Code of Massachusetts Regulations
330 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES
Title 330 CMR 15.00 - Commercial Fertilizer And Lime
Section 15.06 - Investigational Allowances and Penalties
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) A commercial fertilizer shall be deemed deficient if the analysis of any nutrient is below the guarantee by an amount exceeding the following values in 330 CMR 15.06(1) Table I, or if the overall index value of the fertilizer is below 98%:
TABLE 1
|
Guarantee percent |
Nitrogen percent |
Available Phosphoric Acid percent |
Potash percent |
|
4.00 or less |
0.49 |
0.67 |
0.41 |
|
5.00 |
0.51 |
0.67 |
0.43 |
|
6.00 |
0.52 |
0.67 |
0.47 |
|
7.00 |
0.54 |
0.68 |
0.53 |
|
8.00 |
0.55 |
0.68 |
0.60 |
|
9.00 |
0.57 |
0.68 |
0.65 |
|
10.00 |
0.58 |
0.69 |
0.70 |
|
12.00 |
0.61 |
0.69 |
0.79 |
|
14.00 |
0.63 |
0.70 |
0.87 |
|
16.00 |
0.67 |
0.70 |
0.94 |
|
18.00 |
0.70 |
0.71 |
1.01 |
|
20.00 |
0.73 |
0.72 |
1.08 |
|
22.00 |
0.75 |
0.72 |
1.15 |
|
24.00 |
0.78 |
0.73 |
1.21 |
|
26.00 |
0.81 |
0.73 |
1.27 |
|
28.00 |
0.83 |
0.74 |
1.33 |
|
30.00 |
0.86 |
0.75 |
1.39 |
|
32.00 or more |
0.88 |
0.76 |
1.44 |
(2) Secondary and minor elements shall be deemed deficient if any element is below the guarantee by an amount exceeding the values in the following schedule, 330 CMR 15.06(2) Table 2:
TABLE 2
|
Element |
Allowable Deficiency |
|
Calcium |
0.2 unit + 5% of guarantee |
|
Magnesium |
0.2 unit + 5% of guarantee |
|
Sulfur |
0.2 unit + 5% of guarantee |
|
Boron |
0.003 unit + 15% of guarantee |
|
Cobalt |
0.0001 unit + 30% of guarantee |
|
Molybdenum |
0.0001 unit + 30% of guarantee |
|
Chlorine |
0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee |
|
Copper |
0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee |
|
Iron |
0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee |
|
Manganese |
0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee |
|
Sodium |
0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee |
|
Zinc |
0.005 unit + 10% of guarantee |
The Maximum allowance when calculated in accordance to 330 CMR 15.06(2) Table 2 shall be 1 unit (1%).
(3) For guarantees not listed in 330 CMR 15.06 Tables 1 or 2, the deficiency will be calculated using the same formula by interpolation.
(4) The overall index value shall be calculated by comparing the commercial value guaranteed with the commercial value found.
(5) A penalty of two times the commercial value of the deficiencies shall be assessed and paid to the consumer of the fertilizer within three months after the date of the assessment. If the consumer can not be found, the assessment shall be paid to the Commonwealth. The amount of the unit values of nutrients shall be set by the Department on a regular basis after surveying fertilizer prices in the Commonwealth, and a written list of the current unit values shall be maintained by the Department.
