Agriculture & Horticulture

Fertilizers & Chemicals

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Fertilizers are chemical compounds applied to promote plant growth. Typically, fertilizers are applied either to the soil or by foliar feeding. Fertilizers can be placed into the categories of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are naturally occurring compounds manufactured through natural processes. Inorganic fertilizers are manufactured through chemical processes using naturally occurring deposits, while chemically altering them. Synthetic fertilizers, such as urea and urea formaldehyde, are considered organic in the sense of the organic chemistry, and can be supplied organically. Naturally mined powdered limestone, mined rock phosphate and sodium nitrate, are inorganic. Many inorganic fertilizers do not replace trace mineral elements in the soil which become gradually depleted by crops. High application rates of nitrogen fertilizers in order to maximize crop yields, combined with the high solubilities of these fertilizers can lead to increased leaching of nitrates into groundwater. Nitrogen containing inorganic fertilizers in the form of nitrate and ammonium also cause soil acidification. Storage and application of some nitrogen fertilizers in some weather or soil conditions can cause emissions of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Ammonia gas (NH3) may be emitted following application of manure/slurry. Over-fertilization of a vital nutrient can be as detrimental as under fertilization.Toxic fertilizers are recycled industrial waste that introduces several classes of toxic materials into farm land, garden soils, and water streams.Soils naturally contain many nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, calcium, and potassium. These nutrients allow plants to grow. When soil nutrients are missing or in short supply, plants suffer from nutrient deficiency and stop growing. When the nutrient level is too low, the plant cannot function properly and produce the food necessary to feed the worlds’ population.