We know that all living organisms require food which is converted to energy to carry out all essential life processes. Human beings are heterotroph which means we cannot produce our food. Hence, we must gather food from other sources, such as plants and animals, to fulfil our nutritional needs. For this purpose, we grow crops and raise livestock.
In contrast, plants can produce food on their own by drawing essential nutrients and water from the soil, which enable them to grow. Consequently, if the soil is infertile or contains insufficient nutrients, they will slowly wither and die. Hence, fertilizers are used to add essential nutrients to the land to promote growth.
What is Agriculture?
The term agriculture has its origin in the Latin word ‘ager’ which means land and ‘culture’ refers to cultivation. Thus, agriculture can be defined as the process of cultivating the soil, growing food crops, and raising livestock. It is one of the most primitive activities in the world.
In addition to producing food crops, agriculture also involves dairy, fisheries, poultry, beekeeping etc. Apart from food, it also provides fodder for domestic animals and raw materials for several vital industries such as medicine, cotton, jute, sugar, oil and so on.
Agriculture can be classified into two main groups – subsistence agriculture and industrialized agriculture. A brief explanation of these two types of agriculture is given below –
Subsistence Agriculture – When a person farms on a small piece of land and grows crops to meet his or her family’s food requirements, it is known as subsistence agriculture. In case of any excess food, it is usually sold locally.
This type of agriculture is labour intensive and employs simple technology during the cultivation process. The leftover crop is used as fodder for farm animals. Subsistence agriculture makes use of polyculture, which means different plants are grown on the same land.
Industrialized Agriculture – In this type of agriculture, livestock is reared, and crops are grown in large quantities for commercial purpose. Top of the line machinery along with fertilization and pesticides is used to increase the amount as well as the quality of crop yield, since the main aim is to bring in more profit. Industrialized agriculture relies on monoculture where only one type of soil is chosen for growth.
What is Fertilizer?
Soil fertility refers to the capacity of soil to facilitate plant growth by supplying all the essential nutrients. However, several factors can affect the productivity of soil such as excessive rainfall, monocropping and continuous farming on the same piece of land. In such cases, external nutrition in the form of agriculture fertilizers is added to soil to improve its quality and to replenish the lost nutrients.
Types of Fertilizers
There are two types of fertilizers used in agriculture – organic and inorganic. Organic fertilizers are those that have been derived from plants and animals. Examples of such kinds of fertilizers are manure, vegetable compost and crop residue.
Apart from adding nutrients, other uses of fertilizers include - enhancing of soil structure and helping it to hold in more water and nutrients. Organic fertilizers are also more cost-effective than inorganic fertilizers.
On the other hand, inorganic or synthetic fertilizers are made from minerals and are manufactured artificially. Unlike plant fertilizers, these supply the soil with required nutrients quickly, thus facilitating crop yield in the short run.
However, one should be careful with the quantity of inorganic farm fertilizer as a large concentration of the same may burn the roots. It can also lead to accumulation of toxic salt content in the soil.
Inorganic fertilizers can be in either single nutrient formula, meaning they are made up of only one nutrient. Or, they can also be a multi-nutrient formula which contains all or most of the essential nutrients, making it a balanced fertilizer.
Inorganic fertilizers can be divided into three broad groups. These types of fertilizers are as follows –
Phosphorus Fertilizers – these are available as ammonium phosphate, nitric phosphates, rock phosphate, phosphoric acid
Nitrogen Fertilizers – these include urea, nitrate fertilizers, ammoniacal fertilizers, amide fertilizers, ammoniacal-nitrate fertilizers
Potassium Fertilizers – some examples of this fertilizers are potassium sulphate, potassium magnesium sulphate
Additionally, you can refer to our study materials to learn more about this topic, such as more use of fertilizers in agriculture. Our study guides cover each of the items in detail along with diagrams which ensure that you understand the concepts well. The notes on types of fertilizers can be accessed at any time on our website. Now you can also download our Vedantu app for easier access to these notes and online interactive sessions.
FAQs on Agriculture and Fertilisation
1. What is meant by agriculture and fertilization in the context of biology?
Agriculture refers to the practice of cultivating plants, animals, and other life forms for food, fiber, biofuel, medicinal plants, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. Fertilization in agriculture specifically refers to the process of adding nutrients to the soil to improve its fertility and support better crop growth. This is crucial because continuous farming depletes soil nutrients, and fertilization helps replenish them, ensuring healthy and productive harvests.
2. What are the main types of fertilizers commonly used in agriculture?
Fertilizers used in agriculture are broadly classified into two main types:
- Inorganic Fertilizers: These are synthetic, chemical-based substances manufactured in factories. Examples include urea, potash, and superphosphate. They typically provide specific nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in concentrated forms.
- Organic Fertilizers: These are derived from natural sources, such as animal manure, compost, and plant residues. They release nutrients slowly and also improve the soil's texture and water-holding capacity over time.
3. Why is fertilization considered important for successful agriculture?
Fertilization is crucial for successful agriculture because it replenishes essential nutrients in the soil that crops absorb during their growth. Without adequate nutrients, plants cannot grow properly, leading to poor yields. Fertilizers provide these vital elements, promoting stronger, healthier plants, increasing crop production, and maintaining long-term soil fertility, which is essential for food security and agricultural productivity.
4. Can you explain the basic process of applying fertilizers in fields?
The basic process of applying fertilizers involves distributing them evenly across the agricultural land where crops are grown. This can be done manually by scattering the granules, or mechanically using spreaders and drills. Fertilizers can also be dissolved in water and applied through irrigation systems (fertigation) or sprayed directly onto plant leaves. The goal is to ensure the nutrients reach the plant roots effectively for absorption and optimal growth.
5. How do fertilizers differ from pesticides in their agricultural application and purpose?
Fertilizers are substances applied to soil or plant tissues to supply nutrients essential for plant growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Their primary purpose is to enhance soil fertility and boost crop yield. In contrast, pesticides are chemical or biological agents designed to control or eliminate pests, including insects, weeds, fungi, or rodents, that can harm crops. While both are used in agriculture, fertilizers feed the plants, whereas pesticides protect them from harmful organisms.
6. What are some potential environmental impacts of excessive fertilizer use?
Excessive use of fertilizers can have several negative environmental impacts. When applied in large amounts, excess nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, can be washed away by rain into nearby water bodies like rivers and lakes. This leads to a process called eutrophication, where algal blooms deplete oxygen, harming aquatic life. Additionally, some nitrogen-based fertilizers can release nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to air pollution and climate change.
7. What is the key difference between organic and inorganic fertilizers in terms of nutrient release?
The key difference between organic and inorganic fertilizers lies in their nutrient release mechanism and speed. Inorganic fertilizers provide nutrients in a ready-to-use, concentrated form that plants can absorb almost immediately, leading to a quick boost in growth. However, they can also leach easily. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, release nutrients slowly as microorganisms in the soil break down the organic matter. This provides a more sustained supply of nutrients over a longer period and also helps improve the soil's structure and microbial health.
