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Nourishing the Earth |
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In the early days of agriculture, mankind lacked a deep understanding of how
plants acquired vital nutrients. It so transpired that waste materials such as
wood ash, fish remnants, and slaughterhouse refuse were carelessly discarded
onto unoccupied land, simply to dispose of them. Curiously, people began to
observe that the grass, shrubs, and bushes on this forsaken soil thrived
abundantly. Through logical deduction, they inferred that if they were to treat
their cultivated land in a similar manner, their crops would also flourish.
Gradually, the realization dawned upon them that plants derived their necessary
nutrients from the earth itself, and that the application of organic remnants to
the soil could augment the nutrient content. Thus, commenced the age-old
practice of manuring in agriculture.
The utilization of manure can be traced back as far as the seventeenth century.
However, the true significance of manuring remained elusive until scientists
commenced their investigations into the nutritional requirements of plants,
ultimately giving birth to fertilizers. In this manner, the usage of fertilizers
gradually gained acceptance among farmers.
Today, a diverse array of manures and fertilizers are employed. Manure, derived
from animal and plant sources, possesses a crucial advantage: not only does it
furnish a broad spectrum of plant nutrients, but it also enhances the soil's
structure. It binds together soil particles, forming cohesive crumbs that are
highly desirable in cultivated soil. By incorporating manure into the soil, both
the inorganic and humus content increase, thus safeguarding against soil erosion
and the leaching of nutrients during rainfall. Common types of manure used in
agriculture include farmyard manure, compost, blood meal, bone meal, and fish
meal.
In contrast to manure, fertilizers are inorganic substances that do not
contribute to soil structure improvement. Their sole purpose is to supply
additional nutrients to growing plants when applied to the soil. Contemporary
commercial fertilizers can be broadly categorized into three main groups:
nitrogen (N), phosphate, and potash fertilizers.
Apart from understanding the appropriate fertilizer type, a farmer must also
possess knowledge regarding the timing and method of application. Fertilizers
should be administered when plants are in dire need of specific nutrients. The
efficacy of fertilizer utilization in agriculture hinges upon the timing and
manner of application. Poorly applied fertilizers cannot be efficiently absorbed
by plant roots and may either be washed away by rain or prove detrimental to the
plants, resulting in a definite financial loss for the farmer. |
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