The Duration of Inorganic Fertilizer Usage

Use Over Time

• Inorganic fertilizer use developed rapidly in the mid-20th century in response to global poverty and dwindling food supplies. Nitrogen in inorganic fertilizer boosts plant growth rapidly. Food production increases dramatically with its use. Negative consequences of the use of inorganic fertilizer were not identified until the 1980s. European Union regulations and policies began to restrict the excessive use of synthetic plant stimulants in EU member countries because of pollution problems they create.

Accumulated Nitrogen

• Excess nitrogen released from worldwide use of inorganic fertilizer is the leading cause of global pollution, according to the World Resources Institute. The duration of use of synthetic fertilizers has increased nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. Algae blooms are also created by nitrogen fertilizer runoff into waterways and oceans. Excess nitrogen in soil creates increased acidity and soil depletion.

Soil Fertility

• Soil acidity and alkalinity are measured as pH levels. Plants grow and thrive in pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Prolonged use of inorganic fertilizer creates lower pH, which is increased acidity. The beneficial microorganisms in soil cannot survive when pH is low and acidic. Destroying the life of microorganisms depletes soil of its ability to support plant life. Healthy soil contains more than 4 billion microorganisms per teaspoonful.

Solutions

• The United States and the European Union have significantly reduced use of inorganic fertilizer, while China had increased its use of inorganic fertilizer by 271 percent by 2005. Organic agriculture relies on the use of fertilizer derived from all natural sources that are safe to use over long periods. Ninety one billion acres worldwide are farmed organically.