Agriculture Fertilizers - Overview, Types, uses

What are Agricultural Fertilizers?

Agricultural fertilizers are chemical products that are used to increase the productivity of plants. These are mainly used by the farmers in their fields to get more profit from their agricultural products. Some of the basic points about Agricultural fertilizers are mentioned below:

• Some of the common agricultural fertilizers are divided into three categories: Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium fertilizers.

• Fertilizers also include nutrients like zinc and other metals which are important for plant growth.

• Some fertilizers increase the fertility of the soil and improve water retention capacity.

• The fertilizers also support the plant growth and development and are responsible for providing all the essential nutrients for their development.

Types of Agricultural Fertilizers

Fertilizers used in agriculture can be grouped based on their source and nutrient content. Each type supports plant growth in different ways. Farmers choose fertilizers based on the crop and soil needs. Agricultural fertilizers are classified into following types:

Advantages of Agricultural Fertilizers

Fertilizers help increase crop yield and improve plant health. They supply essential nutrients that may be lacking in the soil. Fertilizers support farming and increase food production. The main advantages of agricultural fertilizers are:

• Helps in improving soil fertility and also increases the production of crops. Agriculture fertilizers help meet the food demand of the population by fulfilling the nutritional demand of the soil.

• Agricultural fertilizers are easily soluble and have an action which helps the nutrients to be absorbed by the plants quickly. This helps in boosting overall metabolism and plant growth.

• Fertilizers also help in restoring all the soil nutrients which were depleted by the previous crops.

• Some fertilizers are easy to store, handle and transport which makes them convenient for farms of all sizes.

• Farmers can rely on fertilizers to achieve higher productivity from their farm fields and also maintain soil health at the same time. This is also a contribution to a sustainable form of agriculture.

Disadvantages of Agricultural Fertilizers

Agricultural fertilizers have harmful effects on soil and water when used in excess. It reduces soil fertility over time. It can affect human health and the environment. The disadvantages of agricultural fertilizers are:

• Some agriculture fertilizers can be expensive which can be a financial burden on farmers who are small-scale producers.

• Agricultural fertilizers which are based on chemicals contain toxic substances which are harmful to animal and human health. Exposure to these toxic substances regularly can lead to diseases and it needs to be handled with care.

• Some agricultural fertilizers are also harmful to the natural balance of soil microorganisms and it affects the overall health of the soil.

• It is also responsible for deflecting soil fertility and its productivity.

• Fertilizers are also responsible for different types of pollution such as water pollution as their being washed away by rain. This is carried out to the nearby streams and rivers.

List of Chemical Agricultural Fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers are regarded as inorganic fertilizers since they contain a substantial amount of the nutrients needed for plant growth. The names of chemical fertilizers are listed below according to their chemical makeup:

• Fertilizers amide.

• Fertilizers with nitrate.

• Fertilizers with potassium.

• Fertilizers made of ammonia.

• Fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate.

• Fertilizers with insoluble phosphates.

• Phosphatic fertilizers are water-soluble.

• Phosphatic Fertilizers that are soluble in citric acid.

• NPK - Fertilizers made of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

Types of Questions Asked from Agricultural Fertilizer

During exam preparation, different types of questions about Agricultural Fertilizers are asked. The table below contains the different patterns of questions asked in different exams.

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Agricultural Fertilizers

It takes effort to remember everything in a single go. We made the entire problem easy. Some of the tricks regarding Agricultural Fertilizers are given below which you can use to memorise the important points.

Types of Fertilizers

"ONI: Organic, Nitrogen, Inorganic"

• O: Organic Fertilizers

• N: Nitrogen Fertilizers

• I: Inorganic Fertilizers

Key Nutrients in Fertilizers

"NPK: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium"

• N: Nitrogen

• P: Phosphorus

• K: Potassium

Advantages of Fertilizers

"CRISPE: Cost-effective, Reliable, Increase Yield, Soluble, Portable, Enhance Growth"

• C: Cost-effective

• R: Reliable results

• I: Increase yield

• S: Soluble

• P: Portable

• E: Enhances growth

Disadvantages of Fertilizers

"HTPESP: High cost, Toxicity, Pollutes, Erosion of Soil Quality, Short-term benefits, pH alteration"

• H: High cost

• T: Toxicity

• P: Pollutes

• E: Erosion of Soil Quality

• S: Short-term benefits

• P: pH alteration

MCQs on Agricultural Fertilizers

Q1. Which of the following pairs have micronutrients?

1. Calcium and sodium

2. Sulphur and potassium

3. Manganese and phosphorus

4. Iron and boron

Correct answer: 4) Iron and boron

Explanation:

Micronutrients, otherwise termed trace elements, are necessary for various physiological activities and are required in very minute quantities (less than 10 mmol per kilogram of dry matter). Their roles include aiding in growth and development, while also involved in metabolic activities. Some examples include iron, crucial for the oxygen transport system within the blood and boron which is significant to plant growth as well as plant reproductive health. Though required only in trace quantities, these elements are indispensable to health.

Hence the correct answer is Option (4) Iron and boron.

Q2. This chemical fertilizer is essential for better rhizobial nitrogen fixation

1. Calcium

2. Potassium

3. Sodium

4. Phosphorus

Correct answer: 4) Phosphorus

Explanation:

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants and plays a critical role in energy transfer, root development, and overall plant growth. In the case of legumes, phosphorus is particularly important because it promotes the development of root nodules, where rhizobial bacteria live and carry out nitrogen fixation. Adequate phosphorus enhances the efficiency of nitrogen fixation by supporting the growth and function of rhizobia within the root nodules. Hence, phosphorus is a key chemical fertilizer required for better rhizobial nitrogen fixation.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Phosphorus.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production

• Apiculture

• Tissue Culture

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are agricultural fertilizers?
Agricultural fertilizers are chemical or natural substances added to soil to supply essential nutrients for plant growth.

Q2. What is the full form of NPK?
NPK stands for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), the three primary nutrients in fertilizers.

Q3. What are the three main fertilizers?
The three main fertilizers are urea (nitrogen-based), superphosphate (phosphorus-based), and potash (potassium-based).

Q4. What is 14-35-14 fertilizer used for?
14-35-14 fertilizer is used to promote root development and flowering, especially in early plant growth.

Q5. Which fertilizer is best for agriculture?
The best fertilizer depends on crop and soil, but balanced NPK fertilizers are commonly used for general agricultural needs.