"A fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients."
Various techniques and products for fertilizing crops, including organic and synthetic fertilizers, and how to determine the optimal application rate and frequency for different crops.
Soil testing: Understanding the properties of soil to assess its current state and determine what nutrients are missing.
Soil management: Managing soil through techniques such as crop rotation and cover cropping to restore soil fertility, increase productivity and reduce erosion.
Nutrient management: Developing a plan to manage nutrient levels using fertilizers, manures or even composts in order to maintain plant health and yield.
Plant selection: Choosing crop varieties and hybrids that are better suited to the conditions of the soil and climate in the region.
Fertilizer selection: Determining which types of fertilizers contain the necessary macro and micronutrients and in what quantity.
Fertilizer application: Applying fertilizers at appropriate rates, times and methods for maximum efficiency and benefit to the plants.
Irrigation: Managing water supply efficiently and accurately to enhance plant growth and yield while preventing waste.
Pest and weed management: Developing a plan to manage pests and weeds in order to maintain healthy plant growth.
Farm machinery and equipment: Understanding and selecting equipment basis the scale and capacity of the farm.
Economic planning: Developing a budget, forecasting crop yields and examining crop prices to assess the cost-effectiveness of fertilization practices.
Chemical Fertilization: It involves the use of synthetic fertilizers, which provide nutrients to the crops. These fertilizers are easily available and can be customized according to the crop and soil requirements.
Organic Fertilization: It involves the use of natural substances like manure, compost, and other organic materials to enrich the soil with essential nutrients for improving soil fertility and crop yield.
Foliar Fertilization: It involves the application of liquid fertilizer to the leaves of the plant. This technique is used to provide essential nutrients to the plant in case of a deficiency or when the soil cannot absorb the nutrients needed for proper growth.
Top Dressing Fertilization: It is an application of fertilizers on the soil surface. This technique is used to provide nutrients to the plant, especially during the vegetative stage, and to reduce nutrient deficiency in crops.
Seed Dressing Fertilization: It involves the application of fertilizers as a coating around the seed. It is used for improving the germination rate and providing nutrients to the seedling during the initial growth stage.
Drip Irrigation Fertilization: It is an effective technique that involves the application of fertilizers alongside water through the drip irrigation system. This technique saves water and nutrients, leading to better crop yield and quality.
Injection Fertilization: It is a technique that involves injecting fertilizers into the soil using specialized equipment. This technique helps to reach the crop roots quickly, and the plants absorb the nutrients effectively.
Deep Placement Fertilization: It involves the placement of fertilizers in the soil at a considerable depth to reach the plant roots for better absorption efficiency.
Basal Fertilization: It is the application of fertilizers at the bottom of the pit or furrow before planting. This technique helps to provide essential nutrients during the initial growth stage of the plant.
Slow-Release Fertilization: It is a technique that involves the use of fertilizers that release nutrients slowly over time, ensuring continuous and consistent nutrient supply to the plant.
"Fertilization focuses on three main macro nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)."
"Farmers apply these fertilizers in a variety of ways: through dry or pelletized or liquid application processes, using large agricultural equipment or hand-tool methods."
"Historically fertilization came from natural or organic sources: compost, animal manure, human manure, harvested minerals, crop rotations, and byproducts of human-nature industries."
"After innovations in plant nutrition, an agricultural industry developed around synthetically created fertilizers."
"Nitrogen-fixing chemical processes, such as the Haber process invented at the beginning of the 20th century, led to a boom in using nitrogen fertilizers."
"Increased use of nitrogen fertilizers has been a crucial component of the increased productivity of conventional food systems as part of the 'Green Revolution'."
"The use of artificial and industrially-applied fertilizers has caused environmental consequences such as water pollution and eutrophication due to nutritional runoff; carbon and other emissions from fertilizer production and mining; and contamination and pollution of soil."
"Various sustainable-agriculture practices can be implemented to reduce the adverse environmental effects of fertilizer and pesticide use."
"A fertilizer (American English) or fertiliser (British English)..."
"Fertilizers may be distinct from liming materials or other non-nutrient soil amendments."
"Compost, animal manure, human manure, harvested minerals, crop rotations, and byproducts of human-nature industries."
"Starting in the 19th century, after innovations in plant nutrition, an agricultural industry developed around synthetically created fertilizers."
"Increased use of nitrogen fertilizers... 800% increase between 1961 and 2019."
"This transition was important in transforming the global food system, allowing for larger-scale industrial agriculture with large crop yields."
"Various sustainable-agriculture practices can be implemented to reduce the adverse environmental effects of fertilizer and pesticide use..."
"The Haber process invented at the beginning of the 20th century..."
"Water pollution and eutrophication due to nutritional runoff... carbon and other emissions from fertilizer production and mining... contamination and pollution of soil."
"Increased productivity of conventional food systems (more than 30% per capita) as part of the so-called 'Green Revolution'."
"Fish processing waste, or bloodmeal from animal slaughter..."