Nutri-Phite - Patented Phosphite Fertilizer

Introduction

Compare graphite (pure carbon), to carbon monoxide (CO) a poisonous gas to carbon dioxide (CO2). All these compounds are very similar in chemical composition - but the addition of an atom of oxygen to each compound markedly changes the nature and reactivity of the resulting molecule.

Such is the difference between Biagro Nutri-Phite® and conventional fertilizer. Nutri-Phite® is based on a phosphorus atom combined with three oxygen atoms PO3– this compound is called phosphite (or a phosphonate when derived in a plant).

Conventional phosphate fertilizers have the same phosphorus atom combined with four oxygen atoms PO4 – this compound is called a phosphate.

The biological differences between these two compounds are remarkable even though chemically they are very similar.

Phosphite is very plant active, because it is slightly unstable - phosphite tends to react and to do things. Phosphite is water soluble, it is easily absorbed by the plant both through the roots and the LEAVES.

On the other hand, the chemistry of phosphate is very similar to a ROCK. In fact, traditional phosphorus fertilizers are manufactured from mined materials (ROCKS) and must be applied at very high rates to do any good. The reason is because phosphate is very, very stable. For one reason or another, only a small portion is available to the plant.

It is not surprising that the original phosphorus fertilizers contained phosphate. Phosphate is found in nature and the extraction and processing methods are over a century old. However, just because it was the first method, does not mean it is the "best" in all situations.

CHEMICAL DIFFERENCES

PO4 PHOSPHORIC ACID (Phosphate), PO3 PHOSPHOROUS ACID (Phosphite) AND PHOSPHONIC ACID (Phosphonate)

Compare Phosphoric Acid to Phosphorous Acid

Phosphates

When phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) is neutralized with a base, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), a salt results. The salt of phosphoric acid is a phosphate. For example:

Phosphoric Acid

(For convenience, the salt is routinely referred to as "potassium phosphate" with potassium dihydrogen phosphate and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate serving as phosphate fertilizers).

Phosphite

When phosphorous acid (H₃PO₃) is neutralized with a base, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), a salt results. The salt of phosphorous acid is a phosphite. For example:

Phosphorous Acid

The biological derivative of phosphorous acid is a phosphonate. A break-down product of a phosphonate is phosphonic acid.