This is especially true for chemical fertilisers, since they increase the size of these rich harvests each year since the 1930s. Not only are chemical fertilisers growth advocates, but they’re also cost-effective for farmers and growers. However, should we still be concerned about the side effects of this planting miracle?
First off, chemical fertilisers are made from chemicals that are processed by using chemical treatments, unlike organic fertilisers which are made of natural ingredients (plant and animal remains, or organic waste). Fertilisers need to be composed of macronutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in order to enhance plant growth. However, chemical fertilisers tend to have a lot of nitrogen, which can prove damaging to both the environment and life, if left unchecked. To make matters worse, we only understand the gist of the problem, and not the whole story of it; and it will take years, unfortunately, for the world to address such a problem.
To better understand the dangerous, we put together a list of how chemical fertilisers can affect the environment, and what that can mean for human health.
• Less Nutrients
Crops, such as vegetables, are supposed to be packed with nutrients, and even promote human health. But when food crops use chemical fertilisers, they will be robbed of the amount of nutrients that humans need for a healthy lifestyle.While elements such as nitrogen and fast-acting plant-growth chemicals are promoted in these fertilisers, essential nutrients such as calcium, zinc, and iron will be lacking in the food that people eat. Thus, these crops will have less nutritional value, when these fertilisers are applied to them.
• Chemical Burn
As mentioned earlier, chemical fertilisers tend to be high in nitrogen count. Nitrogen is responsible for speeding up the growing process; however, if you apply too much of this fertilizer, then you may be doing more harm than good to your plants.Too much exposure to these chemicals can cause plant leaves to turn yellow or brown, thus damaging the plant, killing it, and counting it as a loss. Chemical leaf scorch is a common condition that plagues crops, whenever chemical fertilisers aren’t distributed properly. Moderate usage should be key here, but sadly, it can still be tempting to use more of it to produce more crops.
• Acidic Soil
Chemical fertilisers can prove damaging to soil, once it seeps down to the ground. And as soil becomes more acidic to the chemicals (including excess amount of nitrogen), organic matter decreases, and the topsoil becomes so toxic that crops cannot grow and survive in it.One solution may be to use clay soil, instead of sandy soil, to help slow down the effects of excess chemical fertilisation; however, that still doesn’t seem enough, when considering what can happen just below the surface, if these chemicals seep deeper into the ground.
• Water Contamination
Just below the surface is groundwater; and it can be easy for chemical fertilisers to seep into the earth and get into this water. Once the chemicals find its way into this water, they can make their way into larger bodies of water, which accounts for plant and animal life. Not to mention, excess amounts of nitrogen can kill off fish that live in these affected waters.• Instigates Global Warming
However, the biggest problem remains: global warming. The production of carbon dioxide accounts for much of global warming; however, nitrogen also accounts for it, though not as much as carbon dioxide. With cars, engines, and power plants already contributing to the problem by releasing nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, the use of chemical fertilisers isn’t helping matters by indirectly adding more nitrogen to the environment.Also check out our next post on 10+ top agribusinesses that can make you a millionaire.
Conclusion
Using chemical fertilisers can be hazardous, whether farms and growers use them in moderation or excessively. However, it’s always tempting to use more to increase plant growth, despite its long-term, damaging consequences to both the environment and human health.Consider using safer alternatives such as natural fertilisers and/or sustainable methods that won’t damage the crops, or infect soils to where they cause plants to die. Crops need to have nutrients to grow and survive, and so do human beings; let’s try to keep it that way.
Ashley Halsey writes for both Luckyassignments.com and Gumessays.com As a professional writer, she has contributed to many projects throughout the country. In her spare time, she travels, reads, attends business training courses, and spends time with her two children.
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