Fertilizers are substances that supply plant nutrients or amend soil fertility.
They are the most effective means of increasing crop production and of improving the quality of food and fodder. With them, food for more people can be produced than this planet would otherwise support. The upper limit of fertilizer use from the production point of view is determined by the limit of economic return. The granules are either worked into the top layer of the soil or left for slow penetration by rain water. Food quality is definitely improved by adequate use of fertilizers in general, and of mineral fertilizers in particular, provided they are applied in accordance with the latest concepts and knowledge.