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Quality of Commonly Used Fertilizers Collected from Different Areas of Bangladesh

K. M. Mohiuddin
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

F. R. Era
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. S. H. Siddiquee
National Agriculture Training Academy, Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh

M. M. Rahman
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Total 54 fertilizer samples were randomly collected from the markets of four districts of Bangladesh to assess nutrient and heavy metal (Cd, Cr & Pb) contents in different fertilizers. The chemical analyses of fertilizers were conducted at the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Nutrient status of fertilizers was determined using the standard procedures and heavy metals in the fertilizer extract were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Nitrogen (N) content in urea collected from different areas ranged from 41.37 to 46.27%. Biuret content of the collected urea samples varied from 1.40 to 2.80%, where the maximum allowable limit (MAL) is 1.50%. Among the six urea samples, biuret content exceeded the MAL in five samples. Phosphorous (P) content in most of the triple superphosphate (TSP) samples was higher than the specified amount. Out of eight samples, only two samples contained less than 20% P. Out of eight diammonium phosphate (DAP) samples, only three samples contained lower amount of P than the specified amount and five samples contained lower amount of N than the specified amount. Chromium content in all the DAP samples were much higher than the MAL. Potassium (K) content in all five collected muriate of potash (MoP) samples were lower than the specified amount with an average of 45.81% K. The concentration of sulphur (S) in fertilizer samples in the investigated area varied from 16.50 to 21.60%. Out of six magnesium sulphate samples, five samples contained lower than the specified amount (9.5%) of Mg. The concentration of boron (B) in solubole samples varied from 13.55 to 19.56%, which are lower than the standard limit (20.90%). The concentration of zinc (Zn) in all the collected zinc sulphate heptahydrate samples had lower amount of Zn than the standard limit (23%). Only one out of six collected copper sulphate samples, met the specified limit of Cu (25.40%). Total 42 fertilizer samples (77.80%), out of 54, had less than the specified amount of nutrients. Heavy metals like Pb and Cr content exceeded the MAL in 67% and 47% of collected fertilizer samples, respectively. Cadmium content was below the detectable limit of flame in AAS in all the samples. In order to minimize the impact of fertilizer adulteration on food security and safety, continuous monitoring of fertilizer quality is required.

Keywords: Adulteration, Heavy metal, Quality, Fertilizers, Nutrient

Location: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Start Date: 01-01-2016

End Date: 02-02-2016

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

The present research study was planned to identify nutritional composition of different fertilizers collected from different areas of Bangladesh and to determine the levels of nutrient and heavy metals (Cr, Cd & Pb) in fertilizers and compare the content of heavy metals with the standards for maximum allowable limits.

Methodology:

Fertilizer samples were collected from local markets of 4 districts of Bangladesh: Mymensingh, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Bogra. Fertilizers sampling were performed during January to February, 2016. Collection of fertilizer samples Total 54 fertilizer samples were collected from the local market of selected districts. Fertilizers were: 6 urea samples, 8 triple superphosphate samples, 8 diammonium phosphate samples, 5 muriate of potash samples, 6 magnesium sulphate samples, 4 gypsum samples, 6 zinc sulphate heptahydrate samples, 5 solubole samples and 6 copper sulphate samples. A small portion of the material from different parts of each container was drawn with an appropriate sampling instrument. Then, the collected sample was mixed thoroughly to obtain a composite sample. The composite sample size was reduced by the method of quartering if the composite sample was much larger than about 2 kg in weight.
Preparation of test sample -The composite samples were spread out on a clean and hard surface. The samples were divided into three more or less equal portions, not less than 0.5 kg each to obtain the test sample. Then, each test sample was immediately transferred to a suitable container provided with an air tight stopper. The gross sample was reduced to quantity sufficient enough for analysis or grinding, not less than 0.25 kg of reduced sample without previous sieving. The reduced sample was ground in porcelain mortar with pestle in order to pass through a sieve with 1 mm circular opening or 20 mesh sieve for moist fertilizer or 40 mesh sieve for dry fertilizer. It was mixed thoroughly and stored in an air tight bottle (Cattalo and Robinson, 2001). Exactly 1g of the ground prepared fertilizer samples were weighed and taken in 100 mL volumetric flask. Approximately 800 mL of water was added to the flask and shaked thoroughly to dissolve the fertilizer. Then the solution was filtered through filter paper (Whatman No. 1) twice and finally the volume was made up to 100 mL and stored in a plastic container (Lindsay et al., 2003). Nutrient contents (N, P, K, Mg, S, B, Cu & Zn) of different fertilizer samples were determined by standard methods of analysis (Page et al., 1982; Tandon, 2013). Biuret content in urea fertilizers were determined spectrophotometrically (Geurts et al., 1968). Heavy metals (Cd, Cr & Pb) in fertilizer samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) (SHIMADZU, AA-7000; Japan). Mono element hollow cathode lamp was employed for the determination of each heavy metal of interest. At first, AAS was calibrated following the manufacturer’s recommendation. The filtered fertilizer sample was run directly for the determination of heavy metal in fertilizer samples. A standard curve was prepared by plotting the absorbance reading on Y-axis versus the concentration of each standard solution of metal on X-axis. Then, the concentration of metal in the fertilizer samples of interest was calculated by plotting the AAS reading on the standard line.
Statistical analysis The statistical analysis of the analytical results obtained from fertilizer samples under consideration was performed (Gomez and Gomez, 1984).

Source of Information: J Bangladesh Agril Univ 15(2): 219–226, 2017

Article Link (Online Journal): doi: 10.3329/jbau.v15i2.35066

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Out of 54 samples, only 42 fertilizer samples (77.8%) had less than specified amount of nutrients and contained heavy metals like Pb and Cr, which were more than the maximum allowable limit in 67% and 47% of collected fertilizer samples, respectively. Cadmium content was below the detectable limit for all the fertilizer samples. In order to minimize the impact of adulteration of fertilizers on food security and safety, continuous monitoring is required.

Knowledge Management: Journal