Organic fertilizers

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.

They gradually release nutrients into the soil solution and maintain nutrient balance for healthy growth of crop plants. They also act as an effective energy source of soil microbes which in turn improve soil structure and crop growth. Organic fertilizers are generally thought to be slow releasing fertilizers and they contain many trace elements. They are safer alternatives to chemical fertilizers. However, the improper use of organic fertilizers leads to overfertilization or nutrient deficiency in the soil. Hence, controlled release of organic fertilizers is an effective and advanced way to overcome these impacts and maintain sustainable agriculture yield.

An organic fertilizers using citrus waste bear the potential to enrich soil quality via the addition of nutrient components and by maintaining pH, thus enriching the soil with beneficial microbes. Microbial action in turn digests complex biomolecules into simpler ones, which may allow easier uptake by plants reported faster growth of lettuce while using orange pulp and peel as fertilizer compared to the control. Dry orange waste exhibits the same effects as mineral fertilizers and has been associated with positive effects on soil In Valencia orange production utilization of organic fertilization with industrial orange wastes improved the nutritional status, fruit set, and yield of fruits

The sources of organic fertilizer , including organic compost, cattle manures, poultry droppings and domestic sewage. A wide variety of organic fertilizers, including poultry manure, cattle manure, domestic sewage (sludge), green manure and composted agricultural wastes, are currently in use in tilapia pond fertilization. Organic manures enhance secondary production in fish ponds more than inorganic fertilizers. This is mainly because the organic matters in these manures stimulate heterotrophic bacteria, and, in turn, enhance the decomposition of organic matters in the pond. Manure form the garden comes from cow, sheep, poultry and horses. Pretty self-explanatory. Manure is known as a “complete” fertilizer; it has a lot of organic matter, but is low in nutrients. Manures are most valuable as organic soil amendments and mulches. Note: Beware of using fresh manure as a fertilizer because it can burn plants.

The major benefit of organic fertilizers is that they work slowly. They need to be broken down by soil organisms in order for their nutrients to be released and that takes time. Because they work slowly, nothing is wasted. They are consumed as they are released, unlike chemical fertilizers, which are released immediately into the soil.