Studies of Fertilizers with Three Nutrients and Micronutrients on Conformity Drip Irrigation Systems

As a result of the changes in climatic conditions, especially in precipitation, the water usage methods of the producers have changed in parallel and drip irrigation systems started to be used widely. A very small amount of drip irrigation fertilizers is produced by the Turkish fertilizer industry, and therefore they are mostly imported from abroad. In this study, fertilizers produced by large fertilizer companies and imported by these companies are examined. The main purpose of this study is to determine the conformity of the compound three-nutrients and micronutrient fertilizers used in drip irrigation system, in accordance to the "Regulation on the Surveillance and Inspection of Fertilizers on the Market" (EC fertilizers) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry dated 29.03.2014, number 28956. Some physical and chemical properties as well as heavy metal contents of the fertilizers supplied from the market and fertilizer factories in their original packaging were investigated. As a result of the examination of 56 threenutrient and 13 micro-nutrient-containing fertilizers according to the relevant regulation, it was seen that 35 of the three-nutrient fertilizers and 5 of the fertilizers containing micro-nutrients were determined to be out of the tolerance values of the regulation, so they were not suitable for the fertigation system. Therefore, it was determined that 40 out of 69 fertilizers were not in compliance with the regulation. If the heavy metal contents are examined on the basis of the tolerance values applied by China and Japan, it can be said that 10 (5xHg, 4xCd and 1xHg) fertilizers do not conform to drip irrigation system. Fertilizers were examined in terms of radioactivity and 238U and 232Th were not found to be threatening for human health. It is believed that the samples do not contain 40K and the defined values are natural. The results of this current study will be useful in making fertigation and fertilization programs to be prepared based on soil and water analyses or whether to use those fertilizers.