Final answer:
Fertilizer is the technology that makes crops grow faster, providing essential nutrients to plants, which enhances growth and crop yield. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are particularly important for plant growth. These advances, along with biotechnology, contribute to the efficiency of modern agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technology that makes crops grow faster is typically referred to as fertilizer. Fertilizers are materials of natural or synthetic origin that are added to plant tissues or soil to supply nutrients essential for the growth of plants. The use of commercial fertilizers has greatly increased crop yields and has become a standard practice in modern agriculture since the shift from small family farms to larger corporate farms. Nitrogen, phosphate, and potash are the three major types of commercial fertilizers used in the U.S. Nitrogen is especially important because plants use it in large amounts for their growth and development. Therefore, nitrogen-containing fertilizer is commonly used by farmers on their crops.
The addition of fertilizers to soil improves soil fertility, allows for the diversification of crops, and can reduce the dependency on pesticides by enhancing the plants' natural growth and resistance to pests and diseases. Biotechnology is another critical facet in making production cheaper and more manageable, with genetically modified crops that require less pesticide use and offer increased yield. These advancements underscore the role of fertilizers and biotechnology in meeting global food demands and making agricultural production more efficient.
Furthermore, advancements such as agricultural mechanization have revolutionized farming practices. The development of gasoline-powered farm tools such as tractors has allowed farmers to produce larger quantities with more consistent quality, contributing to the foundation of industrialization and enabling a stable food supply for the growing population.