in India - Tata chemical Ltd., Deepak Fertilizers, Nagarjuna
fertilizers and Coromandal industries Ltd.
• Tata Chemicals Ltd.: Paras Farmulae, the country’s first ever CF product
targeted to west and Central UP farmers.
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14. List of customized fertilizers, approved by GoI
14

15. A few more…
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16. 1. Boronated single superphosphate (16 P ,0.15–0.20 B)
2. Zincated urea (43 N, 2 Zn)
3. Zincated phosphate (suspension) (12.9 P, 19.4 Zn)
4. NPK fertilizer fortified with B (10 N, 26 P, 26 K, 0.3 B)
5. NPK fertilizer fortified with B (12 N, 32 P, 16 K, 0.3 B)
6. DAP fortified with B (18 N, 46 P, 0.3 B)
7. NPK fertilizer fortified with Zn (10 N, 26 P, 26 K, 0.5 Zn)
8. NPK fertilizer fortified with Zn (12 N, 32 P, 16 K, 0.5 Zn)
9. Calcium nitrate with B (14.6 N, 0.25 B)
(Formulations are given as % of N, P as P2O5, K as K2O, Zn, B).
List of Value added fertilizers, approved by GOI
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17. Maximum uptake of N (117.3 kg/ha), P (21.4 kg/ha), K (150.5 kg/ha), S (96.1
kg/ha) and Zn (229.9 g/ha) were observed under 150% dose of CF in wheat.
(Dwivedi et al., 2014).
At two different agro climatic zones, customized fertilizer of N: P: K mixture
(CF I) and N: P: K: Zn mixture (CF II) increased the iron, calcium and zinc
contents in grain in finger millet @150 per cent customized fertilizer dose
(Kaleeswari. 2013).
Role of customized fertilizer on nutrient uptake
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18. Nutrient uptake in rice (Oryza sativa L.) as influenced by graded
levels of customized fertilizer
Basavarajappa et al., 2021
Karnataka, India
Customized fertilizer (14:17:17)
100% RDF (125 kg N, 62.5 kg P2O5, 62.5 kg K2O ha-1)
Absolute control (No fertilizer).
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19. Increase in plant height with increase in dose of CF in finger millet at Bengaluru.
(Mudalagiriyappa et al. 2015).
Split dose application of CF in onion were found significant over RDF. Plant height
increased by 10 cm, stem diameter by 1.4 cm, bulb diameter by 4.21 cm, green leaf
yield by 30.1 % and total onion bulb yield by 37.7 %
(Kamble and Kathmale 2015).
Role of customized fertilizer on growth parameters of crops
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20. • Customized Fertilizer application had an additive effect over spike length, spike weight,
100 grain weight (26%), grain yield (16%), no of productive tillers, panicle length
(increased by 4 cm) grain yield over RDF
(Kaleeswari. 2013).
• Application of 150% dose of CF (recommended by Nagarjuna Fertlizer and Chemical
Limited) produced the highest wheat grain yield (4.40 t/ha), straw (5.56 t/ha) and
significantly higher nutrient.
(Dwivedi et al. 2014).
• In finger millet, plant height increased by 31%, no of tillers / hill by 40%, increase in
total dry matter production, 37% increase in no. of ears per hill, 12% increase in test
weight (g), grain yield improved by 35 % and straw yield by 32 %
(Mudalagiriyappa et al., 2015).
Role of customized fertilizer on yield parameters of crops
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21. Effect of different customized fertilizers on growth and yield of different crops in India
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22. Customized fertilizers (N P K Zn B) improved quality parameters like the head rice
recovery (%) and reduce the broken percentage in scented rice
(Kumar et al., 2017)
The CF grades designed based on soil test crop response(STCR) (for a yield target of 45 t
ha-1) and response curve (RC) approach with DFPCL CFG on pomegranate had great
influence on average number of female flowers rather than male with a percent fruit set
(6%) and average yield of “ABC” grade fruits as well as 10% increase in marketable fruit
yield
(Goel, 2009).
Role of customized fertilizer on quality parameters of crop
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23. CF had a considerable effect on soil moisture regime and had increased WUE
under 0.8 IW/CPE ratio in potato
(Irfan, 2017).
The accumulation of NPK and Zn was higher in soil of CF treated rice plots
after harvest as compared to RDF.
(Shyla et al. 2016).
However, in rice field CF did not have significant effect on soil pH, organic
matter, available N, K2O but showed 10% increased by P2O5 in soil
(Kaleeswari, 2013).
Nutrient availability in soil also increased with advancement in crop age due to
split application of CF
(Ali et al. 2007).
Role of customized fertilizer on soil properties
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24. The maximum net energy output was obtained under 150% dose of CF which
was twice the control plot in paddy.
Despite of lower energy output, the control treatment registered highest input:
output energy ratio due to smaller quantum of energy consumed.
(Meshram, 2015).
Role of customized fertilizer on energy use
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25. Mulberry raised with recommended customized fertilizer with FYM had significantly
higher total soluble carbohydrates (17.61%) and crude protein (17.89 %), more total
soluble proteins, reducing sugars and soluble sugar contents.
(Ram Rao et al., 2007).
The application of Customized Fertilizer Grade to the pomegranate orchard was found
significantly beneficial in respect of total marketable fruits, fruits size, aril percentage
and juice percentage
(Goel, 2009).
Role of customized fertilizer on biochemical parameters
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26. Paddy fertilized with CF showed more returns with higher B:C ratio than farmers
practice. Net returns increased 14% over farmers practice
(Dwivedi et al. 2014).
Highest net return were obtained under 1.0 IW/ CPE ratio + customized fertilizers
(N:P:K:Zn:B:S ) and highest benefit : cost ratio (1.78) were also recorded due to low
cost of irrigation and customized fertilizers in potato.
(Irfan, 2017).
B C ratio was double in customized fertilizer treated plot as compared to recommended
fertilizer dose or farmers practice in wheat crop
(Shekhon et al. 2012).
Effect of customized fertilizers on economics of cultivation
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27. The compost samples’ were fortified using kaolin (KFC), Ammonium chloride (AFC) and
NPK(NFC) fertilizer .The unfortified compost (UC) served as control.
• % increase in the nitrogen content over UC:- 538.87% KFC , 56.33% AFC and 71.17%
NFC
• % increase in the phosphorus content over UC:- 56.31% KFC , 53.21% AFC and 36.75%
NFC.
• Fortification with kaolin increases the magnesium and calcium content of the compost
samples
• Fortification with NPK and ammonium chloride increased the magnesium content of the
compost sample by 4.20% and 0.93% respectively.
-Achimugu, 2010
Physicochemical characteristics of fortified compost and its effect on the growth of tomato
(Doctoral dissertation, Federal University of Technology Akure).
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Nutrient status of fortified compost over normal compost

28. • In Paddy conventional fertilizers (urea, DAP and MOP) were added on one side and
on the other side Engro Zarkhaz Plus (8-23-18) was used.
• Zarkhaz Plus treatment yielded 12% more than conventional fertilizers.
• Zarkhaz Plus (8-23-18) is a blended fertilizer used at the time of sowing in which the
presence of organic fillers and bio-stumulents.
-Muhammad Hasnain, 2021
Institute of Soil Chemistry and Environmental Sciences
Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad
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Effect of value added fertilizers on yield of paddy

29. • Maximizing crop yields per unit use of fertilizer
• Minimizing unwanted impacts on the environment and human health.
• As the micro-nutrients are also added they prevent micronutrient deficiency in plant.
• The farmer need not buy micronutrient fertilizers or secondary nutrient fertilizers
separately, thus reducing the total cost and increasing B:C Ratio
• Incorporation of micro-nutrient with fertilizer results in uniform distribution of
micro-nutrient
• Customized fertilizers resolves the issue of poor fertilizer use efficiency
The benefits of customized fertilizer and value added fertilizer
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30. Most important issues which hinder the marketing of CF and FF
• High cost of CF and FF, also not subsidized by Government of India.
• Necessity of investing heavy capital in state of the art manufacturing
facility for CF and FF
• Limited awareness and very low affordability among the farmers.
• Uncertainty in response when fertility is restored in the field.
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31. • Achimugu, M. O. (2010). Physicochemical characteristics of fortified compost and its effect on the growth of tomato (Doctoral
dissertation, Federal University of Technology Akure).
• Ali, M.K., Alam, M.F., Alam, M.N., Islam, M.S. and Khandaker, S.M.A.T.(2007). Effect of nitrogen and potassium level on yield and
quality seed production of onion. Journal of Applied Science and Research. 3(12): 1889-1899.
• Amarnath, G. (2012). Nagarjuna group, NFCL EHSQ Environment, Health, Safety and Quality Express news service.
• Carlier, E, Rover, M., Jaume, A.R. and Rosas, S.B. (2008). Improvement of growth under field conditions, of wheat inoculated with
Pseudomonas chloraphis subsp. aurentia SR1. World Journal of Microbiolgy and Biotechnology. 24: 2653-2658.
• Dahiya, S., Usha, Jaiwal, P.K. and Singh, R.P. (2004). Efficient nitrogen assimilation and high productivity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
applied with organic matrix based slow release nitrogen fertilizers. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants. 10: 83-92.
• Das, D.K. and Mitali, M. (2015). Advanced Technology of Fertilizer Uses for Crop Production. In: Fertilizer Technology. Vol. 1 synthesis,
[(Eds) Shishir Sinha, K.K. Pant and Shailendra Bajpai], First Edition Chapter 5, Studium Press, LLC, USA (pp.101-150).
• Dewal, G.S. and Pareek, R.G. (2004). Effect of phosphorus, sulphur and zinc on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum
aestivum). Indian Journal of Agronomy. 49(3): 160-162.
• Dwivedi, S.K., Meshram, M.R. and Pandey, N. (2014). Response of customized fertilizer on wheat (Triticum aestivum) under Chattisgarh
condition. An International Quarterly Journal of Environmental Sciences. 9(4): 1509-1512.
• Fertilizer Association of India-Northern Region. (2011). Fertilizer orientation course 19-20th. Institute of Agricultural Sciences,Banaras
Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Fertilizer Control Order. (1985). Government of India.
• Jat, L., Naresh, R. K., Tiwari, R., Singh, A., & Katiyar, D. (2019). Chapter-5 Advanced and Optimisation Technologies of Fertilizer Uses
on Crop Growth and Quality. AGRONOMY, 99.
• Kadalli G. G & Sujith Goudra Mahadevappa (2021) Nutrient requirement and use efficiency of rice (Oryza sativa L.) as influenced by
graded levels of customized fertilizer, Journal of Plant Nutrition, 44:19, 2897-2911, DOI:10.1080/01904167.2021.1927081
• Prakash Nagabovanalli Basavarajappa, Shruthi, Mallikarjuna Lingappa,
• Ram Rao, D.M., Kodandaramaiah, J., Reddy, M.P., Katiyar, R.S. and Rahmathulla, V.K. (2007). Effect of VAM fungi and bacterial
biofertilizers on mulberry leaf quality and silkworm cocoon characters under semiarid conditions. Caspian Journal of Environmental
Sciences. 5(2): 111-117.
• Rawat S.K. and Singh, R.P. (2010). Seasonal variation of nitrate level in ground and surface water of Lucknow and its remediation using
certain aquatic macrophytes. International Journal of Lakes and Rivers. 3: 25-36.
• Sekhon B.S., Kaur, S. and Singh, P. (2012). Evaluation of a customized fertilizer on wheat. Indian Journal of Ecology. 39(1): 71-75
• Shyla, P.N., Sadatulla, F., Prabhakar, V., Pallavi, Rashmi, S., Babu, S. and Sharma, R. (2016). Influence of customized fertilizers on bio-
chemical composition of V1 Mulberry. International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences.3(3): 261-264.
• Singh, B. (2014). Maintaining healthy soils: challenges and opportunities for the fertilizer industry IFA crossroads Asia-Pacific,
Singapore.
• Singh, R., Kalra, N. and Mehan K. (2007). Fertilizer informatics: Applications in site specific resource and customized fertilizer use
management. Indian Journal of Fertilizers.3(6): 13-54.
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References :-

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