If a fertilizer has an analysis with zero as the middle number, e.g., 15-0-15, then under Michigan law, the product is guaranteed to be phosphorous free.

If a fertilizer has an analysis with zero as the middle number, e.g., 15-0-15, then under Michigan law, the product is guaranteed to be phosphorous free.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Cannot determine

Answer: (B)

The middle number in a fertilizer’s guaranteed analysis represents phosphorus content expressed as P2O5. If that number is zero, it means phosphorus as P2O5 is not guaranteed to be present. But Michigan law doesn’t automatically call a product phosphorus-free just because the middle number is zero. Phosphorus can exist in forms or amounts not captured by the guaranteed analysis, or the law’s definition of “phosphorus-free” may involve more than the guaranteed P2O5 figure. So a zero in the middle does not guarantee that the product is truly phosphorus-free.

The middle number in a fertilizer’s guaranteed analysis represents phosphorus content expressed as P2O5. If that number is zero, it means phosphorus as P2O5 is not guaranteed to be present. But Michigan law doesn’t automatically call a product phosphorus-free just because the middle number is zero. Phosphorus can exist in forms or amounts not captured by the guaranteed analysis, or the law’s definition of “phosphorus-free” may involve more than the guaranteed P2O5 figure. So a zero in the middle does not guarantee that the product is truly phosphorus-free.