The Advantages of Organic Fertilizers Over Chemical Fertilizers  (2024)

FAQs

What are the advantages of organic fertilizer over chemical fertilizer? ›

Organic fertilizers are less concentrated than synthetic fertilizers and are therefore much safer to use. Organic fertilizers are ecological, environmentally friendly and non-toxic in nature, making them the best fertilizers for plants and crops in greenhouse farming.

But organic fertilizers have advantages. They don't make a crust on the soil as inorganic fertilizers sometimes do. They improve water movement into the soil and, in time, add structure to the soil. Organics feed beneficial microbes, making the soil easier to work.

Although organic fertilizer can be more costly than synthetic, it can reduce the need for pesticides and the overall nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium requirements. Because of the reductions, organic fertilizer can be cost neutral and sometimes a cost savings.

Reasons to choose organic fertilizer over synthetic

Instead of adding the chemicals in fertilizer that were synthetically produced, which in turn gets into our water systems, you're simply adding plant and animal-based nutrients that are biodegradable and much safer than chemicals.

Organic manure improves the texture of the soil by not altering the pH of the soil. It has more moisture and organic content. Organic manure is usually derived from animal matter, animal and human excreta, and vegetative matter (e.g. compost and crop residues). As a result, it causes less damage to the environment.

Organic fertilizers are naturally available mineral sources that contain moderate amount of plant essential nutrients. They are capable of mitigating problems associated with synthetic fertilizers. They reduce the necessity of repeated application of synthetic fertilizers to maintain soil fertility.

Their major advantage is adding bulk to the soil. Except for manure, the organics generally release their nutrients over a fairly long period. However, the potential drawback is that they may not release enough of their principal nutrient at a time to give a plant what it needs for best growth.

Organically grown crops tend to use natural fertilizers like manure to improve plant growth. Animals raised organically are not given antibiotics or hormones. Organic farming tends to improve soil quality and the conservation of groundwater. It also reduces pollution and may be better for the environment.

Compared with conventional agriculture, organic farming uses fewer pesticides, reduces soil erosion, decreases nitrate leaching into groundwater and surface water, and recycles animal wastes back into the farm. These benefits are counterbalanced by higher food costs for consumers and generally lower yields.

What are the 10 benefits of organic farming? ›

Organic foods often have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their conventionally-grown counterparts and people with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives may find their symptoms lessen or go away when they eat only organic foods. Organic produce contains fewer pesticides.

Examples of naturally occurring organic fertilizers include manure, slurry, worm castings, peat, seaweed and guano. Green manure crops are also grown to add nutrients to the soil. Naturally occurring minerals such as mine rock phosphate, sulfate of potash and limestone are also considered Organic Fertilizers.

These encourage soil fauna and flora, improving soil formation and structure and creating more stable systems. In turn, nutrient and energy cycling is increased and the retentive abilities of the soil for nutrients and water are enhanced, compensating for the non-use of mineral fertilizers.

A chemical fertilizer is defined as any inorganic material of wholly or partially synthetic origin that is added to soil to sustain plant growth. Organic fertilizers are substances that are derived from the remains or byproducts of natural organisms which contain the essential nutrients for plant growth.

Organic fertilizers release nutrients as they break down, improving the soil and its ability to hold water and nutrients. Given time, they make your soil and plants healthier and hardier.

ORGANIC MATTER INCREASES THE AVAILABILITY OF NUTRIENTS …

Organic molecules are produced that hold and protect a number of micronutrients, such as zinc and iron. Some organisms make mineral forms of phosphorus more soluble while others fix nitrogen, which converts it into forms that other organisms or plants may use.

Organic fertilizers are fertilizers that are naturally produced. Fertilizers are materials that can be added to soil or plants, in order to provide nutrients and sustain growth.

Organic farming is widely considered to be a far more sustainable alternative when it comes to food production. The lack of pesticides and wider variety of plants enhances biodiversity and results in better soil quality and reduced pollution from fertilizer or pesticide run-off.

Organic Food and Sustainability

Producing food without chemical pesticides has a lot of benefits. Organic systems have been shown to produce 40% higher yields in times of drought, use 45% less energy, and release 40% fewer carbon emissions than conventional farming methods (Rodale Institute).

What are 2 positives about organic farming? ›

Organic farming yields such vital benefits as preservation of soil's organic composition. Organic farmers utilize practices that: Maintain and improve fertility, soil structure and biodiversity, and reduce erosion. Reduce the risks of human, animal, and environmental exposure to toxic materials.

Increasing levels of organic matter aid in soil structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient mineralization, biological activity, and water and air infiltration rates.

The Effects

Conventional agriculture causes increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, water pollution, and threatens human health. Organic farming has a smaller carbon footprint, conserves and builds soil health, replenishes natural ecosystems for cleaner water and air, all without toxic pesticide residues.

Organic fertilizers increase microbial activity in the soil, causing increased nutrient mineralization rates for the benefit of crops. They stimulate the activities of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria [17] and arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi that form networks of root extension for extensive nutrient availability to crops.

Correct amount applications of inorganic fertilizer can increase soil organic matter through higher levels of root mass and crop residues [8] [24] [26] [28] .

High-quality organic fertilizers are the products of natural decomposition and are easy for plants to digest. Made from natural sources, organic fertilizers provide garden plants with slow-release, consistent nourishment. Such a “health food" diet makes your plants strong and self-sustaining.

Commonly used organic fertilizers include composted animal manure, compost, sewage sludge, food processing wastes, and municipal biosolids. They improve soil health and release nutrients to soils gradually.

An organic fertilizer is a soil amendment produced from plant materials and/or animal manures containing low levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and some residues of micronutrients compared with synthetic chemical fertilizers.

Organic fertilizers release nutrients into the soil slowly. Synthetic fertilizers tend to release nutrients too quickly, which leads to fertilizer burns. By slowly releasing nutrients into the soil, the plants could absorb all the nutrients they need to grow without stressing out or over-fertilizing the crops.

What is the difference between chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer? ›

A Chemical fertiliser is defined as any inorganic material of wholly or partially synthetic origin that is added to soil to sustain plant growth. Organic fertilisers are substances that are derived from the remains or byproducts of natural organisms which contain the essential nutrients for plant growth.

Organic fertilizers are naturally available mineral sources that contain moderate amount of plant essential nutrients. They are capable of mitigating problems associated with synthetic fertilizers. They reduce the necessity of repeated application of synthetic fertilizers to maintain soil fertility.

Compared with conventional agriculture, organic farming uses fewer pesticides, reduces soil erosion, decreases nitrate leaching into groundwater and surface water, and recycles animal wastes back into the farm. These benefits are counterbalanced by higher food costs for consumers and generally lower yields.