Fertilizers may Have Been Used by Ancient Civilisation 5,000 Years Ago Claim Researchers

Researchers have claimed that a Swedish Stone Age community may have used fertilizers.

Researchers have claimed that a Swedish Stone Age community may have used fertilisers.

University of Gothenburg researchers have spent many years studying the remains of a Stone Age community in Karleby outside the town of Falkoping, Sweden.

Nitrogen Fertilizers Deplete Not Enrich Organic
A new study by scientists from the University of Illinois contradicts the generally accepted theory that nitrogen fertilizers benefit the soil by building up organic carbon.

The two researchers and archaeologists Tony Axelsson and Karl-Goran Sjogren using remains of grains and other plants and some highly advanced analysis techniques, have been able to identify parts of the diet of their Stone Age ancestors.

"Our first task was to find so-called macrofossils, such as old weed seeds or pieces of grain," Axelsson said.

The results of the first grain analyses have now been presented, and point to elevated levels of the isotope N15 (nitrogen 15).

Researchers Say Fertilizers Could Help Tackle Nutritional Deficiency in African Country
Researchers have said that enriching crops by adding a naturally-occurring soil mineral to fertilisers could potentially help to reduce disease and premature death in the African country of Malawi.

The elevated levels may indicate that the fertilisers were used in the area of Karleby already 5,000 years ago.

'We will continue our analyses both in the field and in the lab, and are hoping to find more macrofossils," Axelsson said.

Water Quality In US Improves After Ban On Phosphorus-Containing Lawn Fertilizers
Water quality in the United States (US) has improved after the ban on lawn fertilizers, indicates a new study with evidence.

"Hopefully we'll find some weed seeds, as they may help confirm that fertilisers were indeed used since the type of weeds found in a field can signal whether fertilisers or some other method was used," he added.

Source-ANI

Food, Fuels and Fertilizers : The Three Major Challenges Facing the World
Commerce and Industry Minister, Kamal Nath today identified food, fuels and fertilizers as the three challenges facing the world.