Synthetic Fertilizer

According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, synthetic fertilizers "are chemically manufactured materials containing one or more of the primary nutrients necessary for plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium."

Because synthetic fertilizers are manufactured in a processing plant, they typically contain higher levels of nitrogen, phosophorous, or potassium; however, unlike organic furtilizers, synthetic fertilizers require the Haber-Bosch process which is carbon-intensive and leads to more pollution for the environment.