A non-explosive water in oil emulsion fertilizer composition comprising: a discontinuous aqueous phase comprising at least one fertilizer component; a continuous oil phase; an emulsifier comprising the reaction product of at least one succinic acylating agent and at least one co-reactant selected from the group consisting of: primary alkanol amines, secondary alkanol amines, tertiary alkanol amines, primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines, poly-amines, alcohols, polyols, and phenols is disclosed. The ferilizer compositions provide for delayed release of the fertilizer components.