Fertilizer can destroy or increase anormally the development of some natural weeds or micro-organisms; then it can disturb the agro-ecosystems. It can also pollute underground water by the nitrates it contains. 

Dear Dr. Houngbo, thank you for your valuable contribution.

Olutosin

Most fertilizers contain nearly the same basic materials: nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and sometimes other nutrients, like zinc, needed for healthy plant growth. Many people use fertilizers but few of them consider the would-be drawbacks of these fertilizers. It is important to consider the harmful effects of fertilizers besides the benefits.

The most significant harmful effects come from a fertilizer that is designed to kill or prevent weeds. Twelve of the most popular pesticides, in the USA, have ingredients known to cause cancer. Organic fertilizers are surely safe for the environment, the body and free of pesticides.

While fertilizers may be beneficial to the plants, they are not always as healthy for the rest of the environment. Many of the “quick-release” fertilizers have been known to lead to oxygen loss in waterways. High amounts of nitrogen can find their way into waterways, causing an excess of algae and a resulting loss of oxygen in the water. This can have a negative effect on marinelife .

Many people do not realize that some fertilizers are made from the residuals of waste water treatment facilities or recycled from other areas that cause them to test positive for toxic waste. 29 popular fertilizers, in USA, tested positive for 22 toxic heavy metals, including silver, nickel, selenium, thallium and vanadium. All of the metals are linked directly to human health hazards.

Good points. But above all they disturb agroecosystem.

Dear Dr. Nizar Matar, thank you for your comprehensive contribution and Dr. Suresh for your thought concerning the discussion.

I am not much in favor of tobacco. However, high fertilizer rates can make it too strong and keep cigarette tobacco from priming.

Too much fertilizer, especially N can contribute to crops being lodged (knocked down) in bad weather.

Phosphorous as well as nitrogen can get into waterways and cause problems. Which of these two causes a problem depends on the environment.  Different parts of the US have problems with either one or the other.

Some forms of N fertilizer may end up in wells as nitrite and this is especially bad for infants.

Having said all this, some fertilizer is often better than none in many situations. 

 Dear Dr. Lewis Maccarter, 

Thank you for your insightful contribution to the discussion.

Olutosin

One way or another you need to replace the nutrients crops take from the soil

Interesting question , though , it is not clear , what angle , the adverse effect of fertilizer application on crop utilisation , we are looking at ...To ward off  any such possibility , we need to take into account the nutrient balance concept vis-a-vis crop nutrient removal, besides the precision of nutrient constraints diagnosis. rightly pointed out by our colleague , Paul , we need to replace the amount and type of nutrients thrown out of the given  agro-ecosystem... As long as , we succeed in ensuring these things , we will keep any possible negative effect of fertilizer application at bay  , either on productivity  or on  quality ...

 Thank you Dr. Anoop Kumar for sharing about how fertilizer utilization can remain beneficial to the crop while reducing the negative impact to the minimum.

Thank you

Olutosin

The adverse effects of fertilizers application represented in many aspects like environmental pollution , adverse effects on soil structure ,imbalance of nutrients in the soil , negative effects on soil pH.Increasing of some fertilizers application (especially N )gives negative effects on many plant species (cereals logging ,increasing juvenile period in fruit crops).

Good points Dr. Anoop and Olitosin, integrated nutrient management is the best approach to reduce negative impact of fertlizers.

Yes, ISFM stands alone concept to ward off any possible negative effect of fertilizer application on crop performance...

I wish the pending file be of your interest

Good points Dr. Anoop and Olitosin, integrated nutrient management (especially add chemical fertilizer to organic manure) is the best approach to reduce negative impact of fertlizers.

This is a very wide topic but in addition to the previous answers, application of any fertilizer is better done at the economic rate other than optimum rate. Similarly, application from the right source, rate, placement and time will reduce adverse effect on both crop and the environment.  Soil degradation is one of the adverse effects especially when chemical fertilizers are involved.

The question is more important in relation to soil-plant relationships and environment than crop production alone. Because excessive use of fertilizer affects soil quality and environment, such as water pollution through runoff, causing excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water (i.e. eutriphication) and pollution of the atmosphere as gas emission (e.g N2O). Continuous and excessive applications of nitrogen fertilizers containing sulfates (e.g. ammonium sulfate and ammonium sulfate nitrate) cause and exacerbate soil acidity, particularly in humid tropical soils.

Excessive uptake of nutrients (e.g. nitrate) by plants may also cause undesirable effects on human health. Another example, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers on the production of malt barley causes undesirable effect on the quality and amount of malt extracts and brewing process, which in turn affects the quality of the beer.  Overall, as mentioned above if not properly managed continuous application of chemical fertilizers may have adverse effects on soil health, plant growth and quality, and the environment. So, optimum and balanced fertilization based on soil test and crop requirement is advisable for sustainable agricultural productivity, and soil, crop and environmental quality.

Thank you,

Drs and Profs for your wonderful contributions to the discussion.

Suresh K. Malhotra

Anoop Kumar

Ali Alhayany

Seyfollah Fallah

Afolabi James O.,

Getachew Agegnehu

Really appreciate you all.

Olutosin

Chemical fertilizers are high in nutrient content such as nitrogen. Over-application of chemical fertilizer to plants may cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown, damaging the plant and reducing crop yield. This condition is known as chemical leaf scorch. Leaf scorch can cause the leaves of the plant to wither and may cause the plant to die.

The over-use of chemical fertilizers can lead to soil acidification because of a decrease in organic matter in the soil. Nitrogen applied to fields in large amounts over time damages topsoil, resulting in reduced crop yields. Sandy soils are much more prone to soil acidification than are clay soils. Clay soils have an ability to buffer the effects of excess chemical fertilization.

 Waterway pollution, chemical burn to crops, increased air pollution, acidification of the soil and mineral depletion of the soil are the adverse effects of chemical fertilizers.

Is there any work reported globally to highlight the deterioration in soil health ( mainly the labile nutrient pool of the soil ) due to application of chemical fertilizers , regardless of crops. And whenever we say application of chemical fertilizers , it doesnt mean , there should be off-site movement of nutrients..

Excessive nutrients can cause adverse effects on plant growth, increase the potential for environmental contamination due to leaching, and represents a waste of resources. In particular, above optimum nitrogen and phosphorus levels can lead to excessive plant and algal growth in waterways that can degrade drinking water, fisheries, and recreational areas.  High potassium can lead to an imbalance of base saturation levels as well as high soluble salts (an optional test available with the Routine Soil Analysis). High calcium and magnesium levels are commonly associated with pH values above 7.0.  In addition, high organic matter levels can cause poor drainage.  

In general the use of fertilizers having both the negative and positive perspective. it totally depends on the type, time of application and proper management. But the continue demand of food we can't ignore the use of fertilizers. So, the proper management and knowledge are the essential condition to suppress the negative effects (environmental pollution). 

 Many thanks to dear RG experts for your valuable and resourceful contributions to the discussion.

Olutosin

I find , many of the responses are very general , without specifying the  concretized results , except some of the good responses from Dr Malhotra passing some candid remarks...

I really appreciate the comment of Dr. Anoop Kumar. Sir, you can further educate us from your wealth of scientific experiences.

Thank you

Olutosin

The negative effects of fertilizers application may be shown in many pictures .One of these effects was the toxic symptoms on plants when this application increased over the recommended doses,the second one it may be caused an imbalance in the nutritional state in the root zone, third it may be have a negative role on growth cycle of the plant especially on flower bud initiation in fruit crops for example .The mineral fetilizers application may  affect soil structure and soil microorganisms balance, as well as it has a negative effect on soil pH and ECe.

I appreciate the question wanting and we should discuss how to negate the effects of applying chemical fertilizer in crop production and utilization?

Majority of farmers apply fertilisers to soils without soil testing which leads to excess or under application in relation to soil critical levels.The implications are that the soil properties will be destroyed such as increasing soil acidity,nutrient imbalance,destruction of soil structure,increasing bulk density which will affect soil productivity and subsequent low yields .There is need for ultilisation of organic fertilisers which contain both macro and micro nutrients to supply essential nutrients for bumper crop yields as well as supplying the needed negative charges to increase soil CEC,increase soil pH,reduce nutrient imbalance and improve soil physical properties and soil microorganisms. In conclusion,application of inorganic fertilisers to soils without soil testing is like a medical doctor prescribing drugs to patients without clinical test and cause temporary orpermanent damage to patient

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I really appreciate your contribution dear Dr. Moyin-Jesu Emmanuel . Thank you sir.

Olutosin

Adverse effect of fertilizers , first of all , you will notice only in some selected belts where agriculture is so advance , and secondly , it is not wise as well , since it will over-estimate the production cost , besides deteriorating the health of the aquatic life and water bodies...But, having said that , there is a possibility , if fertilizers are continuously poured on the higher sides  without consequently the same magnitude of nutrient removal , there could be a possibility , it will adversely affect the crop...

Thank you Dr. Anoop Kumar for your valuable contribution to the discussion.

Thank you dear RG experts for your invaluable contributions.

Olutosin

Thank you dear RG colleague for your contributions and recommendations on this discussion.

Olutosin

Fertilizers like Triple super phosphate has trace elements like cadmium and arsenic that accumulate in plant and through food chains reach to human that may cause health problems

Thank you for your insightful and educative contribution dear Dr.Mostafa Armandeh

Olutosin

Yes , this also constitutes an important issue where the adverse effect of chemical fertilizers accrues bid presence of heavy metals , thereby, denying the possible response of chemical/ mineral fertilizers. But again such effects are more of sectoral nature...

Thank you dear Dr. Anoop Kumar Srivastava for adding to the body of knowledge on this discussion. You're highly appreciated sir.

Olutosin

The use of chemical fertilizers may be used in the recommended doses to avoid the adverse effects of random use of them which may cause many negative effects on Agroecosystem balance and soil,water,air pollution as well as the negative effects on the crop it self which depend of the crop species,age,growth stage ,and the rate of fertilizers used if it was have a toxic effects or not.

Thank you Dr. Ali Alhayany for your contribution.

As we see plant nutrient utilization is need driven. So there has to be a need. Therefore too much or too little affects nutrient uptake/utilization by crop plants. How effective your crops are going to access the fertilizer applied is also affected by the agro-climatic condition under which the application is made. In addition, some of your fertilizer are going to be lost through various means: volatilization, photodegradation, microbial uptake, leaching/runoff and others. Based on these, anything that happens to what was applied, apart from those taken up by the crop to meet its need, will have adverse impact, either on the crop it self or the surrounding ago-ecosystem. The principle is to understand the basic fates of the chemicals, following instructions on how to apply the chemical, and, in most cases, manage anything absurd that may happen.

Thank you dear Dr. Patrick S. Michael for your invaluable contribution to this discussion.

one of the effect of high dosage use of nitrate fertilizers is :

nitrate may accumulate in plant cell and after some reactions become to Peroxynitrite that has adverse effect on human health

Thank you for your insightful contribution dear Dr. Mostafa Armandeh.

I remember somewhere Dr. Anoop mentioned about nutrient balance concept vis-a-vis crop nutrient removal, besides the precision of nutrient constraints diagnosis. This concept needs to be pursued.

Thank you Dr. Suresh K Malhotra for your valuable contributions to this discussion so far.

Olutosin

Surely Dr Malhotra , checks and balances of these costly inputs are mandatory...keeping an eye on yield sustainability....

Please have a look at enclosed PDF, very interesting...

Thank you sir for sharing this valuable document. My best regards.

Olutosin

Although fertilizer application is crucial for proper plant growth and development it may have also adverse effects on both crops and soils. This is particularly evident in situation where nutrient imbalances are created due to external fertilizer application. The availability of a particular nutrient in excess or low amount may have a negative effect on the availability of another nutrient, particularly those nutrients having similar availability range. Similarly, excess and contiguous application of sulfur and ammonium sources of N fertilizers may acidify soils and cause soil acidity. Thus, appropriate and balanced fertilization is very auspicious for proper plant growth and development, yield and soil nutrient balance.

Thank you Dr. Getachew Agegnehu for that precise and clear explanation of the proper use of fertilizer for efficient crop utilization.

Olutosin

Thank you Dr. Getachew Agegnehu for that precise and clear explanation of the proper use of fertilizer for efficient crop utilization.

Olutosin

Fertiliser per se may not damage the crop utilisation if only the required quantity of nutrients are supplied to plants. From crop utilisation point of view, the balanced nutrient ratios as available from natural forms of manures may not be derived which may affect the produce quality.

Because of environmental stresses, always the expected performance is not fit to the amount of used chemical fertilizer, so excess fertilizer contaminates the environment.in addition, the reliance on chemical fertilizer can reduce the level of legume cultivation, which that increases the use of fertilizer and reduces the activity of useful microorganisms in the soil is provided the soil conditions for the pathogenic microorganisms.

Thank you so much Drs. Kulasekaran Ramesh and Sina Fallah for your invaluable contributions on this discussion.

Olutosin

It's a good point. Most often we keep evaluating the crops to applied fertilizers . We also need to look at the integration of fertilizer response to dynamics of pests and diseases including bioagents ...

You are right Sir. Thank you for your invaluable contribution.

Olutosin

Thank you dear RG experts for the recommendations and wonderful contributions to this discussion.

Olutosin

I think until any chemical is applied excessive than recomended rates, there is no issue of any adverse effect.However nature of crops being grown also govern it.Same amount of N applied per ha for rice/wheat or maize may be too high for legumes/pulses etc.Similarly weather,soil adsorption and water status of a perticular area is of prime impotance in this regard.We cannot generalise this point over locations and seasons.r

Thank you sir for your invaluable contribution to this discussion.

Olutosin

We have yet not talked about the nutrient utilization by the crop when applied in doses considered having negative effect on crop production..??

You're right sir.

To increases the productivity of the crop, we are applying fertilizers. But indiscrimi indiscriminateuse of fertilizers(chemical) causes hazard to environmeny environmen. So fertilizers shd be applied on soil test basis As well as gradually we shd shift to application of organics organicfertilizers to maintain the soil health....however adopting the INM practice and RDF on soil test basis is the best solution

The negative effects on the use of fertilizers on crops change in some of the production properties in terms of quality and quality

Thank you dear Drs. Nityamanjari Mishra and Waqas Al-Joboory for your meaningful contributions.

Olutosin

Thank you dear RG colleagues for your valuable contributions and recommendations on this discussion.

Olutosin

accumulation of salts in the soil if done more frequently and end soil loses its productivity

Many thanks Dr. Ayodele Otaiku for sharing your valuable contribution on this discussion.

Thank you dear experts for your excellent contributions towards the development of agriculture.

Very interesting discussion has already taken place, but i would still love to see some publications where there is negative effect on soil ecology due to chemical fertilizers and production has gone down significantly on a long term basis....

Thank you Drs. Anoop Kumar Srivastava and Ayodele Otaiku for your valuable contributions.

Plant cannot differentiate whether the nutrient is from organic source or inorganic source. The only problem with the use of inorganic fertilizers is the imbalance of C:N ratio of the soil. Carbon is the energy source of bacteria for affecting all kinds of nutrient conversions. All the modern day problems are due to non mineralization of nutrients in the soil due to degradation in soil microbial population which ultimately gets in to our food chain.

Feeding the soil organisms instead of feeding the cultivated crop should become the frame of mind for employing synthetic fertilizers with extreme care. The feeding the soil organisms approach demands agronomic practices such as: cover cropping, rotations, green manure applications and polycultures, OP seed, which shift away from conventional practices. In other words the whole design of the farm and its management needs to be revisited to wean agriculture from its 'addiction' to synthetic fertilizers.

There are several harmful effects to crop use, including changing the quality and quality of the product as well as may have future effects in relation to the survival of the effects of this fertilizer in the product, which leaves carcinogenic substances on the human body for the long term also destroys the natural environment of the soil in terms of eliminating the nature of the living in the soil as changed qualities of soil physical, chemical and biological, and others.

Many thanks dear colleagues for these good contributions on this discussion.

Dear Olutosin,

Please have a look at these PDF attachments.

Good luck!

Dear Dr. Olutosin Ademola Otekunrin , you have raised an important issues that concerns every one of us.

Though fertilizers have important for production of our crops, its uncontrolled application has also negative effects on environment, soil physical and chemical properties, soil microbial activities, water pollution, negative health impact on human beings.

For more information, please also see the attached interesting publications.

Chemical fertilizers crowd out useful minerals naturally present in the top soil. The microbes in top soil enrich the humus and help to produce nutrients to be taken up by the plant and later by animals. But fertilizer enriched soil cannot support microbial life hence there is less humus and less nutrients and the soil can easily become poor and eroded by wind and rain.

Chemical fertilizers are made up of only a few minerals. Thus they impede the uptake of other minerals and imbalance the whole mineral pattern of plant body. Many crops today lack potassium due to excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizer. Excessive potash application decreases valuable nutrients in foods, such as ascorbic acid and carotene. Superphosphate lead to a copper and zinc deficiency.

Application of nitrate fertilizers increase the total crop yield but at the cost of protein. Moreover, subtle balance of amino acids is disturbed within the protein molecule, thus lowering the protein quality. Fertilizer use produces over-sized fruits and vegetables which are more prone to insects and other pests.

Dear Drs. Arvind Singh and Beemnet Mengesha Kassahun for your important inputs and these all-important PDFs on this discussion.

Check this links the articles maybe help

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-01412-0

Article Review of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Crop Production Syst...

Many thanks Dr. Jaime Cuauhtemoc Negrete for these helpful links.

The choice of employing synthetic fertilizers in agriculture can be very attractive to growers needed in boosting crop yields (assuming that they will also be able to provide all the other necessary inputs such as: irrigation water, improved/hybrid, or GE seed, mechanization, energy, agrichemicals for crop protection). Therefore, the economic cost of production increases and even more the environmental costs associated with fertilization. Best management practices may minimize environmental impacts yet, when I think about synthetic fertilizers, soil salinization, which leads to desertification comes to my mind, reinforcing my thinking that tend to seek for more ecological methods of crops fertilization. A very moderate use of synthetic fertilizers should always be embraced in agriculture, and accompanied primarily by organic fertilizers and agronomic techniques such as: cover cropping, green manuring, biochar and/or compost applications and a rotation system which includes animals grazing.

Discussion on the issue has already peaked with some exciting responses from our learned colleagues. But one is fistinctively missing. We have not touched upon the adverse effect of fertilizers that emerge due to nutrient interactions and eventually affect the utilisation efficiency. Is it crop of soil specific ?? Lets have some onward discussion on this issue...

Chemical fertilizers have aided farmers in increasing crop production since the 1930's. While chemical fertilizers have their place increasing plant nutrients in adverse weather conditions or during times when plants need additional nutrients, there are also several harmful effects of chemical fertilizers. Some of the harm chemical fertilizers may cause include waterway pollution, chemical burn to crops, increased air pollution, acidification of the soil and mineral depletion of the soil.

Many thanks Dr. Firas Ahmed for this helpful contribution to this discussion. You're appreciated Sir.

I wish Dr. Olutosin Ademola Otekunrin was specific to whether mineral/inorganic fertilizers or organic/bio-fertilizers in his question. it could have made the discussion more focus. Although organic and inorganic fertilizers have their side effects on crop and soil health, the former is preferable. it is also important to note that the use of fertilizers to boost soil fertility is inevitable and the question of which form of fertilizer.i.e organic or inorganic should be recommended is a global concern. I suggest integrated soil fertility management as a tool to avoid rampant usage of inorganic fertilizers as their adverse impact is high compared to organic fertilizers.

Waterway pollution, chemical burn to crops, increased air pollution, acidification of the soil and mineral depletion of the soil are the adverse effects of chemical fertilizers.

1) Stunting plant growth

2) Chemical burn to crops

3) Growing pest

4) Deplete food quality and taste

Chemical fertilizer overuse can contribute to soil acidification and soil crust, thereby reducing the content of organic matter, humus content, beneficial species, stunting plant growth, altering the pH of the soil, growing pests, and even leading to the release of greenhouse gases. The overuse of chemical fertilizers hardens the soil, reduces soil fertility, pollutes air, water, and soil, and lessens important nutrients of soil and minerals, thereby bringing hazards to environment.

1. Leaching of Fertilizers: Excess fertilizer application can lead to leaching of valuable nutrients, resulting in contamination of ground and surface water sources.

2. Runoff of Fertilizers: Excess fertilizer application can also lead to runoff of fertilizers, leading to eutrophication of water bodies and aquatic life.

3. Soil Acidification: Fertilizers are composed of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which can lead to soil acidification, resulting in decreased crop yields.

4. Soil Salinization: Excess fertilizer application can also lead to soil salinization, resulting in decrease in crop yields.

5. Air Pollution: Fertilizers can also lead to increased air pollution due to the release of nitrogen oxides and other greenhouse gases.

6. Nutrient Imbalance: Excess fertilizer application can lead to an imbalance of nutrients in the soil, resulting in decreased crop yields.