Regarding a fertilizer labeled 24-0-8, which statement is correct?

• A. It contains 24 percent nitrogen.
• B. It contains 24 percent phosphorus.
• C. It indicates the soil pH.
• D. It delivers 24 pounds of nitrogen per acre.

Answer: (A)

Fertilizer labels use a three-number rule to show the percentage by weight of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in that order (N-P-K). A label reading 24-0-8 means 24% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 8% potassium. So the statement that it contains 24 percent nitrogen is correct because the first number always represents nitrogen content.

Phosphorus content is zero, so it does not contain phosphorus. The label does not indicate soil pH—pH is a separate soil test result, not part of the N-P-K labeling. As for delivering 24 pounds of nitrogen per acre, that would depend on how much fertilizer you spread per acre; the 24% nitrogen could translate to 24 pounds of nitrogen per 100 pounds of product, but you’d only reach that amount per acre if you apply exactly 100 pounds of the fertilizer per acre.