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The fertilization strategy that involves applying a fertilizer directly on top of the crops without incorporation is known as top dressing. This method is typically employed when the crops are already growing, allowing farmers to provide essential nutrients at a critical growth stage, which can enhance crop yield and quality.

Top dressing is advantageous because it can effectively deliver nutrients without disturbing the growth of the plants. This strategy is particularly useful for crops that have a high nutrient demand during specific growth phases, ensuring that the nutrients are readily accessible to the plants.

Other methods, such as banding, involve placing the fertilizer in an organized row near the seed and often require soil incorporation, while broadcasting disperses the fertilizer over the surface but may involve soaking in or incorporation later. Side dressing refers to supplying fertilizer in rows alongside existing plants, typically during active growth. These methods differ from top dressing in their application techniques and timing, underscoring the distinct nature of top dressing in crop fertilization practices.