(*a larger colour scale is in the bristle)FAQ on Fertilizer
Q. What is Fertilizer?
A. Fertilizer is large number of natural and synthetic matters, when spread to soil it help support plant growth.
Q. What’s in the fertilizer?
A. There is many type of ingredients in fertilizer depending on what plant you use, but they are categories in 3 sections. The three major nutrients are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium, secondary nutrients include calcium Sulphur and magnesium. Micronutrient (presented in soil) that might contain in fertilizer may include(s) Iron, Boron, Copper, manganese and zinc.
Q. How do these items help?
A. I provided a table to make it easier
|
Nutrients |
How they help plant’s growth |
|
Nitrogen |
Nitrogen aids in developing green leaves, and is important for photosynthesis to occur, it’s the primary factor nutrient for growth |
|
Phosphate |
Phosphate is usually found in higher concentration in started fertilizers, and fertilizers that support flower and fruit production. |
|
Potassium |
Potassium helps improve the durability of the plant making it more tolerant to varies type of climate and improving the plant’s resistance to disease. |
|
Calcium |
Improve the plant vigor and promotes early root hair promotion. (Can cause blossom in tomatoes peppers and eggplant). |
|
Sulphur |
Helps maintain the dark green colour while encouraging more vigorous plant growth. |
|
Magnesium |
Helps regulate uptake of other plant foods and aids in seed formation. |
|
Iron |
Aids in the production of chlorophyll. |
|
Boron |
Improves bud growth and increase quality and quantity of yield. |
|
Copper |
Acts as an oxidizer in plant processes and affects intercellular metabolism. |
|
Manganese |
Increases the ease of use of other nutrients and accelerates germination. |
|
Zinc |
Is associated with the activity of growth hormones in the plant. |
Q. Why are fertilizers Important?
A. Fertilizer are needed for profitable farming production, they help the growth of the plant.
Q. Is there any proof of Fertilizer Runoff?
A. 5 ears ago, researchers have discovered a “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico.
(*a larger colour scale is in the bristle)
Has you can see on the map, it is already the size of Massachusetts, and is growing in size every year. No living fish or other living aquatic animals live in this area, only decomposing bodies.
Q. What can be done about Fertilizer RunOff?
A. We need a nationwide policy aimed at reducing the fertilizer runoff. Also Organic fertilizers can be the solution to this crisis because they only release nutrients as needed by vegetation. Synthetic chemical fertilizers release nitrogen automatically when acted upon by water or the environment.
Q. Why don’t we ban Fertilizer?
A. Fertilizer has help the economy and farmer. Research has shown that with proper application, fertilizer is not a significant source. When phosphate is applied to soils, it binds to the soil particles. It becomes highly resistant to leaching or washing through the soil profile. Phosphate becomes a problem when the soil erodes into the surface water.
The problem occurs when fertilizer is spilt onto hard surfaces or applied to frozen ground. This washes with rain or snowmelt into storm drains and lakes.
Q. How should homeowner avoid this?
Keep fertilizers, leaves and lawn clippings off the streets, driveways and other hard surfaces. In addition, prevent erosion by covering all slopes with turf or other plant materials. Water lawn with about ¼ to ½ inch of water after a fertilizer application. This helps move the material into the soil and reduces the potential of being lost in runoff.
This is where i got my information!!!