Information Package / Course Catalogue
Fertilizers and Fertilizing in Field Crops
Course Code: TBB311
Course Type: Non Departmental Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 1
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 4
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to introduce the basic properties of organic and chemical fertilizers used in field crops, general trends in fertilizer production and consumption, fertilizer classification, and the main principles of fertilization in major field crops; and to provide students with basic knowledge and awareness of fertilization.

Course Content

An overview of fertilizer production and consumption; organic fertilizers, farmyard manures, compost, and green manuring; classification of chemical fertilizers and interpretation of fertilizer labels; basic properties of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and compound fertilizers; introduction to fertilizer application time and methods; and basic fertilization approaches for major field crops such as wheat, maize, and cotton.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Explains the importance of fertilizer use in field crops in terms of production, yield, and sustainability.
2.Classifies organic, chemical, and compound fertilizers according to their basic properties.
3.Knows the basic functions of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic fertilizers in plant nutrition.
4.Evaluates fertilizer label information, nutrient forms, and basic application times.
5.Interprets basic fertilization principles in major field crops in terms of yield and quality.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.IFA, 1992. World Fertilizer Use Manual.Int. Fert. Assoc. Paris.
2.Kacar, B., Katkat, A.V., 2007. Gübreler ve Gübreleme. 2. Baskı. Nobel Yayınları, Ankara.
3.Fageri, N.K., Baligar, V.C., and Jones, C.A., 1997. Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Field Crops. 2nd Ed. Marcel Dekker Inc. New York.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Overview of fertilizer production and consumption; importance of fertilization in field crops for yield and food security
Week 1 - Practice
Examination of graphs and basic indicators related to fertilizer production and consumption
Week 2 - Theoretical
Classification of fertilizers; concepts of organic and inorganic fertilizers
Week 2 - Practice
Comparison of fertilizer groups using examples
Week 3 - Theoretical
Farmyard manures; barn manure, animal manure potential, and factors affecting quality
Week 3 - Practice
Basic calculations on nutrient content and application rates of farmyard manure
Week 4 - Theoretical
Compost and composting; process stages, C/N ratio, moisture, temperature, and maturity
Week 4 - Practice
Evaluation of compost materials in terms of suitability and risks
Week 5 - Theoretical
Green manuring; green manure crops, nutrients added to the soil, and timing of use
Week 5 - Practice
Classification of green manure crops as legumes and non-legumes
Week 6 - Theoretical
Chemical fertilizers; reading fertilizer labels, N-P²O5-K²O expression, and fertilizer forms
Week 6 - Practice
Practices on calculating pure nutrient amounts from fertilizer labels
Week 7 - Theoretical
Nitrogen fertilizers; CAN, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, urea, and their basic properties
Week 7 - Practice
Comparison of nitrogen fertilizers according to N form, pH effect, and use area
Week 8 - Theoretical
Behavior of nitrogen fertilizers in soil and introduction to application timing
Week 8 - Practice
Evaluation of N losses, leaching, and split application examples
Week 9 - Theoretical
Phosphorus fertilizers; TSP, DAP, MAP, and reactions of phosphorus in soil
Week 9 - Practice
Comparison of phosphorus fertilizers by solubility, placement, and soil pH
Week 10 - Theoretical
Potassium and compound fertilizers; K²SO4, KNO³, KCl, and NPK fertilizers
Week 10 - Practice
Evaluation of potassium fertilizers in terms of chloride sensitivity and crop quality. Quiz exam
Week 11 - Theoretical
Fertilizer application methods; broadcasting, band placement, foliar fertilization, and introduction to fertigation
Week 11 - Practice
Comparison of the advantages and limitations of application methods
Week 12 - Theoretical
Basic fertilization principles in wheat and barley cultivation
Week 12 - Practice
Examination of basic N, P, K fertilization approaches for wheat using examples
Week 13 - Theoretical
Basic fertilization principles in maize cultivation; C4 physiology, target yield, and nutrient uptake
Week 13 - Practice
Basic fertilization assessment for maize according to target yield and soil analysis
Week 14 - Theoretical
Basic fertilization principles in cotton cultivation; pH, salinity, organic matter, and quality relationships
Week 14 - Practice
Evaluation of basic soil factors affecting fertilization decisions in cotton. Course Participation and Performance Assessment
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Quiz1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141242
Lecture - Practice142142
Quiz1011
Midterm Examination1516
Final Examination1819
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)100
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
OÇ-1
3
3
OÇ-2
2
2
1
4
OÇ-3
3
4
OÇ-4
3
4
OÇ-5
4
3
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026