Code of Maryland Regulations (Last Updated: April 6, 2021) |
Title 15. Maryland Department of Agriculture |
Subtitle 18. STATE CHEMIST |
Chapter 15.18.03. Commercial Fertilizer and Soil Conditioner |
Sec. 15.18.03.08. Nutrient Deficiency or Excess
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A. A fertilizer is deficient in, or contains an excess of, one or more of its guaranteed nutrients if it contains less than, or more than, the allowances established in §B of this regulation, and is subject to a penalty as provided in Regulation .09 of this chapter.
B. Tolerance Table.
(1) A commercial fertilizer's primary nutrients are out of tolerance if the analysis of any fertilizer nutrient exceeds or falls below the guarantee by more than the following values:
Primary Nutrient Tolerance Table* Guaranteed Total Nitrogen (Percentage) Available Phosphate (Percentage) Soluble Potash (Percentage) Percentage Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum 04 or less 049 1.0 0.67 1.0 0.41 1.0 05 0.51 1.0 0.67 1.0 0.43 1.0 06 0.52 1.5 0.67 1.5 0.47 1.5 07 0.54 1.5 0.68 1.5 0.53 1.5 08 0.55 1.5 0.68 1.5 0.60 1.5 09 0.57 1.5 0.68 1.5 0.65 1.5 10 0.58 2.0 0.69 2.0 0.70 2.0 12 0.61 2.0 0.69 2.0 0.79 2.0 14 0.63 2.0 0.70 2.0 0.87 2.0 16 0.67 2.0 0.70 2.0 0.94 2.0 18 0.70 2.0 0.71 2.0 1.01 2.0 20 0.73 2.0 0.72 2.0 1.08 2.0 22 0.75 2.0 0.72 2.0 1.15 2.0 24 0.78 2.0 0.73 2.0 1.21 2.0 26 0.81 2.0 0.73 2.0 1.27 2.0 28 0.83 2.0 0.74 2.0 1.33 2.0 30 0.86 2.0 0.75 2.0 1.39 2.0 32 or more 0.88 2.0 0.76 2.0 1.44 2.0 * For guarantees not listed, calculate the appropriate value by interpolation.
(2) A commercial fertilizer's secondary nutrient or micronutrient is out of tolerance if the analysis of any nutrient is above or below the guarantee as described in the following table:
Secondary Nutrient or Micronutrient Tolerance Table Element Allowable Deficiency* Allowable Excess Calcium 0.2 unit + 5% of guarantee NA (Not Applicable) Magnesium 0.2 unit + 5% guarantee NA Sulfur 0.2 unit + 5% of guarantee NA Boron 0.003 unit + 15% of guarantee 50% Cobalt 0.0001 unit + 30% of guarantee 50% Molybdenum 0.0001 unit +30% of guarantee 50% Chloride** 0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee 0 (None) Copper 0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee 50% Iron 0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee 50% Manganese 0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee 50% Sodium 0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee 50% Zinc 0.005 unit + 10% guarantee 50% * The maximum allowance when calculated in accordance with this table is 1 unit (1 percent). ** The maximum allowable amount of chloride used as a micronutrient in a tobacco fertilizer is 2 percent by weight.
C. A deficiency in an official sample of mixed fertilizer resulting from nonuniformity is not distinguishable from a deficiency due to actual plant nutrient shortage and is subject to a stop-sale or penalty.