Fertilisers

Farming is one of the most abundant and fundamental activities that have maintained human civilisation for millennia. Early farmers understood the structure of soil and that it was not capable of sustaining perennial crop growth. A reason that pushed them to use animal manure and plant residues to enhance soil fertility and, eventually, the crops. With scientific progress, chemical fertilisers were introduced, providing a faster and more consistent supply of nutrients. Fertilisers are crucial in maintaining healthy and active plant growth, increasing yields, and improving food security, which is our topic of discussion today. 

1.0What are Fertilisers?

Fertilisers are materials added to the soil or directly to plants to supply essential nutrients that may be deficient in the natural ecosystem. These nutrients are important for a range of processes responsible for plant growth, including photosynthesis, root growth, flowering, and fruit production. Fertilisers aid in enhancing the yield of crops and soil fertility in the long run. Some important nutrients supplied by these fertilisers are: 

• Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen promotes lush, leafy, and vegetative growth and protein formation, along with chlorophyll production. 
• Phosphorus (P): It encourages strong root development, essential for seed formation and flowering. 
• Potassium (K): Potassium helps to strengthen the immune system of the plants, helping them withstand drought, pests, and diseases. 

Note: Fertilisers are commonly labelled with N-P-K, which indicates the percentage of these nutrients mentioned above. 

2.0Types of Fertilisers

Fertilisers are mainly classified into two major categories on the basis of their source of origin. These two types of fertilisers are: 

Organic Fertilisers

As the name suggests, organic fertilisers are derived from natural sources such as animal dung, plant residuals, and decomposed organic matter. These are best when it comes to the supply of nutrients as well as improvement in the overall structure and health of the soil. Some features of organic fertilisers are:  

• Organic fertilisers are slow but ensure long-term soil fertility. 
• These fertilisers also enhance the fertility of the soil, which ultimately promotes ecosystems. 
• Organic fertilisers are also good at improving soil texture and water-holding capacity. 
• Examples of these types of fertilisers include Farmyard manure (FYM), Compost, Vermicompost, Green manure, and Bone meal. 

Inorganic (Chemical) Fertilisers

Inorganic fertilisers are manufactured through a chemical process; hence, they are also known as chemical fertilisers. These fertilisers contain nutrients in ready-made forms. Inorganic fertilisers provide faster results in comparison to organic ones and are therefore used in commercial farming on a large scale. Certain features of these fertilisers are: 

• The concentration of nutrients remains very high in them. 
• Higher concentration helps in the quick correction of nutrient deficiencies in plants. 
• Inorganic fertilisers can be tailor-made for specific crops and certain soil needs. 
• Some chemical fertiliser examples include nitrogenous fertilisers, phosphatic fertilisers, potassic fertilisers, and many more. 

3.0Uses of Fertilisers

Fertilisers are used in a wide range of industries for different purposes. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common uses of fertilisers:

1. Enhance crop and agricultural production.
2. Replace exhausted nutrients in over-cultivated land.
3. Enhance the quality and quantity of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
4. Facilitate farming even on marginal lands with low natural fertility.
5. Intensive farming methods are necessary to support the growing global population.

4.0Advantages and Disadvantages of Fertilisers

Although fertilisers have a wide array of advantages, they can come with an equal or greater number of disadvantages. Let’s explore these advantages and disadvantages of fertilisers in this section: 

Advantages of Fertilisers

• Fertilisers boost plant growth by supplying a required amount of nutrients, quickly and effectively. 
• The increased plant growth ultimately leads to higher food production. These fertilisers have ensured food security not only in India but also globally, through the green revolution. 
• Today, various fertilisers have been developed to meet the specific needs of different crops and soil types. 
• Fertilisers are known for their ability to enhance the size, taste, and nutritional value of crops. 
• Inorganic fertilisers show quicker results compared to natural farming, making them an ideal choice for commercial agriculture. 

Disadvantages of Fertilisers

• Extensive use of chemical fertilisers can lead to a decline in soil fertility. 
• Fertiliser runoff leads to water pollution, ultimately affecting the aquatic ecosystems. 
• Excessive use of fertiliser causes fertiliser burn or damage to the roots and leaves of produce. 
• Abuse of fertilisers not only leads to harm to the crops but also to the human population using them. 
• The organic fertilisers can be costly to transport, while inorganic ones are expensive for small farmers. 

5.0Ideal Practices for Fertiliser Use

With an increasing global population, the use of fertiliser is becoming essential to fulfil everyone’s food needs. However, extensive use of these chemicals can impact the health of the environment and humans. This is why the ideal practices of fertiliser use are essential: 

1. Soil Testing: Always analyse soil prior to the application of fertilisers to be well aware of what is required.
2. Balanced Fertilisation: Employ a balanced mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
3. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): Use a mixture of organic and inorganic fertilisers to support soil health and productivity.
4. Controlled-Release Fertilisers: Employ slow-release fertilisers in order to avoid nutrient losses.
5. Crop Rotation and Green Manuring: Support natural soil fertility by growing legumes and utilising green manure crops from time to time.
6. Adequate Timing and Methods: Use fertilisers at proper stages of growth and through appropriate methods (such as drip irrigation using soluble fertilisers) to optimise efficiency.