The etymological origin of the term in question is found in Latin. And it is the result of the sum of several lexical components of said language:
-The adjective «fertilis», which can be translated as «passive».
-The «-izare» component, which is synonymous with «convert into».
-The suffix «-nte», which is used to indicate the «agent».
The adjective fertilizer is used to describe what is used to fertilize : making the soil fertile or gaining more fertility . Thanks to the use of a fertilizer product, therefore, the land can offer greater production.
It is important to mention that fertilizer can be used as a synonym for fertilizer , another term that refers to something that helps improve the fertility of the soil or crops .
A fertilizer, in short, is an inorganic or organic substance that contains nutrients that can be assimilated by plants or that serve to increase the nutritional quality of the soil. These substances provide an extra contribution of the chemical elements that plants need to grow.
Inorganic fertilizers are produced in laboratories or obtained from the exploitation of a natural deposit. These are mineral fertilizers that contain potassium, iron or other nutrients.
Fertilizers of chemical or inorganic origin, it is important to know that they are fast-acting and that this makes them very useful when it comes to achieving the growth of the plants or crops in question in a short period of time.
Organic fertilizers , on the other hand, are of plant or animal origin. Guano , bird droppings, is one of the best-known organic fertilizers: it contains potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. The use of manure , another organic fertilizer, is also very common.
Of the organic type fertilizers, it should also be noted that they are slower in reaching their objective and that they are very appropriate for humid soils, for hot soils or for those that have an alkaline PH, for example.
In addition, there are other classifications of fertilizers, which leave us with varieties such as those called slow release, which are usually presented in pill format. Specifically, if they receive that name it is because the elements that make them up are released slowly, over a period of up to three months.
Likewise, we also come across liquid fertilizers that are identified by the fact that they are easily mixed with the irrigation water used in crops or plants. They are chemical and act very quickly, being recommended for the months of warmer temperatures.
Beyond their usefulness, the production and use of fertilizers can cause different types of problems for both humans and plants and ecosystems . Pollution of drinking water , erosion and the emission of greenhouse gases are some of its potential effects. For this reason, at an international level, there are various regulations that regulate and control the manufacture and use of fertilizers.