How Different Types of Fertilizers Help Plants Grow?

Plants and crops, as the living things they are, need food for their growth. Plants live on 16 vital elements. To start with, they get oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen from the surrounding environment, soil, and water. For the other elements - nitrogen, manganese, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, sulfur, molybdenum, boron, and chlorine – they depend on soil minerals and fertilizers. The rising world population has increased the demand for food grains. For better productivity, fertilizers are used in crop fields encouraging the growth of the global fertilizer market.

Fertilizers are available in different types with different merits and demerits. It is important to know the types before choosing one for the garden or crop field. The primary types of fertilizers are mentioned below:

1. Bio-Fertilizer

The microorganisms present in the environment are essential elements for the development of plants. They help the plants absorb nutrients from their surrounding atmosphere. The most efficient organisms are selected & screened, cultured, and added back to the soil directly or the seeds are layered for better results. These cultured microorganisms are called bio-fertilizers and can be applied with the help of some transporter materials.

2. Organic Fertilizer

As the name suggests, the organic fertilizers are made of natural materials and are ecological. The source compounds of an organic fertilizer may consist any of the following:

• Peat moss
• Compost
• Deposits of minerals
• Seaweeds
• Animal manure

Organic fertilizers have outstanding beneficial elements and they are good for both gardens and fields. The organic fertilizer exhibits its beneficial effects into the soil and plants straightaway once it is applied. Moreover, these fertilizers enhance the health of the soil and yield production for the long run.

3. Inorganic Fertilizer

Inorganic fertilizers are made in different forms such as powdered, liquid, and granulated which come in boxes and bags. This type of fertilizers is mainly made of water-diluted concentrated ammonia. Inorganic fertilizers are specifically used in industrial fields. This type of fertilizers can be manufactured in large quantity with minimal effort and hence inexpensive. Compared to organic fertilizers, these fertilizers are thinner. Therefore, the nutrients are spread to different parts of the plant with much ease.

4. Chemical Nitrogenous Fertilizer

Chemical nitrogenous fertilizers contain nitrogen in the highest amount. Coming into contact with the rainwater, nitrogen in the fertilizer is transformed into ammonia. The ammonia-mixed water and the fertilizer nutrients are absorbed into the ground and reach the root system of the plant. Nitrogenous chemical fertilizers are available as pellets or white granules in the market. These fertilizers are used before or during the plantation.

5. Complete Fertilizer

Compound fertilizers can’t be applied to various types of soils. In such situations, fertilizers with more than two minerals or nutrients in reasonable proportions are used. This type of fertilizer gets adapted to any type of soil easily. This is a mixture of different types of fertilizers that eliminates various deficits in the soil and the plant.  Three basic nutrients namely nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are used to manufacture this type of fertilizer called complete fertilizer.

Covid-19 Impact on the Fertilizer Market

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted the global fertilizers market in a negative way. In order to curb the spread of the novel virus, governments across the nations have imposed restrictions in travel and physical contact. Restrictions on supply chain have impacted the food and fertilizers market in a negative way. Shortage of labor and shutting down of manufacturing industry are other factors affecting the industry. Fertilizers are being stockpiled due to the restrictions on the food industry especially the operations of hotels and restaurants. These are the reasons behind the downfall of the market during the pandemic. However, the leading fertilizers companies are working diligently to revive the market by developing various unique strategies.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.