What are organic fertilizers?
by admin | Oct 9, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 comments
Fertilizers are minerals essential for the growth of crops to improve productivity. We all are aware of the fact that fertilizers are of two types- organic and chemical fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers are beneficial for crop productivity but harm soil fertility.
The changing world is now switching to organic products to minimize the loss caused due to chemical products. The main question is, what are organic fertilizers? How are they made?
With so many questions and queries, we will today discuss what are organic fertilizers.
What are Organic Fertilizers?
The term organic means something derived from living matter. Organic fertilizers are an essential supplement for plant nutrients and soil. They are available naturally and differ from chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are capable of mitigating problems associated with synthetic fertilizers. They reduce the necessity of repeated application of synthetic fertilizers to maintain soil fertility. So, if anyone asks you, what are organic fertilizers? You know have the detailed information about them.
Organic fertilizers take time to show their effect as they gradually release nutrients into the soil solution and maintain nutrient balance for the healthy growth of crop plants. They are a great source of energy for soil microbes that helps improve the soil structure.
Organic fertilizers are safer than chemical fertilizers, but improper use of organic fertilizers leads to over fertilization or nutrient deficiency in the soil. Therefore, organic fertilizers should be used effectively to overcome such impacts.
Significance of Organic Fertilizers
Another crucial aspect of what are organic fertilizers is their significance. In this world of modern agriculture, the role of organic fertilizers in agricultural production is becoming dominant.
Organic products are better in terms of quality and taste and maintain the unique nutrition and flavor of fruits and vegetables. Also, organic fertilizers play a vital role in improving soil structure. Therefore, we must understand and use organic fertilizers.
Excess use of chemical fertilizers causes soil acidification and eutrophication of water bodies. Improper accumulation of livestock and poultry manure causes pollution. By using organic fertilizers, we can kill two birds with one stone! It improves the quality of agricultural products and improves animal husbandry.
Organic fertilizers use citrus water and bear the potential to enrich soil quality via the addition of nutrient components and by maintaining pH, enriching the soil with beneficial microbes.
These microbes digest the complex biomolecules into simpler ones, making them easier for plants to uptake.
Nutritional value of Organic fertilizers
What is organic fertilizers’ nutritional value? How is organic fertilizer supporting essential minerals for plants? Let’s have a look!
Organic Fertilizers comprise plant, animal, and agricultural waste. Whether it’s dried plant material or animal manure litter, Organic fertilizers compromise varieties of plant-derived materials that range.
The nutrient content in organic fertilizers varies greatly among source materials. Nitrogen and phosphorus content is lower than chemical fertilizers. Another factor that moisture content. Moisture content reduces the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of organic fertilizers. Therefore it can be cost-ineffective to transport high-moisture organic fertilizer long distances. So, What’s the solution? You can use locally available sources.
The nutritional value of animal manure is more than that of agricultural by-products. The nutrient value depends on the diet of the animal. The application of organic fertilizer increases heterotrophic bacterial biomass, which stimulates other secondary productivity.
Types of Organic Fertilizers
Animal-Based
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Bone Meal
Bone meal is an organic fertilizer made from animal bones. It is rich in phosphorus, calcium, and nitrogen. Bone meals promote plant growth, help flowers grow, and increase yield.
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Blood meal
The dried form of animal blood is a blood meal. It increases the nitrogen content in the soil and makes the plants denser. The fertilizer releases nitrogen promotes flowering and acts as a natural pest repellent.
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Animal Manure
We all are aware of animal manure. Manure comes from a variety of animals. Cow manure is commonly used as fertilizer and increases moisture-holding capacity and air penetration of soil.
Seabird guano is an organic fertilizer for lawns. It controls the nematodes on the soil and acts as a natural fungicide.
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Fish meal
Fish meal is a rich source of calcium, nitrogen, and phosphorous. It improves soil health and increases fertility.
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Fish Emulsion
Fish emulsion is a mixture of decomposed fishes. It has a high dose of nitrogen and acts as a soil conditioner. But, one has to be careful while dealing with Fish emulsion as it is highly acidic, and overuse can burn plants.
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Shellfish
The broken shells or bones of shellfish and crabs comprise the shellfish. These organic fertilizers are rich in calcium, little phosphorus promotes root growth, and the presence of Chitin inhibits the growth of some pests.
Plant-Based
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Compost
Compost is a plant-based organic fertilizer and excellent for soil. It promotes organic matter and improves soil fertility. Compost provides rich nutrition to plants, improving the water holding capacity of the soil.
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Cottonseed Meal
Cottonseed meal is another organic fertilizer rich in nitrogen and a small amount of phosphorus and potassium. It is an excellent organic fertilizer for grass and is used to regulate the soil environment.
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Alfalfa and Soybean meal
They contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and neutral pH. Alfalfa and soybean meal is proven to be effective for longer-lasting results during soil maintenance.
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Seaweed
Another plant-based immediate-release fertilizer is Seaweed. It is an excellent source of zinc and iron and works well with high-potash crops.
Mineral Fertilizers
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Greensand
Greensand is an olive-green sandstone containing glauconite. Greensand is rich in iron, magnesium, and potassium and aids
the stimulation of flowering and fruition in fruit trees. It also increases the water content in the soil to improve the rhizosphere.
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Rock Phosphate
Rock phosphate has 30% phosphate with high concentrations of trace micronutrients as they are extracted from minerals and clay. It increases soil acidity and promotes plant seedling growth.
Organic fertilizers improve the fertility of your soil and promote the growth of plants. Proper use of organic fertilizers can give you good yielding of crops without harming the soil.
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