Question

Evaluate the pros and cons of using an NPK fertilizer, a natural compost, and lime on a field with substantial amounts of clay and humus and with a low pH of 3, which is to be planted with a legume crop.

Answer 1

Using an NPK fertilizer, natural compost, and lime on the described field can have pros and cons. NPK fertilizers provide essential nutrients, but excess amounts can cause ecological disturbances. Natural compost improves soil quality, while lime raises the pH level, but too much can lead to nutrient imbalances.

Step-by-step explanation:

Using an NPK fertilizer, natural compost, and lime on a field with substantial amounts of clay and humus and low pH can have both pros and cons.

The pros of using an NPK fertilizer include providing essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the plants, which can increase plant growth and crop yield. However, synthetic fertilizers often have high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause ecological disturbances when an excess amount is used.

The pros of using natural compost include improving soil quality by adding organic matter and nutrients over time. Compost can also enhance soil structure, reduce erosion, and promote water infiltration. However, it may take longer for the nutrients in compost to become available to the plants compared to synthetic fertilizers.

Lime can be beneficial for fields with low pH, as it helps to raise the pH level and make the soil more alkaline. This can improve the availability of nutrients to plants and enhance soil microbial activity. However, excessive liming can lead to nutrient imbalances and harm certain plants that prefer acidic conditions.

Answer 2

Leaching of nutrients occur.

Step-by-step explanation:

NPK fertilizers are applied to the field all over the world because it has a good effect on the growth and development of plants but it has also some environmental effects such as leaching which pollutes water bodies whereas natural compost is good for the plants as well as for the soil organisms but its breakdown is very slow and it is not readily available to the plants. Lime is also very good for the soil having low pH because lime is basic in nature and it increases the pH of the soil.