2005 Montana Code Annotated - 80-10-102 — Guaranteed analysis.

     80-10-102. Guaranteed analysis. (1) Until the department prescribes the alternative form under subsection (2) of this section, "guaranteed analysis" means the minimum percentage of plant nutrients claimed in the following order and form:
     (a) The following plant nutrients shall be guaranteed:

Total nitrogen (N) ^- % Available phosphoric acid (P2O5) ^- % Soluble potash (K2O) ^- %

     (b) For unacidulated mineral phosphatic materials and basic slag, bonemeal, tankage, and other organic phosphatic materials, the total phosphoric acid and degree of fineness may also be guaranteed.
     (c) Guarantees for plant nutrients other than nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium may be permitted or required by rules adopted by the department. The guarantees for other nutrients shall be expressed in the form of the element. The sources of other nutrients, including but not limited to oxides, salt, and chelates, may be required to be stated on the application for registration and may be included as a parenthetical statement on the label. Other beneficial substances or compounds, determinable by laboratory methods, also may be guaranteed by permission of the department.
     (d) Potential basicity or acidity expressed in terms of calcium carbonate equivalent in multiples of 100 pounds per ton shall be guaranteed when required by regulation.
     (2) If the department finds, after public hearing, that the requirement for expressing the guaranteed analysis of phosphorus and potassium in elemental form would not impose an economic hardship on distributors and users of fertilizer by reason of conflicting labeling requirements among the states, it may require by department rule that the guaranteed analysis be in the following form:
     Total nitrogen (N)^- %
     Available phosphorus (P)^- %
     Soluble potassium (K)^- %
     (3) The effective date of the rule may not be less than 6 months following the adoption of the rule. For a period of 2 years following the effective date of the rule, the equivalent of phosphorus and potassium may also be shown in the form of phosphoric acid and potash. However, after the effective date of a rule requiring that phosphorus and potassium be shown in the elemental form, the guaranteed analysis for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is the grade for those elements.
     (4) Soil amendments shall guarantee the minimum quantity of each active ingredient in terms approved by the department or in terms as set forth in rules issued by the department. They shall also meet any other requirements established by rule by the department.

     History: En. 3-1714.1 by Sec. 87, Ch. 218, L. 1974; Sec. 3-1714.1, R.C.M. 1947; amd. and redes. 3-1714.3 by Sec. 2, Ch. 279, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 13, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 3-1714.3.