Disintegratable fertilizer tablet

A method for improving the disintegration of a unitary plant fertilizer product when exposed to moisture which comprises mixing with fertilizer source materials said source materials comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium or mixtures thereof a water swellable, water insoluble, hydrophilic polymeric gel and compressing the resulting mixture into a hard, dense unitary product.

A method for making a unitary fertilizer product which when exposed to moisture will disintegrate and release plant food into the surrounding soil which comprises mixing fertilizer source materials and a water swellable, water insoluble hydrophilic polymer gel and compressing the resulting mixture into a hard, dense unitary product.

A method for fertilizing a plant which comprises associating with the plant's roots a unitary fertilizer product containing a mixture of fertilizer source materials and a water swellable, water insoluble, hydrophilic polymeric gel.

A hygroscopic plant fertilizer tablet comprising particles of fertilizer source materials said source materials comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium or mixtures thereof, mixed with particles of a water swellable, water insoluble hydrophilic polymeric gel compressed into a hard, dense tablet, whereby said tablet when disposed in soil and exposed to moisture absorbs water with swelling of the hydrophilic polymeric gel and disintegration of the tablet into particles which present a greater surface area for release of fertilizer source materials into the soil.