Fertilizer—an organic or artificial substance—is added to the soil or crops to encourage the productivity and growth of the plant. It helps provide nutrients to the plant. Anhydrous ammonia and urea are some of the examples. To increase the growth of the crop yield, farmers used fertilizers on a regular basis.
These fertilizers are rich in nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential elements required by plants. Further, they also help to increase the fertility of the soil. With each harvest, the fertility of the soil decreases unless the nutrients are replenished.
Types of Fertilizers
- Organic Fertilizers :
Organic fertilizers contain natural mineral sources that are obtained from plants and animals. Organic fertilizers promote microbial reproduction and boost the amount of organic matter in the soil. Here are some products that can be used to make organic fertilizers:
- Livestock Manure
- Agriculture Waste
- Industrial waste
- Municipal Sludge
- Inorganic Fertilizers :
Inorganic fertilizers are generated by chemical processes that contain nutrients for the growth of the crop. Here are some types of inorganic fertilizers:
- Phosphorus Fertilizers :
Phosphorus is the main substance in phosphorus fertilizer. How successful fertilizers are depends on their soil properties, crop strains, phosphorus content, and fertilization techniques. These fertilizers help the growth of the plant’s roots.
- Nitrogen Fertilizers :
Nitrogen fertilizers contain nitrogen, which is essential for the development of crops. It includes sodium nitrates, urea, calcium, and ammonium sulfate. A vital component of chlorophyll, nitrogen contributes to maintaining balance in the process of photosynthesis. Also, it helps improve the quality of agricultural products.
Advantages of fertilizers
- Easy to apply, store, and transport.
- They are quick to leave an effect on crops.
- Plants can easily absorb them as they are water-soluble.
- Predictable in nature
- We can feed a large population, as it helps boost the productivity of the crops.
Disadvantages of Fertilizers
- They are expensive.
- The ingredients used in fertilizers are harmful to the respiratory system and skin.
Importance of Fertilizers
Fertilizers play a crucial role in the growth of plants in the following ways:
- Fertilizers increase root depth and the plant’s capacity to hold water.
- Due to fertilizers, plants become more pest-resistant. Therefore, they are using fewer herbicides and insecticides, which leads to healthier crops.
- Fertilizers contain nitrogen, which boosts the growth of the plant, and as a result, plants become more green.