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Questions and Answers
What defines fertilizers?
What defines fertilizers?
- Substances that are always organic in nature
- Natural materials that only come from livestock
- Materials that are never nutrient-rich
- Nutrient-rich substances added to soil for plant growth (correct)
Which characteristic distinguishes manure from fertilizers?
Which characteristic distinguishes manure from fertilizers?
- Manure is obtained from the decomposition of organic matter (correct)
- Fertilizers improve soil physical condition significantly
- Fertilizers degrade into humus over time
- Manure is chemically synthesized
Why is manure often preferred over fertilizers?
Why is manure often preferred over fertilizers?
- Manure does not damage crops and enhances fertility (correct)
- Fertilizers do not provide any nutrients to the soil
- Fertilizers are more beneficial in large quantities
- Manure contains more synthetic chemicals than fertilizers
What might have led people in ancient times to discover the benefits of manure?
What might have led people in ancient times to discover the benefits of manure?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of fertilizers?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of fertilizers?
What was the primary role of women in early agriculture?
What was the primary role of women in early agriculture?
How do fertilizers typically affect soil fertility when used regularly?
How do fertilizers typically affect soil fertility when used regularly?
What was the first action that led to the start of farming?
What was the first action that led to the start of farming?
What tool was primarily used for farming in ancient times?
What tool was primarily used for farming in ancient times?
What is a significant disadvantage of using fertilizers extensively?
What is a significant disadvantage of using fertilizers extensively?
In what way did people in olden days learn about agriculture?
In what way did people in olden days learn about agriculture?
How was the wooden plough operated during cultivation?
How was the wooden plough operated during cultivation?
What natural material was used as manure in ancient agriculture?
What natural material was used as manure in ancient agriculture?
Why did early agricultural societies not initially use animals for ploughing?
Why did early agricultural societies not initially use animals for ploughing?
Which of the following is NOT a source of manure?
Which of the following is NOT a source of manure?
How does manure contribute to soil health?
How does manure contribute to soil health?
What primary elements in organic fertilizer feed microbes and help make nutrients available for plants?
What primary elements in organic fertilizer feed microbes and help make nutrients available for plants?
Which advantage is associated with using organic fertilizers compared to synthetic options?
Which advantage is associated with using organic fertilizers compared to synthetic options?
What is one of the disadvantages of organic fertilizers?
What is one of the disadvantages of organic fertilizers?
How do organic fertilizers contribute to preventing soil erosion?
How do organic fertilizers contribute to preventing soil erosion?
What is a common property of commercial organic fertilizers?
What is a common property of commercial organic fertilizers?
What is the typical NPK ratio for organic fertilizers?
What is the typical NPK ratio for organic fertilizers?
Which of the following is NOT considered an example of organic fertilizer?
Which of the following is NOT considered an example of organic fertilizer?
Why might organic fertilizers be considered more expensive in comparison to chemical fertilizers?
Why might organic fertilizers be considered more expensive in comparison to chemical fertilizers?
What is a significant advantage of using chemical fertilizers in critical situations?
What is a significant advantage of using chemical fertilizers in critical situations?
Which of the following is a disadvantage of chemical fertilizers?
Which of the following is a disadvantage of chemical fertilizers?
How do chemical fertilizers contribute to increased productivity?
How do chemical fertilizers contribute to increased productivity?
What effect does excessive use of chemical fertilizers have on groundwater?
What effect does excessive use of chemical fertilizers have on groundwater?
What is a key advantage of organic fertilizers?
What is a key advantage of organic fertilizers?
What is a potential consequence of excessive chemical fertilizer application?
What is a potential consequence of excessive chemical fertilizer application?
In terms of cost, how do chemical fertilizers compare to organic ones?
In terms of cost, how do chemical fertilizers compare to organic ones?
Which of these is NOT a disadvantage associated with the use of chemical fertilizers?
Which of these is NOT a disadvantage associated with the use of chemical fertilizers?
Which of the following is a disadvantage of chemical fertilizers?
Which of the following is a disadvantage of chemical fertilizers?
What is a key characteristic of organic fertilizers?
What is a key characteristic of organic fertilizers?
How does the cost of chemical fertilizers compare to organic fertilizers?
How does the cost of chemical fertilizers compare to organic fertilizers?
What is a common misconception about the nutrient distribution in chemical fertilizers?
What is a common misconception about the nutrient distribution in chemical fertilizers?
What happens to soil fertility with the use of chemical fertilizers?
What happens to soil fertility with the use of chemical fertilizers?
How do chemical fertilizers affect soil structure?
How do chemical fertilizers affect soil structure?
When did the use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides become prominent?
When did the use of chemical fertilizers and insecticides become prominent?
Which characteristic is associated with organic fertilizers as compared to chemical fertilizers?
Which characteristic is associated with organic fertilizers as compared to chemical fertilizers?
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Study Notes
The Origins of Farming
- Women were the first farmers
- Women gathered fruits and leaves from the forest
- They observed how plants grow from seeds
- This led to the beginning of farming
Tilling the Land
- Wooden ploughs were used to till the soil
- Initially, one person held the plough and another pulled it
- Later, animals like cows, buffalo, and horses were used
Manure
- Manure is a natural fertilizer
- It comes from animal waste, specifically the solid waste
- It improves the soil quality and increases crop yield
- Manure adds nutrients to the soil and makes it more fertile
- It does not harm water bodies
Sources of Manure
- Cattle dung, urine, and slurry from biogas plants
- Waste from human habitation: urine, night soil, sewage, domestic waste
- Droppings of goat and sheep
- Waste from slaughterhouses: bones, meat, horn and hoof meal, fish waste
- By-products of agricultural industries
- Crop waste
Fertilizers
- Fertilizers are nutrient-rich substances added to the soil to increase fertility
- They can be organic, inorganic, natural, or synthetic
- They supply elements necessary for plant growth
Differences Between Manure and Fertilizer
- Manure
- Obtained naturally from the decomposition of dead plants and animals
- Not very rich in nutrients
- Slowly absorbed by plants
- Provides humus to the soil
- Prepared naturally in the fields
- Improves the physical conditions of the soil
- Does not adversely affect the plant or soil even in large quantities
- Fertilizers
- Chemical substances, not typically natural
- Rich in soil nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
- Easily absorbed by plants
- Does not provide any humus to the soil
- Prepared in factories
- Improves the physical condition of the soil
- Adversely affects the soil and plant if supplied in large quantities
Advantages of Manure
- Manure adds nutrients to the soil without affecting its fertility
- It does not damage crops and produces healthy plants
Disadvantages of Chemical Fertilizers
- Lower soil fertility if used regularly
- Damage crops and make them unhealthy for consumption
- Increases soil acidity levels
- Can lead to soil degradation
- Contributes to groundwater contamination
- Causes salt burns
- Can lead to excessive growth of crops, jeopardizing the harvest
Advantages of Organic Fertilizers
- Improves soil structure
- Helps microbes thrive
- Sustainable and environmentally friendly
- Cheaper than chemical fertilizers
- Reduces soil erosion
Disadvantages of Organic Fertilizers
- Limited nutrient availability
- Labor-intensive to apply
- More expensive per unit than chemical fertilizers
Differences Between Chemical and Organic Fertilizers
- Chemical Fertilizer
- NPK ratio: 20-60%
- Examples: ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium chloride
- Advantages: rich in essential nutrients, readily available for plants
- Disadvantages: high acid content, soil fertility changes, potential for burning skin
- Rate of production: Immediate supply
- Preparation: Artificially prepared
- Nutrients: Equal distribution of essential nutrients
- Cost: Cheaper per pound but less nutrient-dense
- Organic Fertilizer
- NPK ratio: About 14%
- Examples: Cottonseed meal, blood meal, fish emulsion, manure, sewage sludge
- Advantages: adds natural nutrients, improves soil structure, increases water-holding capacity, reduces soil crusting
- Disadvantages: slow nutrient release, uneven nutrient distribution
- Rate of production: Slow release
- Preparation: Naturally prepared, can be made at home or bought
- Nutrients: Uneven distribution of essential nutrients
- Cost: More expensive per pound but requires less per application
The Rise of Chemical Fertilizers and Insecticides
- Began to increase around 40-45 years ago
Harmful Effects of Chemical Insecticides on Biodiversity
- The text does not contain specific information on the harmful effects of chemical insecticides on biodiversity.
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