Difference Between Pesticides and Fertilizers

Pesticides vs Fertilizers

Pesticides and fertilizers are very needed for a plant to grow healthfully.

Fertilizers, which come in dry and liquid form, feed the plant with the required nutrients. Fertilizers are available in organic and inorganic compounds. Pesticides are used in plants for eliminating, preventing, or controlling pests like; slugs, insects, fungal diseases (smuts, rots, and mildew), and snails.

Apart from preventing and controlling pests, the pesticides also kill other bugs, such as ladybugs, bees, and the like. Pesticides include insecticides, fungicides, weed control materials, and rodent poisons. These pesticides act by destroying, preventing, and repelling harmful organisms. Most of the pesticides act on the nervous system of the organism.

As plants grow, the nutrients in the soil get depleted and are not restored by natural means. It is here where fertilizers are needed to boost the nutrient content. Plants generally require phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium for its growth. The fertilizers contain all these in varying degrees and also contain other nutrients such as zinc and iron.

Just like pesticides and fertilizers are useful to the plants they are also harmful. The pesticides cause collateral harm to other organisms. The pesticides are also toxic to human beings and also to useful insects like bees. When talking about the harm of fertilizers, it flows into the ground water which can pollute the water. This is highly toxic. Moreover, fertilizers also enhance the growth of harmful aquatic organisms like algae which can alter aquatic ecosystems.

Summary:

1.Fertilizers, which come in dry and liquid form, feed the plant with the required nutrients. Pesticides are used on plants for eliminating, preventing, or controlling pests like; slugs, insects, fungal diseases (smuts, rots, and mildew), and snails.
2.Pesticides include insecticides, fungicides, weed control materials, and rodent poisons.
3.Most of the pesticides act on the nervous system of the organisms.
4.Plants generally require phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium for its growth. The fertilizers contain all these in varying degrees and also contain other nutrients such as zinc and iron.
5.The pesticides cause collateral harm to other organisms. The pesticides are also toxic to human beings and also to useful insects like bees.
6.Fertilizers flow into the ground water which can pollute the water. This is highly toxic. Moreover, fertilizers also enhance the growth of harmful aquatic organisms like algae which can alter aquatic ecosystems.

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