What is one of the main risks of over-fertilization in agriculture?

Over-fertilization in agriculture poses significant risks, particularly in terms of harming plants and creating environmental issues. When crops receive too much fertilizer, they may experience nutrient imbalances, which can lead to toxicity, stunted growth, or even death. Additionally, excess fertilizers can leach into the soil and water systems, causing nutrient runoff that contributes to water pollution—a phenomenon known as eutrophication. This process leads to algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in aquatic environments and harm marine life.

This understanding highlights why managing fertilizer application is crucial for both plant health and the sustainability of ecosystems. The other choices do not accurately reflect the consequences of excessive fertilization, instead presenting benefits or negating negative effects that do not align with established agricultural principles.