Crossword Genius

It fertilises egg at speed (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nitrate

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'it fertilises' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'egg at speed' is the wordplay.
'egg' becomes 'nit' (a nit is an insect egg).
'at' says to put letters next to each other.
'speed' becomes 'rate' (the speed at which something happens).
'nit'+'rate'='NITRATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nitrate that I've seen before include "Natural or synthetic fertiliser" , "Tear tin up for fertiliser" , "salt" , "following 28 [SILVER]" , "Nattier (anag.)" .)

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app