Question

Soil is losing its fertility due increase in the use of ______________.
(A) Organic manure
(B) HYV seeds
(C) Irrigation
(D) Chemical fertilizers

Answer 1

Hint: The ability of soil to nurture agricultural plant growth is called Soil fertility. Soil needs to provide plant habitat and the yields of high quality should be consistent throughout years. Fertile soil can provide essential nutrients and water to the crop without the existence of toxic substances.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Chemical Fertilizers are any number of compound substances not occurring naturally. They are synthetic compound substances created mainly to increase crop yield. Some chemical fertilizers are ‘nitrogenous’ i.e. they contain nitrogen while others contain phosphate. Some of them even have potassium. Combined chemical fertilizer contains all three- Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potassium with a hint of other nutrients as well. Chemical fertilizers are an effective and cost-efficient that result in high yields granted they are used logically. However, when used maniacally these can affect the quality of soil and thus affect crop yields. Overuse of chemical fertilizers can degrade the soil. It’s imperative to maintain soil’s natural structure and balance and thus fertilizers should be used moderately. Overuse of chemical fertilizers may also disturb the acidity of the soil.

Thus, option (D) is correct.

Note: Since nitrogen lowers the pH of the soil, chemical fertilizers can make the soil acidic. The ideal pH is between $5.5$ and 8 for maximum crop yield and maintains the soil quality. Anything below $5.5$ pH level and anything above 8 pH level will not get you the desired results. Food crops will not retain the same nutritional level if chemical fertilizers are used extensively. Chemical fertilizers fasten the growth rate of crops resulting in them having less nutritional value.