Tools for Healthy Vegetation

While many horticulturists and agriculturists have made the switch from chemical to organic fertilizers, there are still some who are skeptical of the benefits of organic fertilizers. Since organic fertilizers are known to release nutrients more slowly into the soil, there are doubts on whether they can help grow strong, healthy plants.

Almost all plants need some major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. In addition they need certain other elements as well, like sulfur, calcium and magnesium. Elements like iron, zinc, copper, and manganese are needed in relatively low quantities.

Fertile soil contains all the elements in plenty including the essential nutrients. However, if the soil is not that fertile, then one needs to provide extra supplements to the soil through fertilizers. Most fertilizers will mention the NKP ratio on their packages. While one could use either chemical or organic fertilizers for providing these nutrients, studies have indicated that organic fertilizers go a long way in ensuring the growth of healthy vegetation and soil health.

There is a saying that goes, ‘Feed the soil and the soil will feed the plants’. Chemical fertilizers are produced such that they produce instant nutrients for the plants to absorb. The nutrients are in ready to use form and once the fertilizer is mixed into the soil, the roots can easily absorb these nutrients. However, chemical fertilizers provide almost no other benefit to the soil and after years of use, the soil can get extensively damaged. Further, a ready availability of such high quantity of nutrients also raises fears that plants may absorb too much, causing them to burn up.

On the other hand, organic fertilizers do not contain the nutrients in ready form. When they are mixed into the soil, the microorganisms in the soil need to break up the fertilizer into its component nutrients. This ensures that the nutrients are released slowly into the soil. This helps the growth of healthy vegetation in the following manner –

1. Organic fertilizers ensure that there is increased activity of microbes in the soil ensuring long term fertility.
2. The slow release of nutrients ensures that plants absorb only as many nutrients as needed and there is never any real danger of over absorption.
3. Finally, organic fertilizers spread the nutrients deep and across the soil compelling the roots to spread deep and wide. This ensures the there is no weed growth, and plants grow healthier and stronger.
4. Organic fertilizers also help in improving the soil structure. The organic matter in the fertilizers increases the water and nutrient holding capacities in sandy soil. Heavy clay soil is made workable by the addition of organic fertilizers.
5. Even fast growing plants like vegetables that need a lot of these nutrients can benefit tremendously from organic fertilizers, served in the form of foliar or liquid fertilizers.

Even though organic fertilizers do not provide nutrients as quickly as chemical fertilizers, over the long term they provide more healthy vegetation and a healthier environment.