Fertilizers supplement plants with the vital nutrients needed for optimal, healthy growth. There are two categories of fertilizers: organic and inorganic. (homeguides.sfgate.com).
Read also: Types of Inorganic Fertilizers
What is Organic Fertilizer?
Any fertilizer that originates from an organic source, we consider it organic. Some examples include fish extracts, manure, and compost. (www.gardenmyths.com)
According to homeguides.sfgate.com, Organic fertilizers undergo little processing and include ingredients such as compost and manure.
Read also: Organic Farming: Types, Principles, Methods and Importance
Advantages of Organic Fertilizer
- Organic fertilizers, besides releasing nutrients for plant’s growth also improves soil structure. The continuous application of organic fertilizer will improve water and nutrients retention of the soil and improve activities or beneficial soil organisms.
- Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly and so it is difficult to over fertilize and harm your plants.
- You avoid the condition of the toxic build up of chemicals and salts. These chemicals and salts are not good for plants. Moreso, they can wash into nearby waters and underground waters, making them unhealthy for consumption by man or animals.
- Organic fertilizers are environmentally friendly and sustainable. Also, they are renewable and biodegradable.
- Organic fertilizers can be made from household biodegradable waste such as kitchen waste, plant leaves and other plant residues. .
Read also: Inorganic Fertilizer: Advantages and Disadvantages
Disadvantages of Organic Fertilizer
- Organic fertilizer takes some time to break down and so releases nutrients slowly. This does not help in the quick recovery of crops.
- It is bulky. Nutrient levels in organic fertilizers are relatively low and so requires relatively large quantities to reach plants requirements.
- Microorganisms require warm and moist conditions to break down release nutrients. During the dry and cold seasons, the activity of microorganisms is substantially reduced and so the effectiveness of fertilizer is limited.
Read also: Compost: Composting Steps, Materials and Importance
Now your thoughts Organic Fertilizer vs Inorganic Fertilizer. Please comment.
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January 15, 2018
January 15, 2018
14 Comments. Leave new
I have often heard people saying that organic fertilizer only helps the crops to grow vegetatively but doesn’t help in fruition. Pls how true is this?
A well formulated organic fertilizer will not cause that.
Pls I would be glad if u could elaborate on this or better still give me ur email or any other contact so we can have a personal conversation
Alright, Samuel.
All other factors constant, vegetative growth in plants caused by an organic fertilizer may be due to the lack of some nutrients. The fertilizer should have a good balance of the primary nutrients; Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and secondary nutrients; calcium, magnesium, copper and other micronutrients like copper, boron, manganese etc. All these elements provided by the fertilizer will help the plant to grow and bear its fruits. When you have more nitrogen and the lack of phosphorus the plant is likely to grow vegetative and not produce flowers for fruit formation.
Hope this helps.
I didn’t realize that fertilizer could actually help improve nutrient and water retention of the soil. Essentially, getting good fertilizer would be an investment in the future of your lawn or garden by using it continually. It would make sense that you could talk to a fertilizer manufacturer to figure out what would be best for your lawn before trying anything.
http://www.tandninc.com/about-us.html
A very good point, Kylie.
Thanks for the addition.
I like that you mention how organic farming fertilizers are environmentally friendly and sustainable. My sister is looking to buy some because she doesn’t want to be using chemicals and other enhancers like that. I think I will talk to her about how that is the exact fertilizer she will want. https://www.naturesafe.com/markets/organic-fertilizer-for-agriculture/
Glad to know, Kyle.
Please I just planted plantain a month ago and intend to use poultry manure.
Is it better than inorganic mop and urea
Poultry manure, besides the provision of plants nutrients after decomposition, has other benefits. Serving as mulch, improving soil structure and improving activities of soil organisms are some of them. Muriate of Potash (MOP) may serve the purpose of almost immediately making potassium available to the plant. The choice would really depend on what you would want to achieve. For the long-term sustainable production and soil amendment, poultry manure would be my choice on a normal soil.
Thank you.
Hello Afrane, could you please assist me fertilizer companies that supply organic fertilizer in Ghana.
Edmund, please try Acarp Compost Ltd (0244945713) or Green-Gro Limited (0208904725).
Thank you.
I am learning more everyday
Thanks for the info, I share it with my group of Organic farming in South Africa as we battle with GMO’s
Zanele Zah Maleki, thanks too, for reading and sharing. All the best.