What is the role of fertiliser?

The role of fertiliser is to provide plants with the nutrients they need to grow and produce a good yield. The three main nutrients that plants need are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

• Nitrogen is essential for plant growth and development. It is involved in the production of chlorophyll, which is the green pigment that gives plants their colour. Nitrogen also helps plants to produce proteins and other essential molecules.
• Phosphorus is important for plant root development and energy production. It is also involved in the formation of seeds and fruits.
• Potassium helps plants to regulate their water balance and resistance to stress. It is also involved in the production of starch and other carbohydrates.

In addition to these three main nutrients, plants also need other nutrients in smaller amounts, such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and iron.

Fertilisers can be applied to the soil in a variety of ways, including broadcast application, band application, and foliar application. The method that is used depends on the crop being grown, the soil conditions, and the desired application rate.

Fertilisers can be a valuable tool for increasing crop yields and improving the quality of food. However, it is important to use them wisely and to avoid over-fertilisation. Over-fertilisation can lead to environmental problems, such as nutrient runoff and water pollution.

Here are some of the benefits of using fertilisers:

• Increased crop yields: Fertilisers can help to increase crop yields by up to 50%.
• Improved crop quality: Fertilisers can help to improve the quality of crops by making them larger, healthier, and more nutritious.
• Increased resistance to pests and diseases: Fertilisers can help plants to resist pests and diseases by making them stronger and healthier.
• Reduced need for pesticides: Fertilisers can help to reduce the need for pesticides by making plants less susceptible to pests and diseases.

Here are some of the risks of using fertilisers:

• Environmental pollution: Fertilisers can pollute the environment if they are not used properly.
• Water contamination: Fertilisers can contaminate water supplies if they are not properly managed.
• Air pollution: The production of fertilisers can contribute to air pollution.
• Eutrophication: Fertilisers can contribute to eutrophication, which is the excessive growth of algae in waterways.

It is important to use fertilisers wisely and to avoid over-fertilisation in order to minimise the risks to the environment. Bardee's Superfly fertiliser is made from black soldier fly castings and exoskeletons, and so it can reduce or remove the risks of fertiliser application. Every kilo of Superfly actually represents at least 5kg of CO2 offset, because it's been produced by diverting food waste away from landfill, where it would have release methane, 80x more potent that CO2. It's also organic, and slow release and so it's very difficult to over-use, because the nutrients and microbes are delivered in natural balance - and by improving the quality of the soil, will actually mean you need to use less fertiliser over time, to get the same great results.