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 combine different crops in a single field, according to ecologists. The move could improve soil health, 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 soils 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.