In a fertilizer formula such as 10-6-4, the last number represents which nutrient?

In a fertilizer formula such as 10-6-4, the last number represents which nutrient?

• A. Nitrogen
• B. Phosphorus
• C. Calcium
• D. Potassium

Answer: (D)

Fertilizer labels use a three-number format to show the amounts of three essential nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Each number represents the percentage by weight of that nutrient in the mix. The first number is nitrogen, the middle number is phosphorus (often given as P2O5), and the last number is potassium (often given as K2O). So in a formula like 10-6-4, the 4 indicates potassium content. Potassium helps with overall plant vigor, water regulation, and disease resistance, while calcium isn’t shown in this N-P-K trio unless the fertilizer is formulated to include it separately.

Fertilizer labels use a three-number format to show the amounts of three essential nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Each number represents the percentage by weight of that nutrient in the mix. The first number is nitrogen, the middle number is phosphorus (often given as P2O5), and the last number is potassium (often given as K2O). So in a formula like 10-6-4, the 4 indicates potassium content. Potassium helps with overall plant vigor, water regulation, and disease resistance, while calcium isn’t shown in this N-P-K trio unless the fertilizer is formulated to include it separately.