Fertilizer is a nutrient supplement for plants that can be natural or synthetic. They enhance the activeness of soil through high water retention and improved aeration that aid in plant growth. These additional supplements are very important for plants' health and are used in commercial farming as well as for home-grown plants. Smart agriculture is the base of modern India and these functional foods for the plant have a huge role in increasing the nutritional value of the plant. These superfoods for plants provide macro and micronutrients to the plants.
Types of Fertilizers
These nutritional supplements are of three types: mineral, organic, and industrial. Mineral fertilizers are extracted from the environment and then chemically treated. Organic ones are made from animal & plant waste and decomposed material and prepared in a slow natural decomposition process. Industrial fertilizers are manufactured through chemical processes and are used for commercial farming.
A total of 17 nutrients are needed for overall plant growth and to maintain their health. The type of nutrient that is missing in the soil needs to be supplemented through these nutrient-dense foods. The soil structure is maintained by organic fertilizers but mineral fertilizers are in huge demand in recent times due to the rising world population.
Best Fertilizers in the Market
Nitrogen-based fertilizer is considered to be good for plants. Nitrogen is an important element for the growth of living things. Air has around 78% nitrogen but plants and animals cannot use nitrogen directly. So, this is provided to them through nitrogen-based fertilizers. The problem with using nitrogen-based fertilizers in industrial agriculture is that all nitrogen is not used by the plant and some residue passes into the soil and water has negative consequences. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are used to solve this problem and soil scientists are working to find alternative ways to promote plant growth naturally.
A growing population is putting pressure on traditional farming methods and agricultural produce. Several new and innovative techniques are used in the modern farming method to support plant growth that can provide food to fulfil the growing demand. There is a separate market for organic food and commercially produced goods that have only one differentiating factor – the process of agriculture.
Fertilizers are used by farmers for supporting plant growth and increasing the production capacity along with maintaining soil health for future agriculture. The type of fertilizers used by them varies according to the soil, crop type, and other factors. Organic fertilizers are considered best for plants' and hence there is a huge demand for plant-based food items in the market. As long as fertilizers are used in moderate quantities, they are good for crop production.