Why does fertilizers help plants grow

Fertilisers are chemicals that are added to soil to supply nutrients to make it more fertile. The chemicals in fertilisers contain essential elements required for plant growth. Plants need many different elements for their growth. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are available from air and water. Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur , calcium, magnesium and sodium are also needed for plant growth. In addition, plants need very small amounts trace elements of boron, copperiron, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, chlorine, iodine, selenium and zinc for healthy growth.

Some elements may not be needed for plant growth but may be important for the nutrition of grazing animals. Fertilisers supply plants with the elements that may be missing or in short supply in a form that can be used by the plants for faster growth. Most fertilisers supply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The other elements needed by plants are required in much lower quantities trace elements and are generally available in most soils.

In nature, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium often come from the decay of plants that have died. Forests were burnt to clear the land. The ash provided a source of nutrients, but once these were depleted, pastures and crops began to fail. Early farmers added chemical elements to the soil by adding compost, animal manure, dried and ground animal blood and bone or ground nutrient-rich rocks mixed with chemicals that allowed the plants to absorb the nutrients.

Superphosphate is an artificial fertiliser and is the most important fertiliser used in New Zealand. Superphosphate was developed to address the shortage of phosphorus in soil. It is made by reacting finely ground phosphate rock with sulfuric acid. In this form, phosphate is rapidly released into the soil, where it can be used by plants.

Superphosphate manufacture began in New Zealand in , and over 3 million tonnes are produced annually. These fertilizers are high in phosphorus. Buy phosphate fertilizers Multipeak and Multibloom online in India. These fertilizers are high in potassium. Addition of potash leads to increased fruit production, with high quality, better tasting, shiny fruits.

These are combinations of all 3 NPK. Common combinations: Nitrophosphate , Mono Ammonium phosphate , Diammonium phosphate , Nitrophosphate with potash- Suphala , Sampurna These are given in lesser quantity to plants for enhanced growth.

Micronutrients are provided in case if plants are showing deficiency of any particular micronutrient. They are given as basal dose during plantation or during top dressing of garden plants. Many brands of micronutrients are available in market. Read more about why should you add manure to plants? Gardening Basics. All the above nutrients can be provided to plants by applying following fertilizers: 1. Cow dung manure: It is most commonly available organic fertilizer in India. Fertilizers can have different benefits during plants different growing period.

Boosting Growth. Fertilizers can encourage the rapid growth of plants. Nitrogen is considered as a growth booster and a greening agent. So fertilizers which have rich nitrogen are particularly useful for plant growth.

Acceleration of Maturation. The Phosphorus nutrient in fertilizers is mainly responsible for plant maturity. Enhance Resistance. Potassium can strengthen the stalks and straws of plants, enabling them to hold more water and become more resistant to drought conditions. So fertilizers can improve seed and fruit quality, producing greater produce and better earnings.