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Introduction

Agriculture chemistry is the study of agricultural production, as well as the interaction of plants, bacteria, animals, and their environment. It is a scientific field that studies the composition of both chemistry and biochemistry. We study the production of food, Agri products, and beverages from raw materials in agriculture chemistry. Herbicides, growth regulators, fertilisers, insecticides, and pesticides are examples of agricultural materials. Agricultural chemistry seeks to increase agricultural yield, improve soil quality and fertility, and increase crop yield.

What is Agricultural Chemistry

Agriculture is the process of raising livestock, crops, and other food products. Agriculture in the modern era includes horticulture, agronomy, dairying, soil chemistry, animal husbandry, and so on. Organic, inorganic, and agricultural products are all studied in chemistry. Agricultural chemistry is the application of both agriculture and chemistry that deals with crop production and improvement. Photosynthesis, fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides, irrigation, agricultural produce storage, food processing, chemicals etc.

Why Agricultural Chemistry is important?

Chemistry plays a significant role in crop and livestock production, controlling pathogens, insects, and weeds, and improving crop yield. The world’s population is growing by the day. To meet the growing population’s demand, agricultural chemistry not only improves crop production resources but also uses crops and crop waste to produce renewable fuel and feedstocks. We know that plants produce food through the process of photosynthesis. It is a natural phenomenon, but we can learn about the mechanism involved in the photosynthesis process thanks to agricultural chemistry. This aided us in increasing crop production.

1. Agriculture chemistry contributes to soil quality improvement by testing soil and nutrients.
2. Fertilisers are organic and inorganic compounds that can be found naturally or synthetically. They are applied to the soil during agriculture to increase crop yield. Fertilisers are applied to the soil to provide the macro and micronutrients required for crop production.
3. Pesticides and insecticides are chemicals that are used in crop production to reduce damage caused by insects and pests.
4. Agriculture chemistry aids in the storage of food products, such as sulphur dioxide, which is used to keep grains fresh for long-term storage. Salicylic acid and sodium benzoate are used in food preservation and shelf life extension.
5. Modern agricultural chemistry is now using crop and food waste to produce renewable energy fuels and beverages. Examples include the production of alcohol from bagasse and the use of the Jatropha plant in the production of fuel.

Type of Material	Products
Food	Refined oil, Butter, cheese, etc.
Petroleum	Kerosene, Diesel, Petrol, etc
Construction	Mortar, glass, chemicals, and chemical compounds.
Household	Cooking gas, food process.

What is the purpose of Agricultural Chemistry?

Agricultural Chemistry’s goal is to increase crop production by using pesticides, fungicides, fertilisers, and other chemicals.  In modern chemistry, Crops and other crop wastes are used in the production of biofuels and beverages.

1. As agriculture advances, chemistry improves irrigation techniques through the use of plastic pipes, drip irrigation techniques, sprinkler systems, and so on. Crop production has increased as a result of improved irrigation and a favourable climate.
2. It has invented preservatives such as salicylic acid and sodium benzoates, as well as other chemicals, to extend the shelf life of food products.
3. Agricultural chemistry applied science improves crop quality and yield and lowers production costs.
4. A subfield of agricultural chemistry Chemurgy is working on utilising agricultural products as raw materials for subsequent production such as oil production, petroleum, cooking gas, and so on.

Summary

We learned that agricultural chemistry is a branch of science that deals with the intersection of chemistry and agriculture production. It aids in the production of agricultural products as well as the processing of food and beverages from raw materials. It establishes the relationship between the environment, microbes, plants, and animals. Furthermore, it aids in increasing the quantity and quality of food. Agriculture chemistry incorporates not only chemistry and agriculture, but also microbiology, genetics, physiology, entomology, ecology, and so on.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Organic fertilisers: what are they?

Ans. Animal manure, fruit and vegetable compost, and fish are examples of living systems from which organic fertilisers are derived. The soil’s microbial population breaks down organic waste. It is rich in potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, etc.

2. Inorganic fertilisers: What are they?

Ans. Minerals and synthetic chemicals are used to make inorganic fertiliser, which is synthetic. Petroleum is frequently used to produce inorganic nitrogen.

3. What do you mean by Insecticides and Pesticides?

Ans. Chemicals called pesticides are used to protect crops from things like fungi, weeds, and pests. Chemicals called insecticides are used to eradicate insects that are harmful to crops or livestock. 

Introduction

Most plastic is made up of organic polymers. The chains of carbon atoms that make up these polymers may or may not be linked together with oxygen, sulphur, and nitrogen atoms. Given that they are made up of numerous repeating monomers, plastics can be thought of as both macromolecules and polymers. Different polymers have different backbones and side chains, which is how plastics differ chemically from one another.

What are Plastics?

A wide variety of synthetic and semisynthetic materials are used to create plastics. Different polymers have different backbones and side chains, that is how plastics differ chemically from one another. Polyesters, Silicon, Polyurethanes, Acrylics, and Halogenated are significant groups into which Plastic is divided into various polymers. Different physical characteristics of plastic include its hardness, tensile strength, density, thermal conductivity, and resistance.

What are Thermoplastic Plastics?

1. Thermoplastics are soft and less brittle and are created by additional polymerization. 
2. In organic solvents, they can be dissolved. 
3. The thermoplastics become softer when heated and can therefore be moulded into any shape while still warm. 
4. However, once cooled, the material hardens and rigidifies, holding the moulded shape. Without changing their chemical makeup, they can be repeatedly heated up and moulded into any other shape.

Mention some characteristics of Thermoplastic Plastics

1. Have high molecular mass
2. As the temperature rises, the intermolecular force between the chains weakens, producing a viscous liquid.
3. These polymers are moldable.
4. Easy to recycle
5. These polymers are strong yet lightweight.

What are Thermosetting Plastics?

The macromolecular chains in thermosetting polymers tend to bond with one another to form a cross-linked 3D network. Thermosets are other names for these polymers. The word “thermosetting” is defined as a term that refers to permanently setting upon heating. Thus, after being heated to their pre-thermoset form, the thermosetting polymers acquire their hard texture.

Mention some characteristics of Thermosetting Plastics

1. Typically, thermosetting plastics can withstand heat. They tend to break down before melting, though, when heat is applied at a high intensity.
2. Thermosetting polymers are brittle by nature because heating causes them to lose their elasticity.
3. These polymers cannot be heated again after they have been cured or moulded.
4. The constituent elements used to make the polymer have an impact on the Thermoset density.
5. Typically, thermosets are resistant to chemical harm.

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Advantages of Plastics

1. Plastics are incredibly flexible and can be moulded into a wide variety of designs to suit our needs.
2. It is extremely lightweight and strong in construction.
3. It can be altered into various forms, colours, and textures and gives us a significant marketing advantage.
4. Plastic products are corrosion-resistant and very inexpensive to produce.
5. Instead of other metal materials, plastic products can be handled and stored more easily. They can also be recycled and reused repeatedly.
6. Because plastic is water and moisture-resistant, it is also simple to store and transport food in plastic packets or containers.

Disadvantages of Plastics

1. The biggest issue in the world is how to dispose of plastics because they cannot easily decompose through any natural process, such as the action of bacteria or microbes. Since plastic takes a long time to decompose, it is not environmentally friendly.
2. Plastic contributes to environmental pollution because it releases a lot of harmful fumes into the air when it is burned.
3. Unlike metals, plastics cannot be recycled repeatedly into a wide variety of products because doing so compromises their integrity and quality.
4. Plastics are made from non-renewable resources like petroleum, natural gas, and coal, which contribute to the depletion of these resources and increased dependence on fossil fuels.
5. Plastic production generates significant greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change and its related negative impacts on ecosystems and human societies.
6. Plastics can have adverse effects on human health, with exposure to certain chemicals in plastics linked to various health issues, such as endocrine disruption, cancer, and reproductive problems.
7. The plastic manufacturing process can also negatively impact local communities and ecosystems near production facilities, often releasing toxic chemicals into the air and water, leading to pollution and potential health problems for nearby residents.

Summary

A wide variety of synthetic and semisynthetic materials are used to create plastics. One of the most significant chemical industry products that have an impact on modern life is polymers. The most prevalent examples of polymers are plastics, synthetic fibres, synthetic rubber, etc.  Compared to materials prepared with other metals like iron and copper, plastic-based products are more robust.

Plastic is more effective than metal for the preparation of various materials due to their distinct differences in characteristics. Plastics are incredibly flexible and can be moulded into a huge variety of patterns, vibrant colours, and forms. Consequently, many packaging materials are frequently made of plastic.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is plastic employed in the healthcare sector?

Ans. Yes, plastic is useful in the healthcare sector. This is because it is water and temperature-resistant, making it perfect for packaging medications, wound-sealing threads, syringes, gloves, and other medical equipment.

2. Why are plastics naturally non-corrosive?

Ans. The plastics are not corrosive because the materials inside them do not react or go through any chemical reactions. Plastic is used to make a lot of containers, including buckets, mugs, water bottles, and food containers.

3. Why is it necessary to recycle plastic?

Ans. Since almost all types of plastic materials are non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment, recycling plastic is crucial.

Introduction

We currently know about 118 different chemical elements. These elements combine to form numerous compounds. These compounds are classified into Acids, Bases, and Salts based on their chemical properties. “All substances that produce \({H^ + }\) ions when dissolved in water are known as acids, while those that produce \(O{H^ – }\) ions when dissolved in water are known as bases.” When acids and bases are mixed together, they lose their acidic and basic properties, i.e. neutralise, and form salts.

What are Acids

“The word acid comes from the Latin word ‘acidus’ or ‘acere,’ which means sour. The most common feature is their sour taste. In its aqueous solution, an acid produces an ionizable hydronium ion (\({H_3}{O^ + }\)). It causes blue litmus paper to turn red. These dissociate in an aqueous solution to form their constituent ions, as illustrated by the examples below.”

\[HCl{\rm{ }}\left( {aq} \right){\rm{ }} \to {\rm{ }}{H^ + } + {\rm{ }}C{l^ – }\]

\[{H_2}S{O_4}\left( {aq} \right){\rm{ }} \to {\rm{ }}2{H^ + } + {\rm{ }}SO_4^{2 – }\]

\[C{H_3}COOH{\rm{ }}\left( {aq} \right){\rm{ }} \to {\rm{ }}{H^ + } + {\rm{ }}CH3CO{O^ – }\]

What are Bases

Bases are distinguished by their bitter taste and soapy texture. A base is a substance that produces the hydroxyl ion (\(O{H^ – }\)) in an aqueous solution. Bases cause red litmus paper to turn blue.

The bases dissociate in an aqueous solution to form their constituent ions, as shown in the examples below.

\[NaOH{\rm{ }}\left( {aq} \right){\rm{ }} \to {\rm{ }}N{a^ + } + {\rm{ }}O{H^ – }\]

\[Ca{\left( {OH} \right)_2} \to {\rm{ C}}{a^{2 + }} + {\rm{ }}2O{H^ – }\]

What are Salts

When an acidic solution is treated with an alkaline solution or aqueous solution of a metal oxide, a salt is formed, and the solution becomes neutral. A neutralization reaction occurs when \({H^ + }\) ions from an acid combine with \(O{H^ – }\) ions from the base of a metal oxide.

The chemical reactions shown below demonstrate the formation of salt.

\[HCl{\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}NaOH{\rm{ }} \to {\rm{ }}NaCl{\rm{ }} + {\rm{ }}{H_2}O\]

\[{H_2}S{O_4} + Ca{\left( {OH} \right)_2}\, \to {\rm{ }}CaS{O_4} + {\rm{ }}2{H_2}O\]

Uses of Acids

1. Sulphuric acid is used in the production of fertilizers such as ammonium sulphate, detergents, explosives, plastics, dyes, chemicals, etc.
2. In the textile, food, and leather industries, hydrochloric acid is used as a dye. It is used to remove oxide films from steel objects prior to galvanization.
3. Nitric acid is used in the production of fertilizers like ammonium nitrate, explosives like trinitrotoluene (TNT), plastics, and dye.

Uses of Bases

1. Sodium hydroxide is commonly used in the production of soap, as well as synthetic fibre (Rayon) and paper.
2. The reaction of calcium hydroxide, also known as slaked lime, produces bleaching powder.
3. Magnesium Hydroxide, which acts as an antacid for the body, is used to neutralise excess acid in the stomach and cure indigestion.

Summary

The compounds are classified into Acids, Bases, and Salts based on their chemical properties. “All substances that produce \({H^ + }\) ions when dissolved in water are known as acids, while those that produce \(O{H^ – }\) ions when dissolved in water are known as bases.” When acids and bases are mixed together, they lose their acidic and basic properties, i.e. neutralise, and form salts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the main differences between a strong acid and a weak acid?

Strong Acids	Weak Acids
When exposed to water, strong acids completely dissociate into their ions.	In an aqueous solution, weak acids are molecules that partially dissociate into ions.
A strong acid solution has a very low pH.	A weak acid solution has a pH of 3-5.
It releases all the H+ ions into the solution.	Partially releases all H+ ions to enter the solution.

2. What are the main differences between a strong base and a weak base?

Strong Bases	Weak Bases
In a solution, a strong base can completely dissociate into its cation and hydroxyl ion.	A weak base partially dissociates into its hydroxyl ion and cation, resulting in an equilibrium state.

3. Do acids conduct electricity?

Ans. The conductivity is due to the presence of ions. Acids dissociate to form (\({H^ + }\)) ions in solutions. Hence, acids conduct electricity.

Introduction

Lemon juice, soap, milk, detergents, and other frequently used items in daily life are all made of acids and bases. In addition to these sustainable acids and bases, a large variety of chemical or mineral acids or bases are also used. Knowing the fundamental characteristics of acids and bases is essential to comprehend the concepts of acids and bases. Water can be combined with acids and bases to produce two different aqueous solutions. Any material that dissolves in water releases free \({H^ + }\) ions to produce hydronium (\({H_3}{O^ + }\)), which is referred to as an acid and releases hydroxyl ions (\(O{H^ – }\)), which is referred to as a base. This acid and base will neutralize each other when combined.

Definition-Acids and Bases

Acids: Chemical substances or compounds that can donate a proton (\({H^ + }\)) or accept electron pairs are known as acids.

Examples include hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulphuric acid (\({H_2}S{O_4}\)).

Bases are substances or ions that can take a proton or donate a pair of electrons.

Examples include potassium hydroxide (KOH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Theories of Acids and Bases

Arrhenius theory

1. According to Arrhenius, an acid is any chemical that increases the concentration of protons (\({H^ + }\)) in a solution. For Example, the (\({H^ + }\)) and (\(C{l^ – }\)) ions are created when the acid HCl (which is a base) dissolves in water.

2. Bases are compounds that increase the number of hydroxide ions (\(O{H^ – }\)) in solutions. Take NaOH as an example, which dissolves in water to produce the ions \(N{a^ + }\) and \(O{H^ – }\). Consequently, increasing the \(O{H^ – }\) ion concentration.

Brønsted Lowry theory

This theory states that bases are proton (\({H^ + }\)) acceptors and form a conjugate acid, whereas acids are proton (\({H^ + }\)) donors and form conjugate bases.

For example, hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is a Brønsted-Lowry acid, gives its proton to water when it is mixed with a base (\({H_2}O\)). Water is referred to be the Brønsted-Lowry base when it receives a proton.

Acids and bases in conjugates 

A conjugate base has one more negative (-) charge and one less H-atom than the acid that generated it, whereas a conjugate acid has one more positive (+) charge and one more H-atom than the base that formed it.

As an illustration, in this reaction, a base (\(N{H_3}\)) and an acid (HCl) combine to generate a conjugate acid (\(N{H^{4 + }}\)) and a conjugate base (\(C{l^ – }\)).

Lewis Concept of Acids and Bases

Lewis bases or acids are terms used to describe substances that take electron pairs, whereas Lewis bases or acids are terms used to describe substances that contribute to electron pairs. Thus, the acceptance or donation of electrons determines the acidity or basicity of a substance. 

Acids and bases pH values

The word pH, which stands for potential hydrogen, helps scientists evaluate whether a solution is acidic or basic based on how many hydrogen ions are present in it. It is essentially a pH scale or negative logarithmic scale that ranges from 0 to 14 and quantifies the molar concentration of hydrogen ions from 1 to 14. It has no units for measurement.

The equation for calculating pH is pH =-log [\({H^ + }\)]

When a substance’s pH value is below 7, it is referred to be an acid. If the substance’s pH is more than 7, it is regarded as a base. The substance is regarded as neutral when the pH is 7.

Properties of Acids and Bases

S. No	Property	Acids	Bases
1.	Taste	Sour in taste.	Bitter in taste.
2.	Test with phenolphthalein	Acid turns phenolphthalein colourless.	Basic turns phenolphthalein pink.
3.	Test with litmus paper	Blue litmus turns red.	Red litmus turns blue.
4.	Whenever metals react	Acids and metals react to produce salt and H2 gas. (Only with metals in the activity series above hydrogen.)	Salts and H2 gas are also produced when bases interact with metals (apart from Al).
5.	When carbonates are reacted	Such reactions produce carbon dioxide.	There is no reaction.

Uses of acids

• Hydrochloric acid is used to remove rust from metals
• Acetic acid is diluted into vinegar, which is used in many household processes. Its main application for it is as a food preservative.
• Lemon juice and orange juice both include citric acid as primary ingredients. Additionally, it can be used to preserve food.
• Nitric acid is used in fertilisers, plastic, photographic films, explosives, and dyes.

Uses of bases

• The antidote for food poisoning, bleaching powder, and building construction all employ calcium hydroxide.
• Petroleum is refined using sodium hydroxide, and it is also used to make soap, textiles, and paper.
• Laxatives frequently contain magnesium hydroxide, popularly known as milk of magnesia. It is also used as an antacid, since it lowers any excess acidity in the human stomach.

Summary

Numerous items that are edible and non-toxic, such as grapes, oranges, turmeric powder, milk, and other items, are regarded as bases and acids. Taste and touch are two simple ways to recognise these natural acids and bases. However, some acids and bases are dangerous chemical reagents that cannot be distinguished by their physical qualities; for this reason, their chemical properties are crucial. These acids and bases mostly depend on the \({H^ + }\) ion and \(O{H^ – }\) ion concentrations. Acids are substances that cause protons (\({H^ + }\)) to be produced in water. Bases, on the other hand, are chemicals that generate more hydroxyl ions (\(O{H^ – }\)) in solution. The pH scale can be used to determine the numerical value of acids and bases.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are acids electrically conductive?

Ans. The flow of ions’ is what causes the conductivity. Acids split apart in solutions to produce (\({H^ + }\)) ions. Acids, therefore, carry electricity.

2. Why does dilute hydrochloric acid turn blue litmus red, but dry hydrogen chloride gas does not?

Ans. Dry hydrochloric acid does not produce ions, whereas diluted HCl does. Increasing the concentration of \({H^ + }\) in a solution causes it to change from blue litmus to red.

3. How does pH affect tooth decay?

Ans. The pH of the mouth decreases as we eat more foods that contain acid, which encourages the growth of harmful bacteria and leads to tooth decay. Therefore, tooth decay results from the mouth’s pH being decreased.

Introduction

Only when two figures have the same size and shape, including their sides, points, angles, etc., can they be said to be congruent. 

1. Two circles should have the same diameter if they are congruent. 
2. If the sides and angles of two triangles are the same, they are said to be congruent. 
3. If the corresponding sides of two rectangles are equal, they are said to be congruent. 
4. If two squares have sides of the same length, they are said to be congruent.

If two shapes are equivalent to one another in all conceivable ways, they are said to be congruent. Congruent figures in mathematics are those that share the same size and shape. The 2-D and 3-D figures are both consistent with each other. However, this article will only discuss the congruence of plane figures. 

Figures that are consistent in size and shape are said to be congruent. Congruence is the name given to the relationship between two congruent figures. It is indicated by the symbol “≅“.

Plane Figures

A plane shape is a closed, 2-D, or flat figure. Different plane shapes have various characteristics, such as various vertices. A vertex is the point where two sides meet, and a side is a straight line that is part of the shape.

The following figures show some of the basic plane shapes: triangles, squares, rectangles, and circles.

Congruence of Plane figures

A geometric figure with no thickness is called a plane figure. Some of the plane figures include line segments, curves, or a combination of both line segments and curves. The sides of the plane figures are the straight lines or curves  that make them up.

If two plane figures, such as line segments, angles, and other figures, are similar in size and shape, they are said to be congruent. Congruence of plane figures is the name of the relationship in use.

Congruent Figures

Congruent figures are geometric objects that share the same size and shape in mathematics. The two figures are equal to one another and are referred to as congruent figures when you transform one figure into another by a series of rotations and/or reflections.

Congruence of Lines

If two line segments are of the same length, they are said to be congruent. They don’t have to be parallel, though. They are flexible and can be in any position or orientation. The separation between two points determines the length of a line segment.

Congruent Line Segments

A pair of equal-length line segments makes up the congruent segment. An exact starting point and ending point define a straight line segment. Its beginning and end points are known, so its length can be calculated. Congruent line segments can, but are not required to, be parallel, perpendicular, or at any other particular angle. 

In geometry, a line segment is a fundamental figure that is created by joining any two points on a plane figure. Line segments also make up the sides of the plane figures. Two line segments are said to be congruent if their lengths are the same. In other words, two line segments have equal lengths if they are congruent.

Rules of Congruence for Triangles

There are 5 basic rules of congruence:-

Side Side Side

Side Side Side or also known as SSS congruence criteria states that if  the three sides of one triangle are equal to the corresponding three sides of another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.

Side Angle Side

Side Angle Side or also known as SAS congruence criteria states that if two sides and the included angle of one triangle  are equal to the corresponding two sides and the included angle of another triangle , then the triangles are congruent.

Angle Side Angle

Angle Side Angle or also known as ASA congruence criteria states that if  two angles and the included side of one triangle are equal to the corresponding two angles and the included side of the another triangle,  then the two triangles are congruent.

Angle Angle Side

Angle Angle Side or also known as AAS congruence criteria states that if two angles and a side not common to the two angles of one triangle are equal to the corresponding angles and side of another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.

Right angle Hypotenuse Side

Right angle, Hypotenuse & Side or RHS congruence criteria only applies to right triangles, it says that in two right triangles if  the hypotenuse and one  side of a triangle are equal to the hypotenuse and the corresponding side of the other triangle, , then the triangles are congruent.

Summary

In this article the topic of congruence is discussed in detail. If two figures share the same shape and size, they are said to be congruent; alternatively,  a figure  is said to be congruent to its mirror image as they share the same shape and size. Figures drawn on a plane or other flat surface are referred to as “plane figures.” In geometry, a plane is a flat surface that can go on forever in all directions. It has infinite width and length, no thickness, and curvature as it is stretched to infinity.

This article also shines a light on the topic of Rules of Congruence for triangles. There are 5 basic congruence criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do you mean by congruence?
   Ans. Congruent figures are geometric objects that share the same size and shape in mathematics. The two figures are equal to one another and are referred to as congruent figures.
   
2. Are all squares congruent?
   Ans. No, all squares are not congruent, since for congruence two figures must have all of their quantifying dimensions  equal, that includes all the sides and all the angles. All squares have the same angles, but their side lengths may be  different, hence they aren’t congruent.
   
3. Is AAA a criteria for congruence of triangles?
   Ans. No, AAA is not a criteria for congruence because even if all the angles of two triangles are correspondingly equal, that necessarily does not mean that they have the same side length, for example two equilateral triangles of sides 3cm and 5cm, they both have the same 60-60-60 angle but they are not congruent because their sides are of different lengths.
   
4. Is a Rhombus of side length 4cm congruent to a square with side 4cm?
   Ans. We know that both rhombus and square have the property that all their sides are of the same length. But a rhombus does not necessarily have the same angles, whereas by definition a square has all its angles 90 degrees. Hence, no, a rhombus of side length 4cm is not necessarily congruent to a square of side length 4cm.

   Also Read: Congruence of Angles

Introduction

In today’s world, acid rain is a serious environmental issue. Midway through the 19th century, it was reported. As a result of excessive contaminants being removed from the atmosphere by both natural and man-made sources, this has occurred and therefore bringing down the pH of regular rainwater. There is no way to lessen the impact of natural sources, but there are various preventive steps that can be taken to lessen the impact of man-made sources. Since acid rain affects several ecosystems by lowering the pH of the material where it has been deposited, its prevention or mitigation is crucial.

What is acid rain?

Acid rain, a severe environmental issue, is caused by \(S{O_2}\) and \(N{O_x}\) emissions into the atmosphere. Acid rain is created when these substances interact with water vapour in the atmosphere. Normally, \(S{O_2}\) does not interact with water, but when it interacts with ozone, it changes into \(S{O_3}\), which then reacts with water to create sulphuric acid, resulting in acid rain. The environment is being threatened by acid rain. Water bodies and biological beings suffer greatly from acidification. According to reports, acidification causes a greater release of aluminium from rocks or soil and which eventually gathers or deposits on water bodies, posing a hazard to the creatures that drink the water.

What are the causes of acid rain?

• The atmospheric release of \(S{O_2}\) and \(N{O_x}\) chemicals results in acid rain. These chemicals come from a variety of sources, including both natural processes and human activity. 
• The natural sources include volcanic eruptions, sea spray, forest fires, etc. While man-made sources for sulphur dioxide include industrial combustion, coal burning from cars, oil refineries, home, and industrial boilers, automobiles, fertilizer plants, etc. 
• Natural sources of \(N{O_x}\) include bacterial activity, volcanic eruption, lightning, forest fires, etc. 
• When these substances are discharged in excess into the atmosphere, they react with the water that is already there to generate numerous acid molecules. 
• They are sulphuric acid and nitric acid. These further contribute to acidification and bring about various environmental issues.

What are the effects of acid rain?

• Nitrates are deposited on the soil as a result of acid rain, which also raises nitrogen saturation levels. This may also result in the loss of other significant ions from the soil, including calcium and magnesium ions that are beneficial to trees and plants. Additionally, acid rain removes the protective layer of trees, weakening them.
• Since acids take aluminium from soil and deposit it in water bodies, acid rain also has an impact on surface waters by raising the concentration of aluminium in the water bodies. The aquatic species that live in the water bodies will ultimately be impacted by this.
• Since the increased concentration of sulphuric acid and nitric acid promotes the corrosion of metals and fading of paints, acid rain impacts have been documented in man-made sculptures. 
• Due to the particle build-up, acid rain has an impact on people’s health who have asthma and emphysema. 
• Visibility is hampered by acid rain, which can often appear as fog.

Real-life examples of acid rain effects

• Acid rain has caused the sculpture at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, to degrade. 
• The US, Taiwan, Europe, Poland, and China’s southeast coast are some of the regions that are impacted. 
• The glossy feature of the Taj Mahal is presently deteriorating as a result of acid rain.
• Due to acid rain, the Statue of Liberty corroded and turned green. 
• Nearshore and coastal oceans are significantly acidified as a result of acid rain.

How to prevent acid rain?

Acid rain can be prevented only by reducing the emission of acid rain-causing particulates into the atmosphere. Only man-made sources can be reduced by performing several preventive methods. This can be done by, 

a) Reducing the sulphur-containing fuels in automobiles or switching to alternative sources. 

b) Scrubbers can be used for reducing the emission of \(S{O_2}\) into the atmosphere since they will attract sulphur particles. 

c) For reducing the emission of \(N{O_x}\) catalytic converters can be used, thereby converting it into \({N_2}\) and \({O_2}\). 

d) Liming water bodies can be done in reducing the impact of acid rain. 

e) The effect on metals due to acid rain can be reduced by coating them with corresponding materials.

Summary

Acid rain, a severe environmental issue, is caused by the atmosphere’s \(S{O_2}\) and \(N{O_x}\) emissions. The atmospheric release of \(S{O_2}\) and \(N{O_x}\) chemicals results in acid rain. Nitrates are deposited on the soil as a result of acid rain, which also raises nitrogen saturation levels. The glossy feature of the Taj Mahal is presently deteriorating as a result of acid rain. The effect on metals due to acid rain can be reduced by coating them with corresponding materials.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Write a note on the facts about acid rain.

Ans. Numerous substances, such as precipitation, snow, fog, and microscopic dry particles that fall on the surface of the planet, can carry acid rain to its surface. Additionally, regular precipitation has a pH of 5.6, whereas acid rain has a pH of roughly 4.6, which is a bigger difference and makes its effect more sensitive.

2. Can acid rain cause skin burns?

Ans. Since acid has a pH of 4.6, acid rain is not sufficiently acidic to cause skin burns. Additionally, it has no direct impact on humans. Patients with asthma and emphysema will experience issues if they come into contact with sulphur particles in the air.

3. Where does acid rain occur most often?

Ans. Acid rain is a widespread problem in places like Eastern Europe, and the US, and is now spreading to parts of India and China.

Introduction

A disease is any adverse change from an organism’s usual anatomical, genetic, or physiological state. An illness is accompanied by a distinctive collection of signs and symptoms that are illustrative of that specific condition and aid in its diagnosis and treatment. Diseases can be acquired, congenital, communicable, non-communicable, chronic, and acute diseases. Medical science has cured some of the diseases while some diseases are not curable and hence prove to be fatal. 

Classification of disease

Various diseases can be classified based on the source of detection, causative agents, medium of infection, Duration, Communicability, and Extent.

Based on Communicability there are two types of diseases-

• Communicable disease-These diseases are contagious and are brought on by microbes like bacteria, fungi, viruses, worms, and protozoans. For eg COVID-19, chickenpox, cholera,
• Non- Communicable disease-These are not contagious and do not pass from person to person. These bind the person who contracts them inside. Cataracts, Alzheimer’s, cataracts, and heart conditions are a few examples.

 Based on duration there are two types of diseases-

• Acute diseases-These illnesses are severe, last very briefly, are typically curable with appropriate medical care, and the patient regains their normal bodily functions after being treated. Common colds, fractures, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. are a few examples. Chronic diseases can develop from acute illnesses if they are not treated on time. 

• Chronic diseases- These illnesses last three years or longer before they are diagnosed. Depending on the organism’s immunity, the disease’s stage of development, the organ or organ system that is affected, and other factors, they may be curable. Such illnesses have the potential of being deadly and incurable. Examples include high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, arthritis, and cancer etc.

Differentiate between Acute diseases and Chronic diseases

Acute diseases	Chronic diseases
Generally spread from one infected individual to another.	They do not usually spread from one infected individual to another.
These are generally communicable diseases	These diseases are generally non-communicable diseases
These are caused due to contaminated food, water, vectors or from direct or indirect contact with an infected person.	They are caused due to genetic, allergic, deficiencies or environmental factors.
People who are unvaccinated, immunosuppressed or who are constantly travelling to the infected regions have a high risk of getting this disease.	People who show various comorbidities such as high blood pressure, obesity, and various metabolic disorders are at high risk of getting these diseases.
Poor living conditions, underdeveloped healthcare systems and lack of cleanliness are responsible for these kinds of diseases.	Behavioural factors, Poor dietary habits and Genetic factors are responsible for these kinds of diseases.
Eg- COVID-19, SARS, Chlorella, TB etc	Eg- Cancer, HIV, Diabetes etc

Diseases due to environmental changes

Polluted environment is one of the main factors for diseases to occur. Some of these are explained below.

• Air pollution: Respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, acute lower respiratory infections, etc. are caused by harmful gases in the air such as sulphates, nitrates, together with VOC, PM and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• Water pollution: Several pathogenic bacteria can cause cases of botulism, dysentery, cholera, giardiasis, amoebiasis, naegleriasis, etc. These are caused due to contaminated water as  sewage sources, swimming pools, or untreated drinking water containing all different kinds of microbes.
• Toxins- The presence of lead, arsenic, and mercury in the environment are some  toxins, and they cause various diseases including malignancies like mesothelioma and melanoma, cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, kidney ailments, and cerebrovascular diseases.

Summary

Disease is a state of the body that deviates from its usual state. There are many different ways to categorise diseases, including according to how long they have persisted, what caused them, how they spread, and how contagious they are.Acute disorders manifest abruptly and last only briefly. Chronic diseases are those that take longer to develop, last for a year or, occasionally for a lifetime. A healthy person can contract a communicable disease from an infected person using a variety of carriers, such as air, water, and animals. Cardiovascular diseases, CRDs, cancer, and diabetes are examples of non-communicable diseases that cannot be passed from one person to another. Pollution in the environment can also cause diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do zoonotic illnesses mean?
Ans: Diseases which are caused by animals.i.e. animals carry disease-causing microbes such as bacteria or viruses are known as zoonotic illness. These diseases can be spread by scratches, body fluids etc. Eg- malaria, rabies, zika virus etc.

2. Explain the terms- Pathogen, Pathogenesis.
Ans: Pathogen- Any organism which causes disease is known as a pathogen eg- virus, fungus, bacteria etc.

Pathogenesis- It is a series of events which occur between the entry of the pathogen inside the body  and spread of the disease in the body.

3. How can the  transmission of communicable illness be prevented?
Ans: It is crucial to improve one’s personal hygiene as well as societal awareness and societal hygiene. Vaccinations have already contributed to the global eradication of several serious diseases.

Introduction

A dam is a man-made obstruction built across a river or underground stream to restrict the flow of water. This results in the creation of artificial lakes or reservoirs. Then, this has other uses. such as irrigation, domestic purposes, flood control, commercial purposes, aquaculture, electricity production, etc. They used bricks, clay, concrete, cement, iron riding, etc. to build their construction. Even though it provides a lot of benefits, there are some drawbacks as well. The environment of the river will be impacted when more dams are built over it. due to the abundance of aquatic life in the river. There is therefore a pressing need for a dam alternative.

Advantages of Dams

A dam has several advantages, ranging from economic to social advantages. The following is a list of benefit of a dam.

• Water storage: It can serve as a sizable water reserve that can be used for domestic, commercial, and agricultural purposes. Additionally, it has the capacity to accept extra surface water.
• Recreation: Dam’s are a point of public attraction as many leisure activities like boating, camping, swimming, etc. can be done in this area.
• Irrigation:The dam is a significant source of water for irrigation.
• Debris control: The dam has improved environmental protection by reducing the amount of trash thrown into rivers.
• Electricity production: Hydropower is a crucial source of electricity because it doesn’t produce any chemical waste. The majority of the nation’s primary source of electricity is generated from water.

Disadvantages of Dams

Dams are constructed to generate additional electricity for use by people. However, the bulk of these dams are unable to make a significant impact on the generation of power for human needs. Instead, it has certain negative repercussions on both the ecology and people as a whole. Some of them are mentioned below-

• Dam construction has an negative impact on the aquatic life that exists in the water.
• There is lots of water wastage during the process of dam construction.
• It has affected the people who live nearby as a sizable portion of land has been buried to serve as a water reservoir.
• Due to dam construction biodiversity in the water has reduced.
• There is an increased sediment accumulation
• Soil erosion has occurred in places nearby to the dams.
• There is a danger of catastrophe because by chance if the dam structure breaks it will threaten the lives of  thousands of people,
• Overflow of water in the dam may happen if more water reaches the surface by rain which might lead to flooding in the nearby areas.

Alternative solutions to Dams

Dams have a number of drawbacks since they are not the ideal solution for meeting human requirements. Therefore, finding a dam replacement is essential. Some of the alternative solutions to dams are given below-

• Concentrating on alternative energy sources-The construction of dams is a result of the rise in electricity demand; therefore, finding an effective source of energy production will lessen the danger posed by dams. Some common alternative energy sources ares nuclear power plants, thermal power plants, solar electricity, wind power, etc.
• Reuse of water: The dam provides water for numerous uses that. Therefore, locating new alternate water sources can also help to lower the number of dams. For instance, sewage water can be recycled and used again for a variety of various purposes, including industrial and agricultural ones.
• Managing flood: By reducing the water runoff we can control the flood of many rivers. Since dams play a prominent role in the prevention of floods in rivers.
• Concentrate more on the current dams: Only small a fraction of dams are used effectively. Hence,prior to building a new dam, one must pay attention to the older dams and make the best use of them.As a result, fewer dams may be constructed to bridge rivers.
• Groundwater recharge: Increased water deposition from surface water to groundwater is known as groundwater recharge. This process increases the water content below the ground level which can be used for various other purposes.

Summary

Water is a priceless resource that is essential to maintaining human life. It may be used for everything from generating electricity to drinking puropses. Consequently, a reliable water source is always going to be required. A dam is a man-made structure designed to preseve water. Nevertheless, while there are numerous benefits of dams, there are also some drawbacks. Being a man-made construction, it has a severe impact on the ecosystem around us. Therefore, a water  resource other than the dam is desperately needed. Alternative methods of dams include replenishing the groundwater table, locating alternate energy sources, etc. If appropriate measures are not taken into consideration, we could face a number of issues. And hence for this purpose new technologies must be implemented..

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which of the dams on Earth is the oldest?
Ans: The dam Jawa, which is situated in Jordan, is the oldest dam still in use today. There are still some of this dam’s remains.

2. How long do dams last?
Ans: A dam’s lifespan is estimated to be 50 years on average. In this lifespan, it can function successfully. There are also other dams that date back far more.

3. Can a dam contaminate water?
Ans: Since dams stop the flow of water, they can accelerate the growth of any existing microbes in the water, which can render the water hazardous. The number of diseases spurred on by water pollution has been rising daily. Additionally, metallic components can also accumulate in such stagnant waters which can further harms marine life.

Introduction

In India notably, agriculture has been practised for thousands of years without the use of artificial tools. Fertilizers that were developed in the middle of the 19th century were powerful, affordable, and easily accessible at the time, but they also had several negative side effects, such as soil erosion, water pollution, and animal body accumulation. To combat these side effects, efforts were made to find cures while simultaneously maintaining a high yield. In the 1930s, Albert Howard introduced an organic farming system to Britain by fusing his scientific techniques with traditional farming practices from India (manure, compost, and crop rotation).

What is Agriculture?

Agriculture derives from the Latin words “ager,” meaning “field,” and “colo,” meaning “to cultivate,” meaning to use or prepare a field or piece of land for producing crops. It also covers raising animals like cattle for dairy needs.

What is Organic Agriculture? 

Organic farming is the practice of cultivating crops using organic farming techniques. Compost, manure, and green manure are examples of natural fertilizers used to boost fertility and plant growth. Crop rotation is one natural or biological technique suggested to improve soil fertility. The land is allowed some time to rest after raising a crop so that it can naturally regain its fertility.

Types of Organic Agriculture

Organic agriculture is categorized into two types.

Pure organic farming:

• In this kind of organic farming, farmers only utilize natural ingredients to promote plant growth, improve soil fertility, and stop soil erosion. 
• It is best to avoid using any kind of pesticide because it hurt crops, important soil bacteria, and even people who eat the food.

Integrated organic farming:

• This method of organic farming, also known as the “Zero waste” technique, is carried out in such a way that residues or wastes are produced in “zero” proportions.

Aims of Organic Agriculture

• Protecting the environment
• Natural resource conservation
• Keeping the ecological balance 
• Improvement of soil fertility 
• Stop soil erosion 
• Protecting wildlife and plants from the negative effects of artificial fertilizers and chemicals 
• Maximizing agricultural production
• Reduce the number of chemicals we use to produce food

Practices Followed During Organic Agriculture:

• Crop rotation: To preserve soil fertility, different crops are cultivated in alternate years on the same plot of land. 
• Green manure and cover crops: Green manure improves soil fertility and is good for crop plant growth. The term “cover crops” refers to plants whose primary purpose is to prevent soil erosion, but which also progressively mix with the soil as they naturally deteriorate and serve as green manure.
• Compost and manure are made consisting of organic materials that provide nutrients for plants, such as cow dung and other crop plant wastes.
• Bio pest control: By feeding on disease-causing pests, beneficial organisms found in soil can suppress harmful pests.

Steps Involved in Developing Organic Farms

• Using organic management techniques rather than merely conventional farming methods. 
• Environmental conservation and wise use of natural resources. 
• Only natural or biological approaches, such as crop rotation, manure, compost, and cover crops, are employed instead of synthetic media that use chemicals. 
• Weeds should be pulled out since they compete with crops for nutrition and grow alongside them. 
• Pest management by biotechnology for crops. the method of organic farming that is integrated.

Disease Management

• Because infections are a major factor in plants’ decreased output, disease management is necessary. This is accomplished by keeping beneficial organisms in the soil that feed on destructive pests that degrade plants. 
• The major advantage of organic farming is that it preserves beneficial bacteria and fungi that would otherwise be eliminated by the use of conventional fertilizers and pesticides through a system of “checks and balances.” 
• These microbes aid in preserving the soil’s ecosystem and inhibit the development of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Methods of Organic Agriculture: 

• Weed management: Organic farming attempts to lessen the presence of weeds rather than eradicate it.
• Biological pest control: Beneficial microbes that are retained and not permanently destroyed keep harmful disease-causing microbes in check.
• Soil Management: As the most crucial factor in plant growth, soil management involves a variety of techniques. Cover crops, manure, compost, and the maintenance of beneficial organisms are among the measures used to increase its fertility.
• Polyculture: To quickly meet the need for food, many different types of crops are grown at the same time.
• Manure and compost: To increase output while causing the least amount of damage to the soil and plants, organic materials such as plant and animal waste are utilized to create natural fertilizers.

What are the Benefits of Organic Agriculture? 

• Environmental protection is facilitated by reducing chemical use and the pollution that results from it. 
• Since no toxic pesticides are applied, it protects non-target creatures, including people and animals, whose health is impacted when these chemicals build up in their systems. 
• Because organic farming uses naturally produced manure, the high cost of pesticides is reduced. 
• It helps to lessen erosion while also enhancing the soil’s physical attributes including fertility and water-holding capacity.
• Additionally, crop failure risk is decreased.

Disadvantages of Organic Agriculture

• It’s hard to find organic manure in large quantities. 
• Even though ordinary Indian farmers’ agricultural methods are organic, they are not recognized as such and are nonetheless sold for the same prices as conventional (normal) farming produce. 
• A regular farmer cannot understand the regulations of organic farming, which include production, processing, transportation, and crucial certification. 
• Farmers don’t like certification since it is an expensive process that necessitates a lot of paperwork. 
• Since organic farming uses special techniques, its products are typically more expensive for customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is organic farming a new or traditional practice in India??
Ans. Since the beginning, only natural methods have been utilized in India. Artificial methods only began to be used in the 19th century, but as soon as people realized the problems they brought, they quickly returned to favouring organic farming, not just in India but also in other foreign nations.

2. How is organic farming doing in India?
Ans. In India, there is a beginning of organic farming; just 2% of the land is used for organic farming; the remainder is used for conventional farming using synthetic chemicals. By 2030, this will be more successful.

3. What are the main advantages of organic farming over conventional agriculture?
Ans. Preventing soil erosion has several positive effects, including higher soil fertility, better growth conditions, and reduced water contamination. This is a significant issue with conventional farming.

4. What benefits do conventional farming techniques have over organic ones?
Ans. Advantages of Conventional farming: The plants created all have the same genetic makeup. Using this technique, plenty of plants can be grown swiftly. While some plants generate few or no seeds, others do not allow their seeds to germinate.

Introduction

Food security is currently a big issue due to the growing global population. As a result, fertilizer has become crucial to agriculture to feed the world’s expanding population. Fertilizers are substances that aid in providing nutrients to the soil, enhancing crop yield. Additionally, it aids in preserving and enhancing soil fertility. Inorganic, organic, and biofertilizers all work in somewhat different ways to release nutrients into the soil and each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of crop growth and soil fertility.

What are Fertilizers?

Fertilizers are nutrient-rich compounds that are put into the soil to boost soil fertility, which, if added to the needed amount of soil, results in better and higher yields.  Urea hydrolysis is a basic illustration of how fertilizer is applied into the soil.

\[{\bf{CO}}{({\bf{N}}{{\bf{H}}_2})_2}\; + \;{\rm{ }}\;{{\bf{H}}_2}{\bf{O}}\;{\rm{ }}\; + \;{\rm{ }}{\bf{Urease}}\;\;{\bf{2N}}{{\bf{H}}_3}\; + \;{\bf{C}}{{\bf{O}}_2}\]

Here, the most popular fertilizer, urea, or \(CO{\left( {N{H_2}} \right)_2}\), reacts with urease, a naturally occurring chemical produced by the soil, when it is applied to moist soil. It causes the synthesis of \({\bf{N}}{{\bf{H}}_3}\;{\bf{and}}{\rm{ }}{\bf{C}}{{\bf{O}}_2}\), both of which promote soil fertility and plant development. The three essential macronutrients that plants require in the greatest amounts are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potash (K). Sulphur (S), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg) are additional macronutrients that plants also require, but in smaller amounts.

Types of Fertilizers

Fertilizer is categorized into the following groups according to the composite makeup and various techniques of releasing nutrients:

• Inorganic fertilizers: Inorganic fertilizers are mostly made of chemical compounds like urea, ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride, etc. These fertilizers can’t decompose naturally. These fertilizers are often known as synthetic or artificial fertilizers. It is subdivided into two categories:
  • Macronutrients Fertilizers: Primary macronutrients that are rich in Nitrogen,Phosphorous, and Potassium are crucial for any plant’s rapid and healthy growth. Secondary macronutrients, which are similarly important to plants and contain calcium, sulfur, and magnesium, constitute another category.
  • Micronutrients Fertilizers: These fertilizers are designed to give trace amounts of nutrients like Copper, Zinc, Boron, Iron, and Chlorine, among others, even though they have a limited purpose in meeting the basic demands of plants.
• Organic Fertilizers: These easily biodegradable fertilizers are made from naturally occurring materials like sewage, guano, slurry, manure, worm castings, etc. Then, a vast number of microorganisms work to break down these naturally occurring substances into smaller and soluble particles.

• Bio-Fertilizers: Biofertilizers are compounds that generate nutrients from microorganisms that solubilize nitrogen and phosphate. Examples include Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, etc. These microorganisms or bacteria improve the soil’s nutritional content.

Application of fertilizers

• It aids in increasing crop yield and replenishing the soil’s depleted nutrients.
• The ability of nitrogen in fertilizers to make soils acidic is lessened. 
• To grow healthy crops, nitrogen-based fertilizers should be applied as much as possible. 
• Chemical fertilizers can be used in smaller amounts while yet providing the soil with enough nutrients to produce a larger yield. 
• Where two crops are growing, using biofertilizers greatly aids in preventing the production of undesirable crops. They are used to cultivate a variety of crops.

Benefits of Fertilizers

Inorganic fertilizers (Chemical Fertilizers)	Organic Fertilizers	Biofertilizers
It is simpler to use and handle.	Helpful in bringing soil nutrients to the surface and ensuring that they are delivered to plants in an even distribution.	It guarantees soil enrichment.
It easily dissolves in soil and has an immediate impact on crops since they contain soluble salts.	Keeping the moisture constant, it helps to relieve soil stress.	These fertilizers contain microorganisms that break down complicated organic compounds into simpler, nutrient-rich forms that plants may easily access.
These fertilizers are extremely productive, even if they are only used in modest quantities.	It is environmentally friendly.	Through processes like nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilization, it naturally raises the nitrogen and phosphorus content in the soil, making it more nutrient-rich.
By allowing water to penetrate the soil, fertilizers like gypsum help crops develop healthily.	On plants, it has a less harmful effect.	These fertilizers provide hormones like amino acids, vitamins, etc. that promote plant root growth.
Utilizing fertilizers like lime, which lessen the impact of acid on the soil, aids in preserving the soil’s pH equilibrium.	These fertilizers are a rich source of soil bacteria, which in turn aid in growing a healthy crop and ward against pest attacks.

List of Chemical Fertilizers

Nitrogenous Fertilizers	Phosphatic Fertilizers	Potassic Fertilizers
UreaAmmonium sulphate    Ammonium nitrateSodium citrate Potassium nitrateCalcium ammonium nitrate	Rock phosphatePhosphoric acidSuper phosphatesDiammonium phosphate	Muriate of potashSulphate of potash Potassium metaphosphate Potassium nitrate

Summary

Fertilizers are nutrient-rich compounds that are put into the soil to boost soil fertility, which, if added to the needed amount of soil, results in better and higher yields. Fertilizer is categorized into the following groups according to the composite makeup and various techniques of releasing nutrients: chemical, organic, and biofertilizers. To grow healthy crops, nitrogen-based fertilizers should be applied as much as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How crucial is fertilizer to feeding the world’s population?
Ans. Fertilizers have nutrient-rich components, and adding them to the soil makes the soil more fertile, which helps to enhance crop output. The rapidly rising agricultural yield aids in supplying the expanding population’s growing need for food.

2. Does incorporating organic fertilizer into the soil enhance crop quality and soil health?
Ans. Organic fertilizers are made from things like slurry, dung, seaweed, etc. Microorganisms transform these complicated compounds into simpler compounds. These more straightforward or nutrient-rich substances are readily absorbed in the soil, which aids in enhancing soil quality and raising crop yields.

3. Can fertilizers harm a person’s health?
Ans. Chemical fertilizers are among those that can have an impact on human health because they include heavy metals like lead, mercury, and others that can harm a person’s kidneys, liver, and lungs.

4. What kind of fertilizer is most used in agriculture, and why?
Ans. To feed a large population, food production must increase. Only fertilizers made of chemicals or inorganic materials could make this possible. The majority of chemical fertilizers are used to produce the highest yield. Given that it contains macronutrients and micronutrients, it provides the soil with a sufficient amount of nutrients to boost crop yield.

5. Why do plants burn when fertilizers are used excessively?
Ans. Salt-based nutrients are present in fertilizers. These salts readily dissolve in water; however, salts used in excess leave the water undissolved. Plants are unable to absorb water and other nutrients because of the undissolved salt that stays in the soil. As a result, it greatly disturbs the soil’s structure and causes plants to burn.