Organic fertilizer

     Organic fertilizers are fertilizers derived from animal or vegetable matter.Organic systems: Long-term solutions and ecological approach Preventive not reactive

     Work within natural systems and cycles

     Maintain or increase long-term soil fertility

     Use renewable resources as much as possible

     Management of soil organic matter (OM)

     Rotation design for nutrient cycling

Advantages and Disadvantages of Organic Fertilizers

Advantages

      Mild, non-caustic materials

      Slow release makes them available for longer time

      If high OM content = improvements in soil physical properties

      Sources of many essential elements

      Recycling of materials

Disadvantages

      Low concentration of nutrients = large application

      Slow release may not supply plant’s immediate needs

      Concentration may be too low to supply plant’s needs

      Expense

Soil Organic Matter (SOM

      Organic matter will prevent deterioration of the physical properties of the soil by serving as an energy source (i.e. food) for microorganisms which promote stable aggregation of the soil particles.

      Essential nutrients are obtained by plants as organic matter decomposes

Using Organic Amendments to Improve Fertility

v  Organic amendments increase OM content in soil

v  OM increases CEC, increasing OM supplies plant nutrients

v  OM improves buffering capacity (stabilizes pH)

v  OM promotes/aides beneficial microbial populations nutrient storage capabilities

 

Types of Organic Amendments:Animal Manure, Cover Crops, Crop residues, Yard debris, Biosolids