Tag: biology

Fertilizer is a natural or an artificial material that is used in agriculture to grow the crops. Fertilizers are mixed with soils for the better growing of crops and to supply minerals and nutrients to plants. Fertilisers may be organic and inorganic. Fertilisers are mainly made up of horse manure and cow dung.

Manure is an organic substance produced by the decomposition of plant and animal wastes in the presence of microorganism and used as fertilizers because it contains nutrients such as nitrogen, that are trapped by bacteria in the soil. Manure contains large quantities of organic matter and also supplies small quantities of nutrients to the soil.

Fertilisers, chemically synthesized substances which are rich in plant nutrients such as NPK. They are artificially made but have a rapid response. Fertilizers are any solid, liquid or gaseous substances that are applied to the soil, directly on the plant (foliage) or added to aqueous solutions (as in fertigation) to maintain soil fertility, improve crop development, yield and/or crop quality. Sometimes fertilizers get washed away due to excessive irrigation and are not fully absorbed by the plants. Overuse of fertilisers can cause negative effects like loose soil fertility, bioaccumulation etc.

Fertilisers, chemically synthesized substances which are rich in plant nutrients such as NPK. They are artificially made but have a rapid response. Overuse of fertilisers can cause negative effects like loose soil fertility, bioaccumulation etc. Fertilizers should be applied carefully in terms of proper dose, time, and observing pre and post-application precautions for their complete utilisation.

Organic manure or organic fertilizer is made up of organic biodegradable waste like animal excreta and agriculture wastes. As it biodegradable it cannot harm the environment and increase the soil fertility it is better than chemical fertilizer. But chemical fertilizers are nutrient specific and prepared in chemical factories. Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Green manure and biofertilizers maintain and improve soil fertility. Green manure is prepared by the waste leaf from the plants. The waste leaf of the plant is mainly dumped in the soil which is further decomposed by bacteria of the soil.

Pesticides and fertilizers are the chemically synthesized compound used for agriculture purpose. The use of pesticides and fertilizers over a long period of time can destroy soil fertility or soil structure by killing the soil microorganism that recycles nutrients in the soil as they are artificial chemical compounds. It also kills earthworms which are instrumental in making rich humus.

Fertilizers and pesticides are composed of chemical components. These chemicals are harmful to the soil and the environment. These fertilizers and pesticides if put in excess degrades the soil fertility and quality by destroying its natural properties. The chemicals from the fertilizers and insecticides make the soil acidic in nature which leads the soil to lose its fertility to become dry and barren. These chemicals also harm the natural soil tillers, decomposers and the organisms that naturally enhance the soil quality and fertility. Therefore adversely affecting the useful components of soil by depleting the natural nutrient of the soil like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous, etc. Fertilizers cannot be eco-friendly as it harms the soil, water, and environment, unlike biofertilizers which are organic in nature and are eco-friendly too.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A.