6.4 Use of natural and artificial fertilisers

Question 1

Intensive food production:

Mineral ions are…? by?
Why is there no natural recycling? (2)

Answer 1

Continually removed from soil by crops

Crop transported, no dead organisms/faeces (consumers)

Question 2

Fertilisers:

Prevent?

Natural (organic) fertilisers:
Made of? (3)

Artificial (inorganic) fertilisers
Mined from?
Always contain? (3)
crop-?

Most effective?
Why is it important to find appropriate quantity?

Answer 2

Availability of mineral ions becoming limiting factor

Dead organisms, manure, bone meal

Rocks
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium-containing compounds
Crop-specific

Combination of both
Point where fertiliser no longer increases productivity

Question 3

How do fertilisers increase productivity? (5)

Answer 3

Increased growth
Increased leaf surface area
Increased rate of photosynthesis
Increased productivity
Cheaper food prices

Question 4

EXAM QUESTION

Give one advantage of using natural fertiliser produced in the digester rather than an artificial fertiliser (1)

Answer 4

1. Acts as soil conditioner/improves drainage/ aerates
   soil/increases organic content of soil;
2. Contains other elements/named element/wider range of
   elements;
3. Production of artificial fertiliser energy-consuming;
4. Less leaching / slow release (of nutrient);