If a fertilizer is labeled 5-10-20, what percentage of nitrogen is in the fertilizer?

In a fertilizer labeled 5-10-20, the numbers represent the percentage by weight of three key nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) respectively. The first number indicates the percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer. Therefore, in this case, the fertilizer contains 5% nitrogen. This means that for every 100 pounds of the fertilizer, 5 pounds are nitrogen.

Understanding this labeling system is important for applying the correct type and amount of fertilizer based on the nutritional needs of different plants or crops. Each number is a clear indicator of how much of each nutrient is present, allowing for informed decisions in agricultural practices.