Calculate the area of the pot, then calculate the quantity of each fertilizer (dividing the recommended quantity/ha by area of ha, 10000 m3 and multiply by area of the pot). You can convert the value to grams from kg by multiplying by 1000. Remember that quantity of  source fertilizer has also to be calculated (For example for getting 150 g of N you have to apply 150 x 100/46 =326.09 g of urea).  Dissolve the calculated quantities in water and apply uniformly to the pot.

Calculate the area of the pot, then calculate the quantity of each fertilizer (dividing the recommended quantity/ha by area of ha, 10000 m3 and multiply by area of the pot). You can convert the value to grams from kg by multiplying by 1000. Remember that quantity of  source fertilizer has also to be calculated (For example for getting 150 g of N you have to apply 150 x 100/46 =326.09 g of urea).  Dissolve the calculated quantities in water and apply uniformly to the pot.

Dear Vijay,

Indeed calculate the amount needed, but also consider that the application method will depend on the objective of your study. You can apply the fertilizers on the surface or some even mix it with the soil. Both have their particular pro's and con's and specific treatment conditions (e.g. how do you water your plants) that need to be weighted depending on the objective of your study.

Best

Prem

Yes, I agree to Bindraban.

Dr.Meena,If the pots have sufficient area and depth, one can apply fertilizers on the basis of area as in field experiments.But normally the pots have small area and depth.Depth- wise placement of fertilizer also may  be difficult .The purpose of the study is also important.In pot studies one can go for application of fertilizer on weight basis also,assuming 1 ha field weighs 2,240,000 kg up to 15 cm depth. Calculated amount of fertilizer may dissolved water and  mixed with soil thoroughly,before bring ing the soil to field capacity.Moisture regime in pots  is also maintained by weighing the pots daily.

The purpose in any pot experiment  is first to get good plant growth so that we can test our variable, whether it is a fertilizer dose or microbial inoculation because root growth is restricted in 10 kg and even 20 kg soil pots, During last three decades in dozens of pot experiments conducted by me and published,  I have always used only on soil weight basis (not area) and applied in whole soil (pre-mixed P,K and strarter dose of N)   twice the amount: which means that to simulate 30,60,90 and 120 kg/ha field N application I apply 30,60,90 and 120 ppm (which is actually 2x) . Only the second and third dose of N I applied as solutions  on surface and irrigated. For practical reasons and in certain experiments only, I  have weighed the pots weekly and made up evapo-transpiration losses.

I agree with the details given by Dr.Desiraju. Application of fertilizers by weight basis is normally practiced.When I did potted studies in green house at Agricultural college Bapatla,we used to apply N double the dose as mentioned by Dr.Desiraju. We also applied a micronutrient solution once in a week.Regarding watering,initially we used to keep the pots in a water filled  tray to bring the soil to field capacity by capillary action without disturbing the soil.Watering at later stages of crop growth is difficult especially in summer in green house.Based on evapo- transpiration/soil moisture, one can apply calculated amounts of water gently using a small can or beaker .

Dr. Subba Rao,

Yes, we have observed that fertilizer applied on weight basis does suffice the total requirements of plants. Deficiency symptoms were observed later.  We have to double the dose in that case, especially N, as you suggested..  Fertilizer applied on area basis and mixed in surface 15 cm or applied dissolved in water proved very useful.

Another suggestion in pot experiments Dr. Meena: The  method of packing the pots makes a big difference in responses to almost all interventions. The correct method used by soil fertility and microbiology scientists was to sieve the field moist soil (without destroying aggregates) and fill the pre-calculated soil to the desired bulk density and irrigate few times to allow natural setting.  We used to get good results. But in my later association with soil physicists (who are obsessive about uniform transmission and wetting fronts) we were taught to grind the soil and pack dry soil into columns and pots with fine packing with wooden rods to the desired BD.  Result: all the drying, grinding, re-wetting results  in so much N mineralisation that it masks any effects of biological interventions unless very dramatic. For instance effects of microbial inoculation with nitrogen fixers was very difficult to observe under such conditions. So kindly use field moist, sieved soils.

Dr Meena

Hope you fine

Please go to the link below may be enrich the discussion by contributing to solve the issue of calculating the fertilizer amount in a pot experiment? Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Which_is_the_best_procedure_to_calculate_the_seed_rate_or_fertilizer_amount_in_a_pot_experiment

Yes, thislink may be useful.

Dear Vijay Singh Meena

hope you are fine.

No doubt the strong information concerning this topic is needed for any researcher.

So, please go to an open discussion in research gate, have similar trend may help you.

The discussion in a title;(Which is the best procedure to calculate the seed rate or fertilizer amount in a pot experiment). The discussion in the following link;

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Which_is_the_best_procedure_to_calculate_the_seed_rate_or_fertilizer_amount_in_a_pot_experiment.

Also, there is booklet also benefit in your issue (The booklet attached)

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Which_is_the_best_procedure_to_calculate_the_seed_rate_or_fertilizer_amount_in_a_pot_experiment

Abdalla uploaded very good and useful documents regarding this discussion.

Thanks a lot, brother Nazir Hussain

Just measure the pot area and apply the fertilzer according to kg/ha

 If one desires to simulate the conditions of field experiments in pot culture,the pot should have sufficient area and depth.The depth of fertilizer application is a concern if fertilizer is applied on area basis rather than  on soil weight basis.In pot culture the fertilizer  is mixed in the whole volume of soil.Procuring sufficient soil to fill in large pots is also a concern if good number of treatments and replications are involved in the study.

Thanks, Drs. Rao and Ali Sir for your valuable inputs.

it depends on the purpose of your study..