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As we need water and food to do our daily tasks similarly plants also need different chemicals to complete their life cycle. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are the most important chemicals. These chemicals are absorbed by the plants through the soil or water. As we know, a lot of crops are being harvested in only one patch of land. So gradually the amount of essential plant nutrients in the soil decreases and soil can't provide the desired quantity of essential plant nutrients to the plants and consequently, the growth of plants is effected. So these plant nutrients are provided to the soil in the form of fertilizer. Actually, fertilizer contain necessary amount of essential chemicals according to the need of soil. In short fertilizer are used for the better growth of plants.

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13y ago
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7y ago

Fertilizer is needed when plants are harvested for food by either animals or machines, and nothing is returned to the land. When the amount of nutrients is exported off the land base and not returned, these nutrients become depleted in the soil, so they need to be returned in the form of manure or fertilizer. If these nutrients are not returned, plants suffer and become less vigorous and productive over time. Land that once held a bumper crop year after year without needing fertilizer now barely makes enough for a farmer to even break even on his net returns. Fertilizer, in this case, is definitely needed to give plants a short-term boost in productivity again.

Fertilizer gives a short-term boost for plants, but it's not best long-term. Fertilizer can make plants lazy and significantly reduce soil microbial and fungal populations to unhealthy levels. Fertilizers also don't replace the organic matter that may be also reduced with crop production. Manure is the best option for replacing nutrient levels to the soil on cropland and gardens.


Lawns can also suffer from nutrient losses if person are active about removing mowed material from lawns to dump the "waste" somewhere else, instead of leaving the litter behind to decompose back into the lawn. Nitrogen needs to be added to the lawn to keep it a nice deep green.

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7y ago

Fertilisers provide some of the nutrients which a plant needs to grow - particularly if it is growing in poor soil.

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Q: Why do plants need fertilizer?
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Related questions

What effects can fertilizer do to plants?

Fertilizer supplies plants with nitrogen and various nutrients based on the type of fertilizer which plants need for growth. It doesn't provide electrolytes however.


What types of soil do plants need?

Plants need a fertilizer (and soil) called potting mix.


What can fertillizer do to plants?

Fertilizer supplies plants with nitrogen and various nutrients based on the type of fertilizer which plants need for growth. It doesn't provide electrolytes however.


How much fertilizer is needed per cow per year?

None. Cows are not plants: they do not need fertilizer.


Why do plants fail to produce fruits?

You need more Nitrogen in your fertilizer


How will the fertilizer effect the pant grow?

Fertilizer affects the growth and health of plants. Too much fertilizer can be as detrimental as not enough. Fertilizer is a combination of minerals that feed plants. As with other living things, plants need food to flourish. Although, there are small amounts of minerals in fertilizer, the three larger, basic ones are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.


Is hydroponics a good way to grow plants?

If you provide the proper fertilizer and minerals the plants need then yes.


What do vegetable plants need?

fertilizer, water, sunlight... tender love and care


What kind of acidic fertilizer should you buy for hosta plants?

Hostas need 13-13-13 slow acting fertilizer.


Do plants grow faster in fertilizer or water?

fertilizer


What is the independent variables of fertilizer to plants?

How much fertilizer will be used and what kind of fertilizer.


Does fertilizer make plants grow taller?

Fertilizer can help plants grow taller by providing essential nutrients they need for healthy growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, overuse of fertilizer can lead to excessive growth or "leggy" plants that may be weak or unhealthy. It's important to use fertilizer in appropriate quantities and according to the specific needs of the plant species.