According to the US Department of Agriculture USDA, the demand for natural and synthetic fertilizers continues to rise. Even so, it is challenging for many farmers to figure out the differences between these two main types of fertilizers and establish the best option for their farms.
This article unveils the top differences between organic and artificial fertilizers.
What are Fertilizers?
Fertilizers are products applied directly to the soil or the plant to increase crop production. They provide essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. There are two main categories of fertilizers namely; natural and synthetic fertilizers.
Natural Fertilizers
Natural fertilizers are extracted from organic materials. They are sourced either from plants or animal products. Natural fertilizers include livestock manure, agricultural leftovers, organic industrial wastes, and municipal sewage sludge. Examples of organic fertilizers are compost, animal manure, and the bone meal just to mention a few.
Synthetic Fertilizers
Synthetic fertilizers (also known as artificial, chemical, or inorganic fertilizers) are those synthesized chemically using mineral extracts such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfate, and potassium. Ideally, chemical fertilizers are concentrates of primary minerals. Examples of chemical fertilizers are calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), diammonium phosphate (DAP), ammonium sulfate, and urea.
Differences Between Natural and Synthetic Fertilizers
Although both natural and synthetic fertilizers are meant to enrich the soil and subsequently increase crop production, they differ in several ways.
Soil structure
On one hand, organic matter found in natural fertilizers improves soil structure and texture. This enables the farm soil to retain water and nutrients for a long time. Besides, organic fertilizers have unequal distribution of nutrients and release them slowly. So, these fertilizers cannot be used as quick fixes to soil problems. However, such properties help reduce the possibility of over-fertilization.
On the other hand, chemical fertilizers provide balanced distribution of nutrients and can be used as instant remedies to fertility issues. In fact, the biggest difference between inorganic and natural fertilizers is that synthetics are short-term solutions and do not improve the long-term health, structure, and texture of your farm soil as organic ones do.
Safety
There are a few safety concerns associated with natural fertilizers. But, the application of synthetic fertilizers should be done with a lot of care and keenness. It can cause leaf scorch if not done correctly.
For instance, while some fertilizers will burn your crop when they come in contact, others will suck water from crop roots making the plant wither. Furthermore, over-application and prolonged use of synthetic fertilizers can acidify your farm soil and reduce crop yields. Besides, excess chemical fertilizers are easily washed into water bodies disrupting aquatic life.
Cost
Generally, natural fertilizers are more expensive than their chemical counterparts. However, this is only true for those with short-term farming goals. In the long run, synthetic fertilizers interfere with soil structure and alkalinity, and microbial activity and deplete other important minerals such as magnesium and calcium. As a result, it is even more expensive to repair the damages of chemical fertilizers. Indeed, when your soil is used to synthetic fertilizers, it can barely yield much without fertilization.
On the other hand, the global demand for fertilizers has risen causing a surge in prices. Initially, China, India, the US, and Brazil accounted for over half the global fertilizer usage. But the international fertilizer association IFA reports an increase in demand for fertilizer from the rest of the world. Further, factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, the high cost of inputs, and export sanctions have disrupted the global supply chain leading to price increases.
The USDA reports that the surging global fertilizer prices are a heavy burden on producers across the world. Indeed, the situation has compelled some farmers to lower their usage of fertilizers. Others have reduced the acreage for grain because they require much nitrogen fertilization to produce. In general, the high price of fertilizers has contributed to the shortage of grain, especially in developing countries, and is a threat to global food security.
Best Fertilizer for Your Farm
The best fertilizer for your farm will depend on various factors including crop, soil nutrient deficiencies, and your objectives. You will have to weigh the merits and demerits of the two types of fertilizers. A good trick will be to use natural ones and supplement them with synthetic fertilizers.