Fertilizing

The application of Organic or inorganic Compounds to the soil in order to increase its fertility. Whereas exclusively natural Fertilizers (animal excrements, peat and compost, etc.) were used previously, artificially manufactured Fertilizers (Phosphates, Nitrates) are now used predominantly. The intensive fertilization which has been carried out with artificial Fertilizers has given rise to a crtain extent to major environmental problems (e.g. Nitrate pollution of the ground water, over-fertilization of standing or slow- flowing waterways, and the dischargs of polluting nutrients into the seas).