fertilize
Add nutrients to
To fertilize is to make fertile or productive.
In agriculture, you fertilize soil by adding nutrients—manure, compost, or chemical compounds—to promote plant growth: We fertilized the lawn in early spring.
In biology, fertilize means to initiate reproduction by combining male and female reproductive cells: The sperm fertilizes the egg.
The figurative sense suggests enriching something to stimulate development: Travel fertilizes the imagination.
Floral reproductive grains
- stamenPollen-producing flower organ
- antherPollen-producing structure
- pistilSeed-producing flower organ
- ovaryFemale reproductive gland
nectar · bee · pollinator · cross-pollinate · flower · blossom · stigma · honeybee
Decayed organic fertilizer
- manureAnimal waste as fertilizer
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
nutrients · organic · mulch · amend · humus · topsoil · guano · vermicompost
Seed's initial growth phase
- seedlingRecently sprouted young plant
- sproutNew plant emergence
- flourishTo grow vigorously
- propagateSpread or breed further
bloom · root · cultivar · verdant · thrive · develop · nurture · nourish
Male reproductive cell
- eggReproductive cell in shell
- conceptionFormation of an idea
- zygoteFirst embryonic cell
- embryoOrganism before birth
ovulation · insemination · implantation · gamete · in vitro · IVF · ova · semen
pollen
Floral reproductive grains
- stamenPollen-producing flower organ
- antherPollen-producing structure
- pistilSeed-producing flower organ
ovary · nectar · bee · pollinator · cross-pollinate · flower · blossom · stigma · honeybee · butterfly
compost
Decayed organic fertilizer
- manureAnimal waste as fertilizer
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- phosphorusGlow-in-dark element
potassium · nutrients · organic · mulch · amend · humus · topsoil · guano · vermicompost · bone meal
germination
Seed's initial growth phase
propagate · bloom · root · cultivar · verdant · thrive · develop · nurture · nourish · mature
sperm
Male reproductive cell
- eggReproductive cell in shell
- conceptionFormation of an idea
- zygoteFirst embryonic cell
embryo · ovulation · insemination · implantation · gamete · in vitro · IVF · ova · semen · intercourse
crop
Cultivated agricultural plants
sow · irrigate · farmland · tillage · husbandry · furrow · seedbed · harrowing · transplanting · furrowing
fertilizedeplete
Greatly reduce supply
exhaust · impoverish · drain · strip · leach
- nitrogen fertilizerNutrient compound for crops
- fertilized eggPost-conception cell
- fertility clinicReproductive medicine facility
- fertility treatmentMedical help conceiving
- fertility issuesDifficulty achieving pregnancy
- Human fertilizationGamete fusion creating zygote
fertility, fertilizer, infertility, fertilizing, fertilized, fertilizers, fertilization, fertilizes, fertiliser