Published: 2015-07-08
Key Benefits:
“Agricultural liming materials” are agricultural minerals composed of calcium or magnesium compounds, or both, which are capable of neutralizing soil acidity and which are distributed in this state for that purpose.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Agricultural mineral” means any substance with nitrogen (N), available phosphoric acid (P2O5), and soluble potash (K2O), singly or in combination, in amounts less than 5 percent which is distributed for farm use, or any substance only containing recognized essential secondary nutrients or micronutrients in amounts equal or greater than minimum amounts specified by the director, by regulation, and distributed in this state as a source of these nutrients for the purpose of promoting plant growth. It shall include gypsum, liming materials, manure, wood fly ash, sewage sludge not qualifying as commercial fertilizer, and captured dilute solutions.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Ammonium nitrate” means solid ammonium nitrate that is chiefly the ammonium salt of nitric acid, contains not less than 33 percent of nitrogen, one-half of which is in the ammonium form and one-half of which is in the nitrate form, and is produced, imported, stored, offered for sale, sold, offered for distribution, received, or intended for use as a plant nutrient.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 490, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2006.)
“Auxiliary soil and plant substance” means any chemical or biological substance or mixture of substances or device distributed in this state to be applied to soil, plants, or seeds for soil corrective purposes; or that is intended to improve germination, growth, yield, product quality, reproduction, flavor, or other desirable characteristics of plants; or that is intended to produce any chemical, biochemical, biological, or physical change in soil; but does not include commercial fertilizers, agricultural minerals, pesticides, soil amendments, or manures. It shall include the following:
(a) Bacterial inoculants.
(b) Biotics.
(c) Lignin or humus preparations.
(d) Microbial products, including genetically engineered microorganisms.
(e) Soil binding agents.
(f) Synthetic polyelectrolytes.
(g) Wetting agents to promote water penetration.
(h) Any similar product intended to be used for influencing soils, plant growth, or crop or plant quality.
(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 361, Sec. 99. Effective January 1, 1997.)
“Biotics” means all materials for which claims are made relating to organisms, enzymes, or organism by-products.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Board” means the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Brand” means any term, design, or trademark used in connection with a fertilizing material product.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Bulk material” means fertilizing materials distributed in nonpackaged form or in a container containing more than 50 kilograms or 110 pounds.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Business location” means any place where fertilizing materials are sold or stored for later sale, except storage of package materials on premises operated exclusively as a public warehouse.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Captured dilute solutions” means solutions that contain low levels of plant nutrients as a result of equipment rinsing and runoff.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Chelates” means compounds, usually organic, which can combine with a metal ion and form a ring structure between a portion of the chelating agent molecule and the metal.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Chelated plant nutrients” means compounds of metallic secondary nutrients and micronutrients with organic chelating agents which have the property of being available under pH conditions in which the nutrients normally form insoluble compounds.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Commercial fertilizer” means any substance which contains 5 percent or more of nitrogen (N), available phosphoric acid (P2O5), or soluble potash (K2O), singly or collectively, which is distributed in this state for promoting or stimulating plant growth. “Commercial fertilizer” includes both agricultural and specialty fertilizers. “Specialty fertilizers” may contain less than 5 percent nitrogen (N), available phosphoric acid (P2O5), or soluble potash (K2O), singly or collectively.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Common carrier” means a company licensed with the Public Utilities Commission that hauls for hire.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Complex” means bonding which includes both of the following:
(a) “Natural organic complexes” means organic by-products of the wood pulp and other industries, such as the lignin sulfonates and polyflavinoids, that form complexes with metallic secondary nutrients and micronutrients. “Natural organic complexes” do not include synthetic chelates in that natural organic complex, generally known as the natural organic chelates which are polymers, for which the nature of the metallic bonding is not known.
(b) “Inorganic complexes” include inorganic cations which form coordinate chemical bonds with other inorganic cations, anions, or neutral molecules, such as where metal-ammonia complexes of zinc or ammonia are coordinately bonded to the metal cation, and which usually reacts differently than the metal alone in solutions, but dissociates in soil and reacts as the uncomplexed cation.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Compost” means a biologically stable material derived from the composting process.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Composting” means the biological decomposition of organic matter which inhibits pathogens, viable weed seeds, and odors. “Composting” may be accomplished by mixing and piling in a way as to promote aerobic or anaerobic decay, or both.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Derivation statement” means the sources of all guaranteed primary nutrients or secondary nutrients, or both, and micronutrients.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Discontinued manufacturing” means an auxiliary soil and plant substance, packaged agricultural mineral, packaged soil amendment, organic input material, and specialty fertilizer that is no longer manufactured, but is still offered for sale.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 257, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2010.)
“Distribute” means to sell, offer, expose for sale, exchange, barter, or otherwise supply products for use in, or shipment within or into, this state.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Distributor” means any person who imports or consigns a fertilizing material or who offers for sale, sells, barters, or othewise supplies this product for use in, or shipment within or into, this state.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Experimental use” means any application of a fertilizing material which is not offered for sale, has no commercial value, and is for the sole purpose of obtaining scientific data.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Farm use” means that the fertilizing material is used primarily for application to crops produced for commercial value.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 257, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2010.)
“Fertilizing material” means any commercial fertilizer, agricultural mineral, auxiliary soil and plant substance, organic input material, or packaged soil amendment.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 257, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2010.)
“Fish emulsion” means fertilizing material from which the guaranteed nutrients are derived primarily from fish, which contains a minimum of 40 percent total solids from fish, and which may contain additional sources of nitrogen, available phosphoric acid, and soluble potash for standardization purposes or stabilization purposes, or for both purposes, that shall be included in the required guaranteed analysis and derivation statement.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Grade” means the percentage of total nitrogen, available phosphoric acid, and soluble potash stated in the same terms, order, and percentage as the guaranteed analysis.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Guaranteed analysis” means the minimum percentage of primary or secondary plant nutrients or micronutrients, or both, claimed.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
(a) “Gypsum” means calcium sulfate dihydrate, a mineral used in the fertilizer industry as a source of calcium and sulfur which is also known as landplaster.
(b) “Phosphatic sulfate gypsum” means a by-product of calcium dihydrate from the manufacture of phosphoric acid, also known as phosphogypsum.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Hydroponics” means a system in which water soluble primary or secondary plant nutrients or micronutrients, or combination thereof, are placed in intimate contact with the plant’s root system, being grown in a water or an inert supportive medium which supplies physical support for the roots but which does not add or subtract primary or secondary plant nutrients or micronutrients, or both.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Investigational allowance” means an allowance for variation inherent in the taking, preparation, and analysis of an official sample of fertilizing materials.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Label” means the display of all written, printed, or graphic matter on the immediate container of, or a statement, including the guaranteed analysis, accompanying fertilizing material.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Label guarantor” means the manufacturer’s or person’s name appearing on the label of a fertilizing material.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Labeling” means all written, printed, or graphic matter on, accompanying, or used in promoting the sale of any fertilizing material, including advertisements, brochures, posters, and television and radio announcements.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Licensee” means a person who has obtained a license pursuant to this chapter.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Manufacturer” means a person who produces, sells, or distributes a fertilizing material in this state that bears their company name on the label and is the guarantor.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Manure” means any substances composed primarily of animal excrement, plant remains, or mixtures of those substances.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Micronutrients” means boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, sodium, or zinc, alone or in any combination.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Mixed fertilizer” is a commercial fertilizer containing any combination or mixture of fertilizing materials.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Natural organic fertilizer” means materials derived from either plant or animal products containing one or more nutrients other than carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which are essential for plant growth, which may be subjected to biological degradation processes under normal conditions of aging, rainfall, sun-curing, air drying, composting, rotting, enzymatic, or anaerobic/aerobic bacterial action, or any combination of these, which shall not be mixed with synthetic materials or changed in any physical or chemical manner from their initial state except by physical manipulations such as drying, cooking, chopping, grinding, shredding, or pelleting.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Noncommercial use” means materials used primarily for application to lawns, shrubbery, flowers, trees, or where there is no crop for commercial value or economic purpose, excluding golf courses, cemeteries, and nurseries.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Official sample” means any sample of fertilizing material taken by an agent of the department and designated as “official” by the department.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Organic input material” means any bulk or packaged commercial fertilizer, agricultural mineral, auxiliary soil and plant substance, specialty fertilizer, or soil amendment, excluding pesticides, that is to be used in organic crop and food production and that complies with the requirements of the National Organic Program standards, as specified in Part 205 (commencing with Section 205.1) of Subchapter M of Chapter I of Subtitle B of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 257, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2010.)
“Packaged” means a fertilizing material distributed in packaged form or in a container containing equal to or less than 50 kilograms or 110 pounds.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Packaged soil amendment” means any substance distributed for the purpose of promoting plant growth or improving the quality of crops by conditioning soils solely through physical means. It includes all of the following:
(a) Hay.
(b) Straw.
(c) Peat moss.
(d) Leaf mold.
(e) Sand.
(f) Wood products.
(g) Any product or mixture of products intended for use as a potting medium, planting mix, or soilless growing media.
(h) Manures sold without guarantees for plant nutrients.
(i) Any other substance or product which is intended for use solely because of its physical properties.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Percent or percentage” means percentage by weight.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Person” means individual, partnership, association, firm, limited liability company, or corporation who assumes responsibility for the product.
(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1010, Sec. 126. Effective January 1, 1995.)
“Plant” means any business location where fertilizing materials are manufactured, sold, or stored for later sale, except storage of packaged materials on premises operated exclusively as a public warehouse.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Primary plant nutrient” means nitrogen (N), available phosphoric acid (P2O5), or soluble potash (K2O).
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Provisional registration” means that under certain circumstances, a label for renewal on an auxiliary soil and plant substance, packaged agricultural mineral, packaged soil amendment, organic input material, or specialty fertilizer, alone or in any combination, may be registered for a limited period of time while labels are being corrected and reprinted.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 257, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2010.)
“Registrant” means any person who has registered a packaged agricultural mineral, auxiliary soil and plant substance, packaged soil amendment, organic input material, or specialty fertilizer.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 257, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2010.)
“Secondary plant nutrient” means calcium, magnesium, or sulfur, alone or in any combination.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Secretary” means the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
(Added by Stats. 2005, Ch. 490, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2006.)
“Sewage sludge” means the solid material resulting from the treatment of waste water of residential or municipal sewage systems.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Soil conditioners” means polyelectrolytes, such as complex vinyl and acrylic compounds and certain cellulose and lignin derivatives, which tend to agglomerate soil colloids and produce a crumb structure in the soil and increase the permeability of the soil to air and water and increase its resistance to crusting when it dries out.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Soilless growing medium” means a medium of an inorganic substance, such as sand or gravel, or in a soilless organic material such as sphagnum peat or pine bark, and periodically watered with a primary or secondary plant nutrient or micronutrient solution, or both.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Specialty fertilizer” means packaged commercial fertilizer labeled for home gardens, lawns, shrubbery, flowers, and other similar noncommercial uses. These products may contain less than 5 percent nitrogen (N), available phosphoric acid (P2O5), or soluble potash (K2 O), singly or collectively, detectable by chemical methods.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
“Ton” means a net weight of 2,000 pounds avoirdupois.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 504, Sec. 2.)
