Fertilisers

Question 1

What are the types of fertiliser?

Answer 1

Organic fertilser and inorganic fertiliser

Question 2

Describe the solubility of inorganic fertilisers.

Answer 2

Inorganic ions are highly soluble

Question 3

Describe the solubility of organic fertilisers.

Answer 3

Organic compounds are less soluble.

Question 4

Which fertiliser to cheaper?

Answer 4

Organic fertilisers - organic wastes need to be disposed of anyway, so they are cheap.

Question 5

What is the benefit of inorganic fertilisers?

Answer 5

Fast acting

Question 6

What is the benefit of organic fertilisers?

Answer 6

They last longer
Minimal leaching

Question 7

What is the disadvantage of inorganic fertilisers ?

Answer 7

Easily leached, causing eutrophication

Question 8

What is the disadvantage of organic fertilisers?

Answer 8

Inorganic minerals are released more slowly as they are decomposed.

Question 9

Describe the inorganic fertilisers role in pollution.

Answer 9

The production of inorganic fertilisers leads to pollution of atmospheric gases and leaching into rivers and lakes.

Question 10

Describe organic fertilisers role in pollution.

Answer 10

Spreading on to fields means they will not be dumped in landfill sites, where they may have caused uncontrolled leaching. Methane may be released though.

Question 11

What is the benefit of inorganic fertilisers to soil quality?

Answer 11

Provides no imporvement to soil texture.

Question 12

What is the toxicity of inorganic fertilisers to animals?

Answer 12

Often toxic to animals

Question 13

What the of volume of inorganic fertilisers ins required?

Answer 13

Smaller volumes

Question 14

Describe the predictability of inorganic fertilisers.

Answer 14

It has predictable ingredients

Question 15

Do inorganic fertilisers have a smell?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

What is the benefit of organic fertilisers to the soil?

Answer 16

The organic material improves soil structure by binding soil particles together.

Question 17

What is the toxicity of organic fertilisers to animals?

Answer 17

May contain pathogens if not treated. They provide food for soil organisms eg earthworms. This improves drainage and aeration.

Question 18

What type of volumes are required for organic fertilisers?

Answer 18

They are bulky and less concentrated in minerals. More needs to be spread on a field to have a similar effect.

Question 19

What is the predictability of organic fertilisers?

Answer 19

They are unpredictable - they may contain unwanted substances such as weed seeds and fungal spores.

Question 20

Do organic fertilisers smell?

Answer 20

Yes

Question 21

Are inorganic fertilsers easy to measure?

Answer 21

Yes - they are straightforward to calculaterequired quantities.

Question 22

Are organic fertilisers easy to measure?

Answer 22

No - it is difficult to estimate required quantities.