Don’t be Duped by Miracle Fertilizers

Over the past year, some companies have attempted and some apparently have succeeded in bypassing North Dakota fertilizer registration laws according to Dave Franzen, North Dakota State University Extension soil science specialist.

To be registered in the state, the product must show, on its label, a guaranteed analysis of major fertilizer nutrient content and the analysis must live up to the guarantee within certain limits. "That way an end-user knows that if a product advertises 10-10-10 that it truly does have that concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium," Franzen says.

Products that advertise "biological activator," "soil conditioner," "works like conventional products at a fraction of the rate" and other nearly magical claims need to have some local independent research-based data to support those claims according to Franzen.

"Recently, some companies have conveniently forgotten to include their sales claims in their registration packet and only submitted the name and guaranteed analysis. Some of these products have been registered, so the buyer needs to be especially aware of sales pitches that sound too good to be true."

In evaluating a product, producers should understand that a North Dakota fertilizer registration is not an endorsement of the product. All it means is that the ingredients labeled have been found in the product.

Be extremely skeptical of any product that claims it:

• works at low rates compared to other fertilizers
• enhances biological activity
• is registered by an organic growers association (these groups don’t test efficacy. They only determine if the ingredients are truly organically derived.)
• releases the nutrients inherent in the soil
• gets rid of salts and alkali
• efficacy is backed up by testimonials and research from some distant area
• contains microorganisms that produce nutrients (except for legume inoculants)
• lacks local, independent research to back up its claims

Franzen is the North Dakota representative on the North Central Region committee on non-conventional amendments and additives. "We share information, including independent research on these kinds of products and have evaluations on many products available," he says.

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