What are commercial fertilizers primarily based on?

Commercial fertilizers are primarily based on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (often referred to as N-P-K). These three nutrients are essential for plant growth and play significant roles in various physiological functions. Nitrogen is crucial for leaf growth and development as it’s a key component of chlorophyll, the molecule responsible for photosynthesis. Phosphorus is vital for energy transfer and root development, while potassium helps strengthen plant tissues and is involved in regulating various physiological processes, including water uptake and enzyme activation.

Other options, while important in certain contexts, do not define commercial fertilizers as a category. For instance, vitamin content is not a primary concern for fertilizer formulation since plants typically synthesize their vitamins from nutrients rather than requiring them from soil amendments. Organic matter content can enhance soil health and nutrient availability but is not the focus of commercial fertilizers, which are usually synthetic or processed materials designed for specific nutrient delivery. Finally, while trace elements are important for plant health, they are present in much smaller quantities than the primary macronutrients and are often included in specific supplements rather than being the main component of commercial fertilizers.