Fertilizers are substances added to soil or plants to promote growth by supplying essential nutrients. They are crucial for improving soil fertility, increasing crop yield, and ensuring the health of plants.
The use of fertilizers dates back to ancient civilizations: - **Egyptians** used manure as early as 3000 BC to enrich the soil. - **Chinese**, around 500 BC, were known to use night soil (human excrement) and animal waste. - By the 19th century, chemical fertilizers started gaining popularity with the synthesis of Ammonium Nitrate and Superphosphate, revolutionizing agriculture.
Fertilizers can be categorized into:
Fertilizers supply the following essential plant nutrients:
Other secondary and micronutrients like Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Boron, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, and Copper are also important but needed in smaller quantities.
While fertilizers are beneficial, they pose several environmental and health risks: - **Nutrient Runoff**: Excess nutrients can lead to Eutrophication in water bodies. - **Soil Degradation**: Overuse can harm soil structure and microbial life. - **Health Issues**: Improper handling or exposure can lead to respiratory problems and other health concerns.
Current trends in fertilizer use include:
Many countries have regulations to control the use of fertilizers to minimize environmental impact: - In the European Union, the Nitrates Directive limits the use of nitrogen fertilizers. - The United States has the Clean Water Act, which addresses fertilizer runoff into waterways.