The
organic class of fertilizers (again, in very basic terms) tends to be
less refined and involve little or no chemical processing. Also, the
natural environment tends to have an easier time of breaking down and
absorbing them. However, a few types can and do pollute ground water and
other water systems. Animal manure (cow, chicken) can cause many
problems if used improperly.
Manure is a highly concentrated source of nitrogen, which is easily
released when exposed to rain or other forms of irrigation. Excess
nitrogen and phosphorous have proven to be major problems when released
into our waterways and other water sources.
One benefit of using an organic "fert" is an increase in the
biological activities in the soil. Micro-organism's within the soil help
plants convert nutrients into food and help to break down old plant
material which adds to the over all health of the soil and garden.
Chemical products in general do not offer this benefit which is one of
the complaints from the proponents of organic style gardening.
With the rise in popularity of organic style gardening there is a risk
of misusing this class of fertilizer as well. To say that an organic
product is completely safe and leave it at that is to not really
understand the question of fertilizers in general.
Vermi compost
Vermicompost (also known as worm compost, vermicast, worm castings,
worm humus or worm manure) is the end-product of the breakdown of
organic matter by some species of earthworm. It is a nutrient-rich,
natural fertilizer and soil conditioner. In fact, vermin compost has
been emerging as an important source in supplementing/substituting
chemical fertilizers in agriculture. It has also been reported to
enhance plants ability to fight against insect pests and diseases. It
also improves soil structure due to presence of soil binding chemicals.
It improves physical properties of the soil like soil air, soil
temperature, soil water retention and soil mechanical impedance. Due to
non-presence of toxic enzymes it is also eco-friendly and it also has
beneficial effect on the bio chemical activities of the soil.
Press mud compost
Press Mud is a by-product of sugar industry. For every tone of Sugar
Cane approximately 30 to 40 kg Press Mud is produced. Press Mud is used
as manure in the sugarcane fields. Press mud contains trace quantity of
micro nutrients and prevents soil erosion, crusting and cracking, adjust
soil pH, improves drainage and promotes normal bacterial and microbial
growth in the soil. It is used as both soil reclamant as well as soil
conditioner. Press mud is the most economic soil reclamant for red loamy
soil. It should be broadcasted followed by ploughing and irrigation.
Bone meal
Bone meal is used as a high phosphorus fertilizer. It has a tiny amount
of Nitrogen ('N') as well as Calcium ('Ca') and a speck of Potassium
('K'). It supports strong flowers and roots. Most of the bones used in
bone meal come from packing and slaughter houses. Root crops benefit
from phophorus which is supplied in abundance by this fertilizer. You
can mix Bone Meal into the soil of any shrub, flowering or not. It is
important to mix it into the soil because the nutrients cannot travel
far to the roots; mixing it in will make that journey shorter and
disperse the Bone Meal better.
