The importance of the use of fertilisers

Defined by the law as "any substance which, by virtue of its nutrient content or its specific chemical, physical and biological characteristics, contributes to the improvement of the fertility of the agricultural land or to the nourishment of cultivated plant species or, in any case, to their better development", fertilizers are fundamental in the development of plants and crops.

Let’s take a closer look at fertilizers and their importance.

What are fertilizers made of?

First of all, fertilizers are composed of main nutrients, macroelements, which are:

• Nitrogen: it is able to stimulate the growth of plants and in particular it is the main constituent of proteins. Nitrogen is one of the key elements for healthy and reinforced plant development.
• Phosphorus: it is directly involved in the process of birth and during the growth of the plant, through photosynthesis and cell division. Moreover, it is indispensable when it comes to the formation and development of roots and seeds.
• Potassium: it is essential for the development of the fruit and, in general, is responsible for accelerating the growth of the plant.

In addition, secondary nutrients such as:

• Calcium,
• Sulfur,
• Magnesium,

and, finally, microelements that complete the formulation such as zinc, molybdenum, boron, manganese, and iron.

Why are fertilizers important?

Vital for the well-being of the soil and plants, the use of fertilizers makes possible greater availability for cultivation and an increase in productivity, allowing to have availability of food for a large part of the world population.

113 years ago, the German chemist Fritz Haber laid the foundations for the fertilizer industry by obtaining ammonia from hydrogen and atmospheric nitrogen: this revolutionary discovery has made possible the availability of a raw material - ammonia - in large quantities and consequently the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers on an industrial scale.

Therefore, fertilisation does not only mean contributing to the proper nutrition of plants, but also helping to develop a food chain that allows the majority of the world’s population to be fed.

How to apply fertilizers

The system of soil and crop nutrition is possible through different ways of application, depending on the type of fertilizer chosen:

• Radical application,
• Foliar application
• Application by fertigation system.

Microgranule for the precision fertilisation

Excessive or insufficient use of fertilisers has a negative impact on crop yield and nutrient balance in soil: for this reason, relying on microgranular fertilizers allows the farmer to control the amount used and to led to two main benefits:

1. Precise fertilisation allows the distribution of nutrients in a localised manner. Rationalizing the resources, consequently, will reduce the waste of material contributing to optimize expenses and resources used;
2. Even at the environmental level, the reduction of waste allows to reduce emissions.

Finally, using microgranules allows to contribute to the precision agriculture, managing to meet the different needs due to the increase in food requirements worldwide.