Establishing healthy soil is the key to successful growing. That's why it's important to compare different types of fertilizers. In this article, we take a closer look at the difference between chemical and organic fertilizers.
Chemical Fertilizer
Fertilizers are fertilizers composed of non-organic cultivation elements that stimulate the growth of crops. They are composed of artificially extracted chemical nutrients. Chemical fertilizers are uniform and constant in composition and work faster than organic fertilizers because they dissolve in water almost immediately. However, they work for a short period of time. That's why they don't provide the plants with the necessary nutrients for a long time. Also, no organic matter is added to the soil so it does not enrich or stimulate soil life. Because chemical fertilizers are high in salt, they absorb moisture from the soil.
Organic Fertilizer
If you want to grow your crops more sustainably, organic fertilizers can make a difference. They have several advantages over chemical fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials derived from animal or plant material. Therefore, this fertilizer is more environmentally friendly, but it also takes longer for the nutrients of these fertilizers to reach the plants. This may seem like a disadvantage, but due to the gradual release of nutrients, the risk of over-fertilizing is very small compared to chemical fertilizers.
Organic fertilizers enhance the natural processes in the land that provide nutrients not only to plants but also to the soil. This creates multifunctional soil life, making plants visibly more vigorous and resilient. Organic fertilizers also focus on preventive protection of plants. Resistance to pests and diseases increases naturally.
Benefits of Organic Fertilizers
✔️ Organic fertilizers ensure the soil structure is breathable
✔️ Use organic fertilizers to make the soil healthier and more fertile
✔️ Organic fertilizers can effectively use crops longer than chemical fertilizers
✔️ Organic Fertilizers - Unlike Chemical Fertilizers - No Sodium (Salt)
The Importance of Good Healthy Soil
Soil is the basis for high-yield and high-quality crops.
The chemical, biological and physical properties of soil determine the conditions for plant growth: the availability of nutrients, water and air, and the suppression of plant diseases. Good soil makes it easier for crops to grow, resulting in more and better crops.
However, soil quality is under pressure. Over-reuse of land and a reduction in crop varieties lead to increased risks of soil-borne pests and diseases. Heavy mechanisation, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, and late harvests in harsh conditions have damaged the soil structure. Inadequate supply of organic matter can lead to shortages of important (micro)nutrients, leading to reduced soil fertility. This will affect crop growth.
Soil improvement methods, especially organic matter management and the prevention and elimination of structural problems, require short-term investments, but these measures will pay off in the long run. Several methods are mentioned:
- Better water management, which allows for better water retention and reduces the need for irrigation
- Prevents nutrient loss by increasing the retention capacity of the soil and allowing plants to root optimally for better nutrient uptake
- Better soil structure ensures undisturbed root growth and requires less energy to till
- Richer soil life increases plant disease resilience and reduces stress during crop growth.
Organic - reduces abiotic stress
Amino acids
When a crop goes through a stressful period, for example due to drought or cold, or immediately after spraying a herbicide or fungicide, the crop will respond to this with a stress response. The stress response requires the production of new proteins and thus requires large amounts of amino acids and energy. Studies have shown that when amino acids are provided (foliar application) to crops under the effects of stress, these amino acids can be used directly by the crops to produce proteins. As a result, crops need to spend less energy on stress responses, resulting in less growth delay and yield loss.
Has a balanced composition of 20 important amino acids and other organic ingredients for crop preparation or recovery from stressful situations.
Plants experience abiotic stresses during cultivation. The better prepared the crop is for this, the less yield loss will result.
