Fertilizer
hideFertilizers are chemical compounds applied to promote plant and fruit growth. Fertilizers are usually applied either through the soil (for uptake by plant roots) or, by foliar feeding (for uptake through leaves).
Fertilizers can be placed into the categories of organic fertilizers (composed of decayed plant/animal matter), or inorganic fertilizers (composed of simple chemicals and minerals). Organic fertilizers are 'naturally' occurring compounds, such as peat, manufactured through natural processes (such as composting), or naturally occurring mineral deposits; inorganic fertilizers are manufactured through chemical processes (such as the Haber process), also using naturally occurring deposits, while chemically altering them (e.g. concentrated triple superphosphate).
Properly applied, organic fertilizers can improve the health and productivity of soil and plants, as they provide different essential nutrients to encourage plant growth. Organic nutrients increase the abundance of soil organisms by providing organic matter and micronutrients for organisms such as fungal mycorrhiza, which aid plants in absorbing nutrients. Chemical fertilizers may have long-term adverse impact on the organisms living in soil[citation needed] and a detrimental long term effect on soil productivity of the soil[citation needed].
For more information about Fertilizer, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with fertilizer
Ant has given up sex completely, researchers say
Aug 26, 2009 |
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The complete asexuality of a widespread fungus-gardening ant, the only ant species in the world known to have dispensed with males entirely, has been confirmed by a team of Texas and Brazilian researchers.
What she sees in you -- facial attractiveness explained
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Aug 24, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- When it comes to potential mates, women may be as complicated as men claim they are, according to psychologists.
Unnatural selection: Birth control pills may alter choice of partners
Oct 07, 2009 |
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There is no doubt that modern contraception has enabled women to have unprecedented control over their own fertility. However, is it possible that the use of oral contraceptives is interfering with a woman's ability to choose, ...
Camelina jet fuel could cut carbon emissions by 84 percent
Jul 15, 2009 |
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The seeds of a lowly weed could cut jet fuel's cradle-to-grave carbon emissions by 84 percent.
Nile Delta fishery grows dramatically thanks to run-off of sewage, fertilizers
Jan 19, 2009 |
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While many of the world's fisheries are in serious decline, the coastal Mediterranean fishery off the Nile Delta has expanded dramatically since the 1980s.
Fertilizers may not help poorest African farmers
Sep 24, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers have linked poverty in sub-Saharan Africa with poor soil health, but two new Cornell studies find that the recommended practice of applying more fertilizer may not help the poorest ...
Water quality improves after lawn fertilizer ban, study shows
Aug 17, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- In an effort to keep lakes and streams clean, municipalities around the country are banning or restricting the use of phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers, which can kill fish and cause ...
Sustainable fertilizer: Urine and wood ash produce large harvest
Sep 02, 2009 |
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Results of the first study evaluating the use of human urine mixed with wood ash as a fertilizer for food crops has found that the combination can be substituted for costly synthetic fertilizers to produce ...
Fertilizer use not always helpful in revegetation efforts
Dec 17, 2009 |
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Companies and communities trying to restore vegetation on damaged northern landscapes should think twice about using fertilizer to stimulate growth according to new research published in the November issue of Arctic, Antarctic an ...
World fertilizer prices drop dramatically after soaring to all-time highs
Dec 16, 2008 |
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World fertilizer prices began dropping dramatically in late 2008 after reaching all-time highs around April.
Daily sex helps to reduce sperm DNA damage and improve fertility
Jun 30, 2009 |
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Daily sex (or ejaculating daily) for seven days improves men’s sperm quality by reducing the amount of DNA damage, according to an Australian study presented today (Tuesday) to the 25th annual meeting of the European Society ...
Semen quality depends upon antioxidants
Jun 02, 2009 |
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A possible relationship between men's diets and the quality of their semen has long been a discussion point. Spanish researchers have now confirmed that antioxidants, molecules which are found mainly in fruit and vegetables ...
Squeezing More Crop Out of Each Drop of Water
Oct 09, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Studies in China and Colorado by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and cooperators have revealed some interesting tactics on how to irrigate with limited water, based on a crop’s ...
Improving swine waste fertilizer
Jul 08, 2008 |
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Swine production generates large amounts of waste. While this waste contains nutrients that may serve as fertilizer when applied to agricultural fields, the ratio of nutrients in the waste is different than what a crop requires.
Study highlights massive imbalances in global fertilizer use
Jun 18, 2009 |
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Synthetic fertilizers have dramatically increased food production worldwide. But the unintended costs to the environment and human health have been substantial. Nitrogen runoff from farms has contaminated ...
