Spring is the peak season for fertilizer sales and usage. However, in recent years, fake and substandard fertilizers have occasionally appeared on the market, deceiving many farmers. This not only causes direct financial losses but also delays planting schedules and negatively impacts agricultural productivity.
When purchasing fertilizers, it's important to pay attention to the packaging. Legitimate chemical fertilizers are usually produced by reputable manufacturers and come with clear labels that include the product name, nutrient content, net weight, and origin. On the other hand, fake or degraded fertilizers often have poor-quality packaging, with a high breakage rate, incomplete or illegible information, and sometimes even use Pinyin instead of Chinese characters to mimic imported products.
Price is another key factor to consider. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for." Fake fertilizers are typically sold at prices much lower than those of high-quality alternatives on the market. This should raise a red flag for any buyer.
In terms of variety, counterfeit fertilizers often mimic common types such as compound fertilizers (e.g., diammonium phosphate), urea, superphosphate, liquid fertilizers, and foliar fertilizers. When buying these products, extra caution is necessary to avoid being deceived.
The appearance of the fertilizer can also provide clues. Different types of fertilizers have distinct physical characteristics. For example, ammonium bicarbonate is white and has a strong ammonia smell; urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium chloride are all white granular crystals. Superphosphate appears as a grayish powder with an acidic taste, while triple superphosphate has uniform, large particles without any odor. Calcium magnesium phosphate is a gray powder with no smell, and potassium sulfate is a white crystalline powder. Diammonium phosphate is yellowish or iron-gray in color, with uneven particle size and a noticeable ammonia smell in humid conditions.
Additionally, some fertilizers like ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium chloride may leave a slight residue when rubbed between fingers, similar to ash or lime. Similarly, compound fertilizers containing ammonium phosphate often emit an ammonia-like odor when touched. Being aware of these signs can help farmers identify genuine products and avoid falling victim to fraud.
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