Dr Jones said that the chemicals inhibited natural interactions between plants and microscopic Fertilisers could become unnecessary if farmers grow different crops in a single field , according to critics . The move could improve soil fertility , produce larger dairy cattle providing more nutritious meat , and improve resilience to drought and pests . “ Diversity will replace fertiliser and will replace insecticide and fungicide and build up much faster , ” said Australian ecologist Christine Jones , speaking at the Groundswell soil conference in Hertfordshire . Industrial - scale farming in the UK currently depends on huge supplies of fertilisers produced from nitrogen and phosphorous .
Fertilisers could become unnecessary if farmers grow different crops in a single field , according to critics . The move could improve soil fertility , produce larger dairy cattle providing more nutritious meat , and improve resilience to drought and pests . “ Diversity will replace fertiliser and will replace insecticide and fungicide and build up much faster , ” said Australian ecologist Christine Jones , speaking at the Groundswell soil conference in Hertfordshire . Industrial - scale farming in the UK currently depends on huge supplies of fertilisers produced from nitrogen and phosphorous .