Use of chemical fertilizers on environment review of literature
Answers
Chemical fertilizers, being produced synthetically from inorganic materials, are substance providing nutrient elements for plants growth with physical or chemical methods. They’re rich in the three essential nutrients needed for plant growth. Types of fertilizer are in great varieties. Some examples of chemical fertilizers are ammonium sulphate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium chloride etc.
Benefits of Chemical Fertilizer
1.Chemical fertilizers helping plants grow
They contain one or more of the essential growth nutrients such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and various others. Once added to
the soil, these nutrients fulfill the required demands of the plants and
provide them the nutrients they naturally lacked or helps them retain
the lost nutrients. Chemical fertilizers provide specific formulations
of NPK in order to treat nutrient-deficient soils and plants.
☆Nitrogen fertilizer
The roots of plants can absorb nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen is the
main component of protein (including some enzymes and coenzyme), nucleic
acid and phospholipids. They are important parts of protoplasm, nucleus
and biofilm, which has a special role in plant vital activities.
Nitrogen is a component of chlorophyll, so it has a close relation with
photosynthesis. The amount of nitrogen will directly affect cell
division and growth. Therefore the supply of nitrogen fertilizer is
vitally needed. Urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate are commonly
used in agriculture.
☆Phosphatic fertilizer
Phosphorus can promote the development of roots, flowers, seeds and
fruit. Phosphorus participates in a variety of metabolic processes.
Phosphorus is rich in meristems, which have the most productive life
activities. Therefore application of P fertilizer has a good effect on
the tiller, branch and root growth. Phosphorus promotes the conversion
and transportation of carbohydrates, enabling the growth of the seeds,
roots and tubers. It can significantly increase the yield of crops.
☆Potassic fertilizer
Potassic fertilizer is used in acceleration of stem growth, movement of
water and promotion of flowering and fruiting. Potassium(K) is in the
form of ion in plants, which concentrates on the the most productive
parts in the life of plant, such as the growing point, cambium and
leaves, etc. Potassium promotes synthesis of protein, facilitates sugar
transportation and ensures cells water absorption.
2.Chemical fertilizers being cheaper than organic fertilizers
Chemical fertilizers tend to cost much less than organic fertilizers.
On the one hand, seeing from the organic fertilizers manufacturing
process, it is not hard to figure out the reasons why organic
fertilizers are costly: the need to harvest organic material to use in
the fertilizers, and the higher costs of being certified organic by
government regulatory agencies.
On the other hand, chemical
fertilizers turning out to be cheaper is because they pack more
nutrients per pound of weight, while more organic fertilizers are needed
for the same level of nutrients. One needs several pounds of organic
fertilizer to provide the same soil nutrient levels that a single pound
of chemical fertilizer provides. Those 2 reasons directly influence the
use of chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer. Some reports suggest
the US Fertilizer market to be around $40 Billion of which organic
fertilizers occupy only about $60 Million. The rest of it is the share
of the various artificial fertilizers.
3. Providing immediate nourishment
The providing of immediate nourishment and lower purchasing costs
greatly popularized inorganic fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers have
become a staple in many farms, yards and gardens, and can be a key
component of a healthy lawn care routine. But, don’t chemical fertilizer
do no harm to soil and plants? Aren’t there any things needing to be
noticed in the application of chemical fertilizers? The answer
absolutely is NO!