Effect of Excess Fertilizers and Nutrients: A Review on Impact on Plants and Human Population

Unduly high concentration or intake of elements and nutrients can have adverse effect on plant growth. Also few elements, especially heavy metals have tendency to bio-accumulate. The plants can become source of excess heavy metal intake in human beings. Meeting the growing need for food is a challenge. For this, agricultural land per unit area is required to achieve maximum efficiency. Use of fertilizers and nutrients is one way to supply achieve this. The presence of heavy metals affects the plant growth. Excess use of fertilizers may lead to heavy metal accumulation, eutrophication and accumulation of phosphate and nitrate. Excessive phosphorus is potential threat to water quality. Policies and rules for encouraging effective and environment friendly use of fertilizers and its supply can improve the soil quality and prevent the adverse effects on human beings.