The Effect Of Fertilisers On The Environment

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The Effect Of Fertilisers On The Environment.

The use of fertilisers and their effect on the environment is a much-debated issue. There are positive and negative effects which must be considered throughout this essay. It is difficult to say which argument outweighs the other, and whether usage should be continued, abolished or more heavily controlled.

'Fertilisers are chemicals given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are applied either via the soil or by foliar spraying' (Wikipedia, 2005). Varying proportions of the three major plant nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are used as well as other chemicals in inorganic fertilisers. Organic fertilisers can be used to 'improve the production of new biomass in ... ecosystems' (Fullick, 2000). Manure was once the most popular fertiliser, as 'many UK and US a farmer's were 'mixed' farmers' (Fullick, 2000) producing livestock and crops, and is still a predominant organic fertiliser. 'Crop rotation' (Fullick, 2000) is another method of Organic Fertilisation. This method is based on the principle that one crop should not be grown in the same soil for one year. Organic fertilisers are more predominant in developing countries, which cannot afford the more expensive inorganic chemical fertilisers.

Positive effects of fertilisers on the environment are not as well-known as the negatives, due to media hype. However, they may be just as significant. Fertilisers aim to meet the following agricultural aspirations:

* to maximise productivity in terms of yield per unit area.
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* to increase the proportion of crop available for human consumption. (Bowsher, 2004)

Fertilisers will undoubtedly be needed as the world population 'has been predicted to reach 8.3 billion people by 2025' (Bowsher, 2004). But, will the effect on the environment due to increased usage, caused unprecedented problems? .

As fertilisers promote the growth of plants via maintaining adequate levels of nutrients in the soil, they often enhance the habitats of many species of animals, birds and insects. Fertilisers therefore provide 'sustenance and shelter' (Royal Horticultural Society, 2002), which may be heavily needed in damaged ...

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