Q1: Conditioners like finely divided peat are added to the fertiliser to

ANS:B - avoid caking & hardening.

Conditioners like finely divided peat are added to fertilizers to avoid caking and hardening. When fertilizers are stored for extended periods or exposed to high humidity, they can absorb moisture and become clumped or hardened. This phenomenon, known as caking, can make it difficult to handle and apply the fertilizer effectively. Finely divided peat, along with other materials like clay or gypsum, is added to fertilizers as a conditioning agent to prevent caking and ensure that the fertilizer remains free-flowing and easy to handle. By preventing caking and hardening, conditioning agents like finely divided peat help maintain the physical integrity of the fertilizer, making it easier to store, transport, and apply. This ensures that the nutrients in the fertilizer are evenly distributed and readily available to plants when applied to the soil.