megtermékenyíteni

megtermékenyíteni is a Hungarian verb meaning “to make fertile” or “to fertilize.” It describes the process of enhancing the biological fertility of soil, plants, or other ecosystems, typically through the application of organic or inorganic substances that supply essential nutrients. The term is often used in agricultural, horticultural, and environmental contexts where soil health is a critical concern.

The word is composed of the prefix meg‑, which can denote completion or intensity, the root term termékeny, meaning “fertile” or “productive,” and the infinitive suffix –íteni, which forms infinitival verbs. This construction is typical of Hungarian verbal morphology, where a prefix modifies the core meaning of the root and the suffix marks the action as an infinitive.

In practice, megtermékenyíteni is employed to describe actions such as adding compost, applying chemical fertilizers, or employing crop rotations and cover crops that improve nutrient availability and soil structure. The verb can also refer to broader restoration efforts, including phytoremediation or biochar addition, aimed at revitalizing degraded lands.

Related terms include fertírozni (“to fertilize”) and talajtermékenyítése (“soil fertilization”), which share similar usage but differ in nuance; the former is more general, while the latter is a noun phrase denoting the process. In literature, the concept is often paired with soil conservation practices, sustainable agriculture, and ecological restoration.