Question

Which chemical compound is responsible for making soil infertile?
A.Fertilizers
B.Germicides
C.Verbicides
D.All of the above

Answer 1

Soil infertility occurs as a result of any physical or chemical damage of the soil that adversely affects the growth of crops. It can result from the addition of various chemical compounds in an inappropriate way on the soil for various purposes, such as, to improve the fertility of soil or to kill the pests which harm the plants.

Complete answer:
Fertilizers are chemical compounds or synthetic chemical compounds which are added to soil to increase the crop yield. Different types of chemical fertilizers contain different important elements or compounds required for plant growth such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphate etc. Fertilizers help maximise the productivity and efficiency of crops. Even though chemical fertilizers have proven to be useful to farmers in improving their production, there are some drawbacks of chemical fertilizers. Using a large amount of fertilizers on a piece of land can harm the soil in many ways. When used in excess or improperly, it can potentially cause damage to the soil and its useful microbes, can cause groundwater pollution, air pollution, chemical burn of crops, acidification of soil which adversely could affect the fertility of the soil and depletion of minerals in the soil.

Hence, option (A) Fertilizers is the correct answer.

Note:
Fertilizers are chemical compounds mixed with soil to improve the fertility of the soil. They can be of synthetic or natural origin. Overfertilization of soil has a very crucial role to play in leading to the infertility of soil, whereas, usage of fertilizers in the right amount can prove beneficial to crop growth and yield.