Generic Hero BannerGeneric Hero Banner
Latest Market News

Policy updates

  • Spanish Market: Fertilizers
  • 12/08/25

GLOSSARY

Argus has introduced a glossary of sustainable and specialty fertilizer terms below. This list is not exhaustive and will be enlarged as market coverage expands.

Zero/low carbon footprint fertilizers

Nitrate-based mineral fertilizers with exactly the same chemical and physical composition as fertilizers produced with fossil sources (natural gas, coal, oil) but with a much lower carbon footprint because they are produced with renewable electricity (hydro, wind, solar).

Organic fertilizer

Materials of animal or vegetable origin used to maintain or improve plant nutrition and the physical and chemical properties and biological activity of soils. They may include manure, digestive tract content, compost and digestion residues.

Organo-mineral fertilizer

A fertilizer made by reacting or mixing one or more organic fertilizers.

Water-soluble fertilizer

Fertilizers that dissolve very easily in water and are applied to the crop in the drip irrigation water and foliar application (directly to the leaves) to raise nutrient use efficiency; drip irrigation cuts nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions while foliar application is targeted where nutrients are delivered directly to plant tissues; easy to adjust nutrient concentrations to plant's changing needs.

Bio stimulant

Products that reduce the need for fertilizers and raise plant growth, resistant to water and abiotic stresses (drought, salinity and cold). They stimulate the plant's innate ability to absorb nutrients.

Microbial

A nutrient-rich and environmentally friendly biological fertilizer made from plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR).

Enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs)

Fertilizers that cut losses to the environment and/or raise nutrient availability compared to conventional fertilizers. A newer term for formulations that control fertilizer release.

Coated fertilizers

Coatings control fertilizer solubility. Coated fertilizers provide a prolonged supply of nutrients offering reduced costs and more uniform plant nutrition.

Fertilizer inhibitors

A compound added to a nitrogen-based fertilizer to reduce losses when the fertilizer has been applied to the crop.

Nano fertilizer

Nutrients that are encapsulated or coated within nanomaterial in order to enable controlled release, and subsequent slow diffusion into the soil.

Nutrient use efficiency (NUE)

Critical in sustainable farming practices, it is the ability of plants to use fertilizer efficiency for growth and optimal yield.

Blue ammonia

Made from nitrogen and "blue" hydrogen derived from natural gas, with the carbon dioxide by-product from hydrogen production captured and stored.

Green ammonia

Ammonia which is 100pc renewable and carbon free, for example produced from renewable power and water.

Grey ammonia

Also known as conventional ammonia and produced from natural gas. Currently emits two tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of ammonia.


Generic Hero Banner

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more