Advantages of Fertilizers.
• Fertilizers are nutrient specific, so these supply specific elements to the soil.
• Fertilizers are compact and in concentrated form, So they are easy to store and transport. They are even required in very small amount.
• Fertilizers are readily absorbed by the plants because they are soluble in water.
• Fertilizers are available throughout the year at the places.
• Fertilizers are a factor in higher yields of high cost farming.
Disadvantages of Fertilizers. Fertilizers are non-biodegradable. The excessive use of fertilizer causes.
• Water pollution in lakes and rives due to eutrophication which makes the water unfit for human consumption and even ***** the aquatic animals.
• Change in the nature of soil (or soil chemistry) making it either too alkaline or too acidic. For example, when we use ammonium sulphate fertilizer in the same soil again and again, the soil becomes acidic whereas when we use sodium fertilizer in the same soil again and again, the soil becomes alkaline.
• Fertilizers are quite expensive. They push the cost of crop production.
• Fertilizers give only short term benefits.
• They harm soil microorganisms.
• Nonreplenishment of organic matter destroys the crumb structure of soil affecting both hydration.
