Importance of Fertilisers
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 10.4.5
NPK Fertilisers
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are all essential elements for plant growth. Harvesting crops may mean that there isn't enough of these elements in the soil. Fertilisers can help to top up these nutrients.
Increase agricultural productivity
- Fertilisers increase the amount of essential nutrients present in the soil. This results in an increase in agricultural productivity.
Contain NPK salts
- NPK fertilisers contain salts of the three essential elements in carefully controlled percentages.
Test yourself on Importance of Fertilisers
What elements are essential for the success of plants?
Why might a farmer need to add fertiliser to a field that has grown crops for several years?
A field has grown the same crop for many years without any fertiliser being added. What is most likely to happen to the soil's nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels?
A farmer's soil is missing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium after years of harvesting the same crop. What should the farmer do to restore agricultural productivity?
How does adding NPK fertiliser increase a farm's agricultural productivity?