Question

What are the disadvantages of Artificial fertilizers?

Answer 1

Hint: An attempt to this question can be made by understanding the components present in a fertilizer and their respective functions. Based on this you can determine the chemicals that are harmful or disadvantageous to the environment. With the help of this you can answer the above question.

Complete Solution :
- A fertilizer is defined as a substance of natural or artificial origin that is usually applied to soil or plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants.
- Artificial fertilizers refer to the fertilizers that are made industrially and not from the natural sources. They are usually a combination of chemicals and inorganic substances.
- They typically consist of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and various other elements in different ratios. Synthetic fertilizers are known to provide essential nutrients immediately unlike organic or natural fertilizers.
- However artificial fertilizers are known to have their own set of disadvantages. Few of them are given below:
- Artificial fertilizers are more expensive than natural fertilizers.
- Artificial fertilizers have to be used in the right proportion, thus it requires accuracy while applying.
- Excess use of fertilizers will lead to the killing of the plants and adverse effect on the soil conditions.
- Artificial fertilizers cause long term imbalances in the ideal pH of the soil as well as its fertility.

Note: Artificial fertilizers along with affecting plant life, affect human life and their activities as well. Long term use of these fertilizers leads to respiratory diseases that can be life threatening.