Use of fertilizers or importance of fertilizers in agriculture

Abstract

It is very difficult to meet the demands of the increasing population with such fewer resources. Loss of soil fertility, pests, and lack of nutrients has resulted in a decrease in agricultural production. This has increased the importance of fertilizers in agriculture. Since the chemical fertilizers adversely affect soil fertility, biofertilizers were brought into use. These are substances that contain living or latent cells, and even micro-organisms. They provide the soil with the necessary nutrients and microbes for the growth of the plants. They help the soil to retain its fertility. They are environment-friendly and also destroy pathogenic components responsible for causing disease in plants. Acetobacter and Rhizobium are two such widely used biofertilizers. Fertilizers increase plants’ tolerance towards pests. This has reduced their reliance on insecticides and herbicides, thereby, producing healthier crops. Consequently, diseases have reduced, providing aesthetic value to the crops. Fertilizers improve the water holding capacity of the plants and increase root depth. The potassium content present in the fertilizers strengthens the straws and stalks of the plants. The phosphorus present in the fertilizers helps in the faster development of roots and formation of seeds in the plants. Nitrogen in the fertilizers enhances the growth of the plants which can be characterized by the green colour of the plants.