Fertilizers have been in use since the beginning of farming itself, first it was manure and compost, then chemical fertilizers and currently, both are utilized depending on your form of farming. Normal farmers still rely on chemical fertilizers not realizing that the same supplements are poison to their food. Organic farmers on the other hand, utilize natural methods such s the use of compost and green manures. Organic gardeners may involve the use of other natural supplements to provide the necessary minerals to their soil. Apart from insects, you will need the insects, so even as you control them, consider using a bug hotelto encourage beneficial insects in the garden.
A chemical fertilizer is defined as an inorganic/ synthetic component wholly or partially that is added to soil to promote crop growth and reminarization of soil. Organic fertilizers are a byproduct or remain of natural organisms such s animals and plants that promotes growth. Gardens and especially gardens are an aesthetic addition to your home as they improve its serenity. Of course, in such a garden, sometimes pests/ insects and weeds increase greatly in number; the best choice is control-using traps such as using a wasp trap and building an outdoor hutch with the help of good rabbit hutch plans to hold your pet rabbits, that can be fed using the weeds. Research has shown that even though chemical fertilizers are fast, they have long lasting effects on quality of the food and poisons the soil leading to pollution.
In order to understand the role of fertilizers in gardening we must understand the importance of soil in plant growth. It is important to understand the need to add manure to your soil as gardening continues.
1. Healthy soil contains organic matter on which soil organisms feed, thus breaking down the matter into particles that are small enough to be absorbed by plant roots
2. That organic matter gives soil the ability to hold, or store, nutrients for future plant use
3. The broken down organic matter allows gradual water drainage and proper water retention which allows plant roots to absorb water and water-soluble nutrients at their own pace
Sourced from: http://www.growinganything.com/organic-garden-fertilizers.html
Organic fertilizers have merits and demerits just like in chemical fertilizers. The gardener has to choice the option that reduces the demerits and increases the merits. The main advantages re as allows:
In addition to releasing nutrients, as organic fertilizers break down, they improve the structure of the soil and increase its ability to hold water and nutrients. Over time, organic fertilizers will make your soil–and plants–healthy and strong.
Since they are the ultimate slow-release fertilizers, it’s very difficult to over fertilize (and harm) your plants.
There’s little to no risk of toxic buildups of chemicals and salts that can be deadly to plants.
Organic fertilizers are renewable, biodegradable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.
Although rather expensive in packages, you can make your own organic fertilizer by composting or find inexpensive sources—such as local dairy farms—that may sell composted manure.
Organic fertilizers have demerits just like any other components regardless of its immense benefits. However, the number of merits outweighs the demerits in all scenarios.
Microorganisms are required to break down and release nutrients into the soil. Since they need warmth and moisture to do their job, the effectiveness of organic fertilizer is limited seasonally. The good news is that these microorganisms obtain energy from decaying plant and animal matter, so an application of organic fertilizer provides a complete package of nutrients for your soil.
Sourced from: http://www.todayshomeowner.com/debate-over-organic-chemical-fertilizers/
A chemical fertilizer just like any other component in life has its advantages and disadvantages. It is the farmer’s job to weigh the two and come up with the better choice. The advantages are as follows:
Chemical fertilizers are made with synthetic ingredients designed to stimulate plant growth. Commercial chemical fertilizers have the advantage of predictability and reliability. Formulations are blended with accuracy and you can buy different blends for different types of plants. Commercial chemical fertilizers contain a balanced distribution of the three main essential nutrients needed for optimum plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Many formulas also contain iron, sulfur and cooper. The amounts of the three main ingredients are listed in that order, by percentage, on commercial fertilizer labels as the N-P-K ratio. Percentages of trace minerals are not always listed. Commercial formulated fertilizers allow you to know exactly which nutrients you’re giving your plants, rather than guessing at the composition of organic formulas.
Sourced from: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/advantages-disadvantages-natural-chemical-fertlilzers-30247.html
The demerits of using chemical fertilizers are immense and extensive in nature and farming. The problem is that it affects the quality of soil, crops, and the environment.
• The fertilizers are primarily produced from non-renewable sources and thus they are not environmentally friendly.
• While the fertilizers help a plant to grow, they do not do much for the soil. They do not help to improve the health or structure of the soil. Hence, when chemical fertilizers are used for prolonged duration, the soil is damaged as the trace nutrients are not replenished in the soil.
• The nutrients from the chemical fertilizers are easily and quickly available for the plants. However, it is this same quality of the fertilizers that make them harmful, as there is a risk of over-fertilizing the plants, which can cause the plants to die and end up causing an imbalance in the ecosystem.
• Repeated use of chemical fertilizers causes toxic chemicals, like cadmium, arsenic and uranium, to build up in the soil. These toxic chemical can ultimately find their way into the fruits and vegetables that a person grows
• Using chemical fertilizers for a prolonged period of time upsets the pH of the soil, causes an increase in pests and does away with the beneficial microbes present in the soil.
Sourced From: http://www.rocketswag.com/gardening/Fertilizer/chemical-fertilizer/Disadvantages-Of-Chemical-Fertilizers.html