A fertilizer is artificially prepared manure with a variable concentration of plant food. Fertilizers are mostly inorganic preparations although some like urea are organic compounds.
A good farmer knows the importance of a good
fertilizer. Recognizing which fertilizer best fits the needs of your specific
plants will help you to maximize your productivity and output. Become a
fertilizing expert as you learn about the different options and nutrients that
can impact your crops. Fertilizers can be purchased in dry (granular) or liquid
form.
Dry
fertilizers are applied using a broadcast spreader, a planter or drill. When
two or more fertilizer sources are mixed, some degree of particle size
uniformity of each of the individual sources is essential for uniform placement
of the nutrients in the mixture. With the proper equipment, liquid fertilizers
are easy to handle.
Chemical
compatibility of different liquid fertilizers is important when materials are
mixed to prevent precipitation in the mixing tank. Two major sources of
fertilizers are the organic and inorganic sources giving rise to organic and
inorganic fertilizers.
By
the end of this article, you will be able to outline the different sources of
fertilizers and discuss the advantage and disadvantage of each of the sources.
2 Main Sources of Fertilizers
1. Organic
Fertilizers
2. Inorganic
Fertilizers
Organic
fertilizers are made from natural and organic materials—mainly manure, compost,
or other animal and plant products. These fertilizers are a great source of
nutrients, though there isn’t a measurable amount of any specific
nutrients—some bags will print estimates.
Organic
fertilizers tend to work slowly and over the long-term. It can help to build up
your soil over time. One of the best benefits of organic fertilizers is that is
can be made at home. Using your own compost can help grow your garden.
Inorganic
fertilizers are made of up chemical components that contain necessary
nutrients, hence may be referred to as chemical or synthetic fertilizers. If
you’re looking to give your garden a quick boost, this is likely the best
option for you. For successful short-term growth, determine what nutrient your
plant needs and use an inorganic fertilizer with nutrient.
1. Organic Fertilizers
It
is necessary to clarify that organic fertilizers, in some countries, are those
fertilizers that can be used in organic farming, and are derived from animal
matter, animal excreta, human excreta and vegetable matter, according to some
international standards.
European
Commissions working groups gave a more generic definition of organic
fertilizers as those whose nutrients are contained in organic materials of
animal, vegetable or other natural organic origin constituted by
compounds/materials, in which the main nutrients are chemically linked or are
part of these organic matrices.
The
nutrients contained in organic fertilizers must be transformed in the soil by
microorganisms before they are assimilated by the plants. Their incorporation
into the crops is, however, more gradual than those of inorganic or mineral
fertilizers.
Importance of organic
fertilizers in agriculture
Organic
fertilizer, when available, can and should be part and parcel of soil fertility
management strategies. Organic fertilizer alone will, however, not be
sufficient to support the sustained high levels of production and productivity
necessary to feed Africa’s rapidly growing population. This is due to
space–time variability in production and utilization.
Application
of organic fertilizers, as a component of sustainable agriculture apart from
soil mineral provision, contribute to soil quality by improving the chemistry,
biological and structural levels of soil. These shape the general agricultural
soils‟ health.
Its
nutrients are also gradually released and reused. Because it is based, mostly
on locally sourced materials with little or no dependence on external inputs,
it is one of the eco-friendly infrastructures for sustainable rural
development.
Benefits of using organic
fertilizers
There
is an array of advantages in using organic fertilizers for crops production.
Some examples of such advantages are as stated below:
1. Improves soil Structure
Because
of the organic matter present in organic fertilizer, soil structure is improved
and as a result, the soil water and nutrients holding capacity increases.
2. More microorganisms’
activity
Organic
fertilizer is rich in organic matter, which assists microbes to favourably
perform decomposition activity. Organic fertilizer also contains carbon as part
of its chemical structure; and it is the C, along with N, P and K that
nourishes microorganisms and enables them to make nutrients available for
plants in a naturally occurring biological process.
3. More environmentally
Friendly
Chemical fertilizers run off into waterways thereby harming aquatic life and
water quality. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, do not run off as
easily, even if at all, and are associated with soil structure.
According
to the Organic Trade Association, organic fertilizers also increase species
biodiversity by up to 30 % compared with artificial fertilizers.
4. Reduce Fertilizers and
Pesticides
Although
organic fertilizers can be costlier than synthetic, depending on certain
factors and conditions, it can reduce the need for pesticides and the overall
N, P and K requirements. This is due to reductions; organic fertilizer can be
cost neutral and sometimes a cost savings.
5. Plant Damage Threat
Avoided
Some
synthetic fertilizers can cause plant damage to leaves and roots, due to their
burning effects. This is a situation less likely with organic fertilizers.
Shortcomings of using organic fertilizers
1. Not all Products are created
Equally
Not all products are created equally and many organic products produce
inconsistent results. Make sure you are selecting a product that is industry
vetted by reviewing any university studies or case studies.
2. Low Nutrient Levels
The level of nutrients present in organic fertilizer is
usually low. Additionally, the nutrients are often complex in organic chemical
structure. Using an organic fertilizer is, therefore a process, not an event.
3. Making compost may be a Complicated
Procedure While one can produce one’s own compost;
it’s sometimes a messy and complicated process that may lead to an inconsistent
product and end-result. Another disadvantage is that, when organic matter
decomposition is rapid, more nutrients are released but release of soil organic
matter, on the other hand, is favoured by a slow decomposition process.
Decomposition of organic matter, therefore, operates with moisture and temperature.
These
two vital factors can, however, not be controlled and hence nutrient may be
released when the plants do not need them.
4. Potentially pathogenic
In addition, an organic fertilizer or incomplete/badly
formed compost can leave some types of pathogens in organic matter. The
pathogens can later enter water or food chains, thereby causing environmental
and health problems.
2. Inorganic Fertilizers
Inorganic
fertilizers are available in the form of single fertilizers, incomplete
fertilizers and complete fertilizers. Single element fertilizers contain only
one fertilizer element. Examples are ammonium sulphate (N2), Urea (N), super
phosphate (P205), Mariate of potash (K2O). Incomplete fertilizers contain two
fertilizer elements; a typical example is Ammonium Phosphate (N + P205).
Compound
fertilizers containing three elements are designated complete fertilizers.
Ammonium phosphate which has an analysis of 11-45-0 is also called a compound
two element fertilizer while an example of a complete fertilizer is compound
15-15-15.
The
use of inorganic fertilizer is one of the crucial land management practices
that has reduced nutrient problem in cropland and considerably increased soil
fertility and consequent crop yields over the past century.
Chemical
P fertilizer production was also enhanced along with the P acid. On the one
hand, as a crucial constituent of the green revolution, the histrionic increase
in fertilizer production and application has markedly contributed in global
rise in agricultural productivity and, hence, reduced hunger. Disproportionate
use of inorganic fertilizer, on the other hand, is proven to be causing a
number of environmental and ecological menaces, within and outside of
farmlands, as eutrophication of water bodies, air pollution, soil acidification
and degradation, reduction in crop yield, and attenuation of food and energy
production sustainability from agricultural fields.
Increase
in world total fertilizer use is derived from both cropland expansion and
elevated fertilizer application rate per unit cropping area.
Benefits of using Inorganic fertilizers
There
are various advantages of inorganic fertilizers to crop plants. Some examples
of such benefits are given below for reference purpose, as follows:
1. Support to crop growth
Generally,
chemical fertilizers contain the primary plant nutrients (N, P and K) in
specifically predetermined ratios tailored towards specific growth needs of
specific crop plants. These fertilizer’s nutrients allow crops to grow even in
depleted soils, as the basic nutritional requirements of the crop plants are
met.
2. Provision of a
predictable and efficient nutrients’ source
Manufactured
fertilizers contain a predictable ratio of N, P and K. These nutrients are
dissolved in the soil water before quickly reaching plants‟ cells, where they
are required. The nutrients consistency allow for efficient production of crop
products.
3. Allow crops to grow
faster and bigger
Crops
are capable of growing faster and bigger, due to the nutrients being applied to
them through fertilizer application, than those crops living in infertile
and/or unproductive soils.
4. Allow for an increased
harvest
A
quick and efficient production increases harvest yields thereby making food
relatively more available and, hence even, affordable through a reduced cost of
production.
5. Their nature of easy
transport
Chemical
fertilizers are easier to transport than such organic soil amendments as animal
manure. They are also cheap to produce, and hence cheap to purchase, depending
of course upon the country.
Shortcomings of Using
Inorganic Fertilizers
1. Possible burning effect
Synthetic
fertilizers are composed of high amounts of acidic chemicals and can,
therefore, have negative impact on soil quality and burning effect on crop plants
and can even affect human skin negatively.
2. Fertilizers are
potential pollutants
Nitrogenous
fertilizers, through surface runoff from farmlands can enter into water bodies
after rains, thereby causing toxic algal blooms in such water bodies as rivers,
lakes, ponds, et cetera due eutrophication. Chemical fertilizers, depending on
type and concentration, usually contain toxins that can be destructive to the
soil, especially under poor management system. The chemicals can also be
poisonous to humans, wildlife and aquatic lives. Fertilizers can also leach
through soil into groundwater, making it very harmful to the surrounding
environment.
3. Results in depleted
soils
Synthetic
fertilizers typically only supply N, P and K, but do not supply most other nutrients
to the soil. Consequently, the soil that is continuously used for growing crops
with given chemical fertilizers is being depleted, over time, and the food
crops may also be nutritionally deficient.
This
explains why, over the last century, some soils in many parts of the world,
become so depleted that many food items became significantly deficient in many
such vital nutrients as Mg, as the soil is mostly not been replenished any
nutrient other than the N, P and K.
4. Interfering with natural
soil ecology
In
addition to the role of heavy tillage practice of agriculture in disrupting the
delicately balanced soil ecosystem, consistent application of chemical
fertilizers to crops can also retard the growth of many beneficial soil
organisms and even kill others. Without a healthy soil ecology having
appropriate texture and structure, soil moisture will not be well retained and
this will lead to a reduced resilience to drought. Crop health will also be at
stake as unhealthy soil always leads to plants to be more exposed to more pests
and diseases.
5. Chemical fertilizers are
like steroids for plants
Fertilizers
provide plant-available nutrients for crops‟ growth; as a consequence, however,
the crops can over grow to an extent that their roots cannot sustain. This can
result in weaker plants that are further more vulnerable on their own to pests
and diseases organisms.
Organic
fertilizers are made from natural and organic materials—mainly manure, compost,
or other animal and plant products. Organic fertilizers tend to work slowly and
over the long-term. It can help to build up your soil over time.
One
of the best benefits of organic fertilizers is that is can be made at home
using compost. Inorganic fertilizers are made of up chemical components that
contain necessary nutrients, hence may be referred to as chemical or synthetic
fertilizers.
Inorganic
fertilizers work faster because it is already in a mineralized for which make
it easy for plants to pick it up.
Organic
fertilizers are those fertilizers that can be used in organic farming, and are
derived from animal matter, animal excreta, human excreta and vegetable matter,
according to some international standards.
Inorganic
fertilizers are made of up chemical components that contain necessary
nutrients, hence may be referred to as chemical or synthetic fertilizers.
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