What is the difference between organic substances and inorganic substances. What is the difference between organic and mineral fertilizers

If the word “products” refers to food, then it seems that ideally they should be organic. But on modern level life is not so simple. Synthetic products have become so firmly entrenched in our lives that the following concepts have emerged: organic products, eco- and bioproducts, organic food. Let's figure out together what it is.

How are organic products grown?

We present to your attention a number of requirements that must be met at the initial stage of agricultural work to obtain eco-products:

  1. Growing crops must be done in ecologically clean areas. This means that the fields where these agricultural products are grown must be located away from highways, large industrial enterprises, landfills and other objects that pollute the environment.
  2. Land for growing plants that can later be certified as organic products must not be treated with synthetic fertilizers or other agrochemical methods for at least 3 years.
  3. For sowing, it is necessary to use clean seeds that have not been subjected to genetically modified processing.

At first glance, it seems that all of the above 3 points are easily achievable. But this is far from true. Many modern agricultural lands are tightly encircled by large industrial centers. And in order to grow organic food products, it is necessary to develop new acreage, remote from objects that pollute the environment.

Clean seed material has also become sufficient big problem. It is very difficult to determine the degree of purity of seeds without laboratory analysis. This is almost impossible to do. Nevertheless, it seems that humanity has woken up and finally wondered what we eat? And the fact that the concept of organic products appeared means that these thoughts have moved us from the dead point of thoughtless consumption of everything that unscrupulous producers offer us.

What processed products can be classified as bioproducts?

Of course, it’s great to eat vegetables straight from your own garden bed, without subjecting them to any or only minimal heat treatment. This is good, but not available to everyone. Society is largely urbanized, and many do not have their own garden.

Is there organic food in supermarkets? And in general, eco-products – what are they? If we talk about processed food, then organic products are those that contain at least 95% of ingredients produced in an organically certified way. Let us list the main features of eco-products:

  1. Do not contain synthetic dyes, flavors, thickeners, or flavor enhancers.
  2. Produced without the use of harmful technologies (gassing, chemical preservation, atomic fission, radiation exposure, etc.)
  3. Almost all of the ingredients that make up the processed product are organic and responsibly grown.

Who certifies eco-products?

In the world there is the International Federation of Ecological Agricultural Movement (IFOAM), created in 1972. It includes 760 organizations from 100 countries. There are basic IFOAM standards, developed over the years, according to which food products are or are not assigned organic status. There are also a number of principles that guide IFOAM in its activities:

  1. The principle of health - the entire ecosystem of the earth should be healthy, including humans, as its integral component.
  2. The principle of justice is a fair and careful attitude towards the land, nature, animals and people.
  3. The principle of care is that the production of agricultural products should not deplete the soil; one should think about subsequent generations and leave them a legacy of fertile and well-groomed soil, and not a desert.
  4. The principle of environmental friendliness - organic agriculture works taking into account natural cycles, without disturbing or introducing dissonance into nature, but, on the contrary, preserving and improving the environment.

Based on these principles and standards, enterprises and organizations engaged in the production of environmentally friendly food and applying for a distinctive mark for organic products are awarded such a mark after checking the production conditions. This is very honorable and beneficial for anyone trademark become the owner of the ORGANIC FARMING mark if the product is produced in EU countries, or the USDA ORGANIC mark if it is produced in the USA. However, eco-food produced in EU countries may also bear the national mark of the country of origin. Japan has also introduced standards for the production of organic agricultural products and also assigns its mark to the worthy.

Pricing policy of enterprises producing eco-products

In the EU countries and the USA, the price of bioproducts is higher than the prices of regular products by 40-60%. This is due to a number of objective reasons:

  1. Processing fields without herbicides and pesticides requires additional labor, which affects the price of the eco-product.
  2. Without chemical treatment the ripening period increases and the storage period decreases, which also requires a lot of costs and effort to preserve and timely delivery of the organic product to the distribution network.
  3. The process of certification of fields, seeds, and products is not only complex and lengthy, but also quite expensive, which also affects the final price of organic products.

To the credit of the governments of the EU and US countries, it should be noted that they, understanding the importance and prospects of organic farming, allocate government subsidies to support farmers and buyers. Otherwise, the price of organic food would be even higher. Unfortunately, in the post-Soviet space there are not only no government subsidies for the development of organic farming, but even no standards defining environmental cleanliness one or another product.

So organic food is delivered from countries where there is less cultivated area, but there is a desire to grow organically. pure product more. Taking into account the costs of delivery and customs, these products are no longer 40-60% more expensive, but 300-500%.

On the territory of the post-Soviet countries, labeling food products “bio”, “eco”, “natur” does not carry any semantic meaning, but can only be considered as a marketing ploy. Therefore, it is quite difficult to find real eco-products from a domestic manufacturer.

True, there is another wonderful source of organic products. These are agricultural products grown in gardens at summer cottages and rural plots for one’s own use, which means without toxic chemicals. The surplus of such products is exported to markets and is worthy of our attention and nutrition. And even if these products do not please the eye with their fake beauty, their price is affordable, and the benefits from them are greater than from vegetables with a metallic taste brought from abroad.

In chemistry, it is traditional to distinguish 2 types of substances - organic and inorganic. What is their specificity?

What are organic substances?

The concept " organic matter"in chemistry corresponds to compounds that are mostly characterized by:

  1. relatively complex molecular structure;
  2. low melting temperatures;
  3. degradability when exposed to high temperatures (with the formation in many cases carbon dioxide and water);
  4. the presence of carbon and hydrogen in molecules;
  5. in many cases - very high molecular weight;
  6. biological origin.

Common organic substances are proteins, carbohydrates, lipids. Total in modern chemistry About 18 million relevant compounds have been classified. According to researchers, it is precisely because of the presence in molecules organic matter carbon, such a huge variety of them is possible. Given chemical element capable of forming the widest range of bonds with other elements.

Mainly, only organic substances are characterized by isomerism - the formation of compounds with the same set of atoms in the molecules, but their different arrangements, as a result of which they are actually formed various substances in terms of physical and chemical properties.

Thus, the most common isomers are glucose and fructose. They consist of molecules with the same set of atoms, but with different arrangements. The basic properties of glucose and fructose are the same, but there are also quite a lot of differences between them, and therefore they are considered as 2 different substances.

What are inorganic substances?

The concept of “inorganic substances” in chemistry corresponds to compounds that are characterized, in turn:

  1. relatively simple molecular structure;
  2. in some cases - very high melting temperatures;
  3. in many cases - extremely difficult decomposition (for example, due to the initial simplicity of the structure);
  4. relatively small molecular weight.

Carbon and hydrogen are not present in all inorganic compounds. The relevant substances are not always of biological origin.

In modern chemistry, there are significantly fewer inorganic compounds classified than organic ones - about 100 thousand. Isomerism is not typical for these substances.

One of the most common inorganic substances in the world is water. Its molecule consists of oxygen and hydrogen atoms, which individually - as gases - can also be considered as inorganic substances. Other commonly encountered types of relevant substances are metals, salts, and various binary compounds.

Comparison

There is more than one difference between organic substances and inorganic ones. The difference between them can be seen in terms of:

  1. molecular structure;
  2. melting temperatures, decomposition;
  3. molecular weight;
  4. the presence of carbon and hydrogen in the molecule;
  5. origin.

The total number of inorganic substances - 100 thousand - is noticeably inferior to the number of organic substances - 18 million, if you follow the classifications common in modern chemistry.

Having determined what the difference is between organic and inorganic substances, we will reflect the conclusions in a small table.

Table

Organic matter Inorganic substances
Have a relatively complex molecular structureHave a relatively simple molecular structure
Characterized by a relatively low melting and decomposition temperatureIn many cases melt and decompose at very high temperatures
They usually have a high molecular weightTypically have a small molecular weight
In most cases, the molecules contain carbon and hydrogenMay not contain carbon and hydrogen in the molecules
Usually of natural originNot always of natural origin
Available in 18 million varietiesAvailable in 100 thousand varieties

Of course, you have seen in supermarkets milk cartons with a beautiful green “ECO” sticker or eggs in the hay with the inscription “100% organic”. Perhaps they even bought it. And more than once we wondered how such products differ from non-organic ones.

A study conducted by Stanford University researchers showed that in terms of their effect on human health, organic and inorganic products from the supermarket are practically no different from each other.

The main difference is the growing method

While many people believe that organically grown foods are more nutritious and contain more vitamins and minerals, this is not entirely true. The main difference between so-called “organic” and “non-organic” foods is the way they are grown.

Organic food is ordinary food grown in the old-fashioned way without the use of synthetic pesticides, growth regulators and any other chemicals.

Non-organic foods can sometimes be even more nutritious than organic foods.

It seems that if you eat a banana with an “ECO” sticker on it, you will immediately feel thousands of nutrients flowing through your body. But a regular banana won't give you as much benefit. But when it comes to nutritional value, non-organic foods sometimes even outperform organic ones. After all, extra beta-carotene is often added to regular rice, milk is fortified with vitamin D, and fruit juices are fortified with calcium. Adding anything to organic products is strictly prohibited.

Organic milk has more iron, phosphorus and vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids

But, firstly, this is a difference of several percent, and secondly, our body usually does not suffer from a deficiency of these substances.

Organic milk and meat also contain approximately 50% more omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial to humans. The tone of blood vessels, blood pressure, immunity and metabolism of the human body depend on them.

But even twice the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in milk is still too little to meet human needs. Therefore, even organic milk is significantly inferior in this regard to seafood or flax seeds.

Organic products contain fewer pesticides and microorganisms, but they are

Organic foods purchased at a significantly higher price than non-organic foods are 30% less likely to contain pesticides than non-organic foods. But they are still there. Just like GMOs. After all, the remnants of these “bad” substances can be in the seed, get on the fruit or vegetable with rain, or in some other way.

The amount of pathogenic microflora in “organic” can be the same as in “inorganic”. Although we must also take into account the integrity of Ukrainian “organic entrepreneurs” - after all, their grandfathers did not sterilize manure for fertilizer. That is, catch E. coli from you more chances specifically from organic products.

There are no objective reasons to choose only organic products yet. Organic loses at a high price, and sometimes even nutritional value. But most organic adherents claim that such products have a special taste and smell.


Currently, to generate high yields and maintain soil fertility, summer residents everywhere use available mineral fertilizers, which contain elements removed from the soil by the harvest. You need to know that fertilizers provide only a short-term increase in crop yields, while simultaneously reducing the amount of humus in the soil, that is, the natural fertility of the soil.

IN recent years The ranks of landowners who have switched to ecological farming are growing. The basis of ecology is in this case the use in everyday life of only natural products, the production of which is impossible without returning to Mother Earth those substances that were taken away by the harvest. A worthy substitute for “chemical well-being” are natural fertilizers - waste from animals that eat plant foods. Manure is such an organic fertilizer.

Mineral fertilizers are produced at chemical plants and, when applied to the soil, are a foreign substance for plants that must be converted into accessible form use.

  • To become available to plants, elements of nutrient salts must be converted into chelate form.
  • Mineral fertilizers contain only a narrow list necessary for plants chemical elements.
  • Fertilizers are applied to the soil taking into account its parameters and the needs of plants.
  • Mineral fertilizers do not contribute to the formation of humus, which reduces natural soil fertility.

Nutrients organic fertilizers are more accessible to plants, since they are a product of the vital activity of animals, and in the ecosystem it is its natural element. The only limitation in farming: due to improper agricultural practices, nitrites accumulate in fruits and vegetables. When processed, organic waste forms humus, which determines the level of soil fertility.

The following types of manure are obtained from animals:

  • cow (mullein);
  • horse;
  • pork;
  • bird (chicken);
  • rabbit;
  • sheep, etc.

Each type of manure has its own characteristics and composition, and differs in the duration of its effect on the soil.

Efficiency cow dung: it shows its greatest effectiveness within 2–3 years on light sandy and sandy loam soils and 4–6 years on heavy clay soils.

Bird droppings decomposes within a year. This is the fastest acting organic fertilizer. It is convenient to use in fertilizing. However, the concentration of bird droppings is so high that its use as fertilizer is possible only when diluted 10-12 times.

Horse manure– one of the best. Porous structure and rich chemical composition, high decomposition temperature, it is most effective when used in open ground and greenhouses. Due to mechanization agriculture the amount of horse manure on farms has decreased significantly. It has become less available than mullein.

Pig manure used by gardeners to a lesser extent. It contains a high nitrogen content (acrid ammonia odor), large number helminths. It cannot be used fresh. Usually mixed with horseweed, dolomite flour is added, composted for a year for natural disinfection (from helminths) and only then applied to the soil. Pig manure is good because it has a high decomposition temperature. In combination with horse compost, high-quality compost is obtained after a year of fermentation.

If necessary, use manure from other animals and birds to improve soil indicators and increase soil fertility.

Beneficial properties of manure

The basis of manure is the excrement of various animals mixed with bedding (straw, grass, sawdust and other plant debris). Based on the degree of decomposition, manure can be divided into 3 categories:

  • fresh manure, littered and without litter;
  • slurry;
  • half-rotted manure;
  • rotted manure, or humus.

Fresh manure without bedding, not diluted with water - thick, non-flowing, with the consistency of homemade sour cream (can be cut with a knife like butter).

Fresh bedding manure easily holds its given shape, mixed with straw or other materials (sawdust, small shavings).

Slurry has a less concentrated composition than fresh manure. Basically, this is a nitrogen-potassium liquid fertilizer, which is used for fertilizing all garden, berry and vegetable crops. To avoid burning the plants, the slurry is diluted in a ratio of 1:5-6. Apply after watering. Used for moistening when laying compost.

Semi-rotten is one that has lain under open air some time (3-6 months), partially dried and decomposed. The litter is rotten and crumbles easily in your hands. It is used as the main fertilizer for digging, especially on humus-depleted soils.

Humus is a completely rotted granular mass in which the individual components of litter and other inclusions are not visible. The most common natural fertilizer used by summer residents.

Humus content of nutrients and nitrogen, compared to fresh manure, is 2-3 times less, which allows it to be used directly during the growing season of plants for feeding.


Content of basic nutrients in manure

Manure contains components that provide nutrition to plants and improve physical and chemical properties soil, its structure. Being a source of organic matter, manure during fermentation forms humus compounds that increase the natural fertility of the soil.

Manure in any condition (fresh, semi-rotted, humus) is a source of macro- and microelements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, magnesium, boron, manganese, cobalt, copper, zinc, molybdenum. Active microorganisms in manure are the main source of energy for soil microflora.

All types of manure are different alkaline properties, the alkalinity indicator reaches pH = 8-9 units. In cow manure it is 8.1, in horse manure - 7.8, in pig manure - 7.9 units. Naturally, their application alkalizes the soil, reducing acidity. The content of basic nutrients is presented in the average indicators in Table 1.

Table 1. Chemical composition of the main types of manure and litter

Use of manure.

Unlike mineral fertilizers, the nutrient content in organic fertilizers is much lower, but organics improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil, loosen it, increase absorption capacity, enrich it with beneficial microflora, and provide plants with the necessary nutrients in an accessible, easily digestible form.

Table 2. Manure application rate

Rules for using fresh manure

Since fresh manure is the most concentrated fertilizer, it is applied to the soil in autumn and winter on a field free of fruit and vegetable plants. They are buried to a depth of 25-30, less often - up to 40 cm.

Spring application is provided only for medium and later cultures. For early crops, manure is applied only for autumn digging (Table 3).

Table 3. Frequency and rate of application of fresh cow manure

Culture Application rate, kg/m² area Frequency of application
Onion, cabbage, garlic 4-6 kg/m²
Cucumbers, zucchini, squash, pumpkins, melons 6-8 kg/m² From autumn or spring for digging
Late, medium and late varieties of white cabbage tomatoes 4-5 kg/m², for cabbage up to 6 kg/m² From autumn or spring for digging
Dill, celery 5-6 kg/m² From autumn or spring for digging
Carrots, potatoes, beets 4 kg/m² From autumn or spring for digging
Berry (currant, raspberry, gooseberry) Layer up to 5 cm Every year only in autumn
Pome and stone fruit crops Up to 3 kg for each tree In autumn at intervals of 2-3 years
Strawberries, wild strawberries 10 kg/m² between rows In autumn, once every 3 years
Grape Solution: 1 part mullein to 20 parts water In autumn, once every 2-4 years

In winter, fresh manure is spread on the snow. After the snow melts, it falls on the soil and is dug up in the spring. The planting depth is the same as in the fall.

The application rate for snow is 1.5 times higher. This is due to the fact that during the winter some nutrients are lost (nitrogen). Usually, manure is left in a pile for 2-3 months before application. During this period from high temperature“Burning manure” kills some of the weed seeds. If manure from the barn immediately ends up on the field, then it is better to leave it fallow, destroying weeds in the summer.

Remember that any crops, especially vegetables, overfed with organic matter sharply reduce their shelf life. Vegetables and especially root crops are more often affected by root rot, and the incidence of late blight and powdery mildew increases. To avoid overfeeding the plants, use the data in Table 3.

Table 3. Volume of manure mass, kg/10 l bucket

Using fresh mullein for feeding

Mullein can be used to fertilize vegetable and garden crops during the summer season. For fertilizing, low-concentrated aqueous fermented solutions are used.

Preparation of the solution: any container (a galvanized barrel is more convenient) is filled 1/3 with manure, topped up with water, and closed. Stir once a day. Fermentation lasts 1-2 weeks. This is the mother liquor.

To feed berry fields and fruit trees, prepare a working solution: 1 bucket of mother liquor from the container is diluted 3-4 times with water. Fertilizing is carried out in the phase of young leaves. The working solution is applied after watering at the root at the rate of 10 liters of working solution per 1 m². Be sure to mulch.

For vegetable crops, the working solution is prepared at the rate of 8-10 liters of water per 1 liter of mother liquor. Fertilizing is carried out during watering or after watering under mulching, 1-2 times during the growing season, alternating with mineral fertilizers (if necessary).


Application of semi-rotted manure

Semi-rotted manure is less concentrated and can be used directly in fertilizing or as mulch.

For fertilizing, prepare a solution in a concentration of one part fertilizer to 10 parts water. Stir and apply to garden and berry crops.

Trees are watered along the outer diameter of the crown on loosened soil or in furrows cut in 1-2 rows around the crown.

Fertilizer is applied to the bushes at a distance of 15-20 cm from the bushes.

For vegetable crops, in the furrows between rows (if they are wide) or in furrows cut along the bed.

You cannot pour a solution of half-rotted mullein under the roots of plants.

Top dressing is covered with soil, if necessary, watered and mulched.

The semi-rotted mass is a good fertilizer for cabbage, pumpkin, and spinach. With this fertilizer, these crops will be excellent predecessors for root crops, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants.

Application of rotted manure

Formation of humus

Rotted manure, or humus, is the main source of humus in the soil. Humus is a homogeneous, free-flowing substance of dark brown color, with the spring smell of a healthy soil substrate. Formed by fermentation of manure under the influence of microorganisms. As a result, humus, humic acids and simpler mineral compounds are formed. The composition of the humus is light. 1 m³ contains 700-800 kg of humus. In a standard 10 liter bucket its quantity is 6-7 kg. Healthy ripe humus has no odor.


Properties of humus

Humus has the following agronomic properties:

  • improves soil porosity;
  • increases the ability to retain moisture;
  • enhances photosynthesis, thereby increasing crop yields;
  • activates the growth and development of plants;
  • increases resistance to diseases and pest damage;
  • populates the soil substrate with beneficial microflora;
  • reduces accumulation heavy metals in products;
  • improves the decorative effect of flower crops, etc.

How to prepare high-quality humus?

  • allocate a place in the shade for storing components;
  • fenced with improvised material so that the front wall is open;
  • the components are laid in layers, 10-15 cm apart; components – straw, straw cuttings, leaves, fresh and semi-rotted manure;
  • each layer is spilled with water or a diluted slurry, mullein solution;
  • cover the top with film or other material that does not allow water to pass through (from rain);
  • air access through vents is required for film covering;
  • periodically shovel and water in dry weather; humidity during fermentation is within 50-60%, temperature at +25...+30*C;
  • To speed up fermentation, it is recommended to soak the layers of components with preparations (Baikal EM-1, Ekomik Harozhny, Siyanie-3 and others).

If all requirements are met, mature humus can be obtained within 1-2 months.

In addition to the one proposed, there are other methods for quickly processing manure into humus or compost, which is also used to fertilize and feed garden crops. For example, vermicomposting using California worms, aerobic and anaerobic composting.

The use of humus in summer cottages

Humus is used for:

  • improving soil fertility;
  • fertilizers and fertilizing of agricultural crops during the growing season;
  • preparing soil mixtures for growing seedlings;
  • preparation of soil mixtures for indoor flower crops, etc.

Rules for using humus

Humus contains minimal ammonia residues, which do not damage the root system of plants. Therefore, humus can be applied as the main fertilizer or used in fertilizing during the warm season.

When preparing the soil for sowing/planting in the spring, humus in the recommended quantities is added to a 10-15 cm layer of soil for digging. On average, 10-15 kg of humus is used per 1 m² of area.

Humus is used for all crops as mulch, which, rotting during the summer, serves as an additional fertilizer for the plants being grown.

Humus is included in most soil mixtures for growing seedlings and flower crops. But if for seedlings the soil mixture can contain up to 50% humus, then a moderate amount of fertilizer is applied to flower bed crops. Excess humus can cause “fatification” of ageratum, eschscholzia, and cosmos. To the detriment of flowering, plants will increase vegetative mass.

For indoor plants The humus rate is up to 1/3 of the volume of the prepared substrate.

Raspberries and other shrubs can be mulched with a 5 cm layer of mulch from spring to July, without being buried in the soil.

In greenhouses, humus is applied to the beds (in addition to the main substrate) in the first year at the rate of 40-60 kg/m². In subsequent years, before changing the soil, 15-25 kg/m² are added annually.

In summer, humus is diluted with water for foliar and root feeding at the rate of no more than 1 part per 10-15 parts of water.

Humus, like fresh manure, is used to create warm beds.

A short list of the uses of manure and its processed forms clearly highlighted the benefits of organic matter for land plot. By using organic fertilizers, you can solve many issues in home gardening and gardening, including the main one - increasing the natural fertility of the site.

Dear readers! Share your methods of processing and using manure, humus, compost for garden and berry crops. Share your management experience subsistence farming with minimal use of fertilizers and other chemicals that are unusual for the soil to increase soil fertility, increase productivity, and increase crop immunity to diseases and pests.

Applying fertilizers to the soil requires certain knowledge. Everything matters here: the timing, the amount and type of nutrients, the needs of the plants that will be planted in the beds. An excess of fertilizers, as well as a deficiency, leads to a decrease in yield and deterioration in product quality. This applies not only to vegetable crops, but also to ornamental crops, the beauty of which largely depends on the composition of the soil. The first thing a novice gardener needs to know is the differences between organic and mineral fertilizers.

Organic fertilizers are waste products of plant and animal origin. These are, first of all, manure, bird droppings, mullein and nettle infusions, compost and peat. They contain in large quantities phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium and potassium, as well as other elements necessary for the normal development of plants. Any organic materials can be used as such fertilizers:

  • sawdust;

  • grass;

  • river silt;

  • green manure plants;

  • vegetable and fruit peelings;

  • straw;

  • feces.

Before adding organic matter to the soil, it must be sufficiently rotted, so all waste should be composted in advance, and the duration of this process directly depends on the type organic materials. On average, it takes from 4 to 8 months to overheat. Slurry and bird droppings are first diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, and only then used to feed plants.

ProsCons
Organics contain many useful microelementsA high concentration of fertilizer has a negative effect on plants and saturates them with nitrates.
Improves the structure of the soil, making it looserDanger of soil contamination by nematodes, fungi or helminths
Organic fertilizers are available and inexpensiveDistributing organic matter throughout an area requires some effort and time.
Slowly decomposes in the soil, which ensures a longer actionStrong and very unpleasant odor

Preparation of organic fertilizers practically does not require material costs. For example, to make compost, you just need to select a flat area of ​​small size (1x2 m, 1.5x1.5 m) on the site and, for convenience, fence it with slate or boards.

After this, the space is gradually filled with plant debris - weeds, straw, peelings, fallen leaves. The compost heap is periodically watered with water so that its contents are rotted and not dried out in the sun, and shoveled once every 3-4 months. Thanks to such actions, the compost becomes homogeneous, beneficial worms and microorganisms multiply in it.

Nutrients entering the soil bind to humus particles and penetrate the root system through complex metabolic reactions. Thanks to this, plants absorb only what they need and grow strong, resistant to adverse weather and disease. The harvest in such conditions may not be maximum, but it is environmentally friendly, stores well, and the fruits are tasty and aromatic, with a high content of vitamins and microelements.

Inorganic compounds that contain nutritional elements have long been used in agriculture and in some ways surpassed organic matter. Depending on the composition, these fertilizers are usually divided into complex and simple. If they contain at least two main elements, these are complex fertilizers: ammophos, nitrophos, potassium nitrate and others. If there is only one nutrient element, the fertilizer belongs to the second type (urea, ammonium nitrate, phosphate rock, superphosphate).

Mineral fertilizers are sold in concentrated form - granules, powder, liquid solutions. This makes working with them much easier, but at the same time requires great care, because the slightest excess of the dosage can negatively affect the future harvest. The use of such fertilizers allows you to grow various cultures not only on the ground, but also on soilless substrates - sawdust, coconut fiber, perlite, vermiculite and others. These substrates are more porous than soil, which means plant roots receive more oxygen and grow more easily.

When feeding, the roots gain quick access to nutrients that come with water. In this case, the plant cannot regulate absorption and absorbs everything that is given to it. If excess tissue forms mineral salts, it is compensated by the increased growth of the above-ground part. That is why crops on mineral fertilizers develop much faster than on organic matter. At the same time, the plants become watery and very sensitive to various infections, which requires additional protective measures.

The use of mineral fertilizers allows us to collect record harvests not only in quantity, but also in size of fruits. Despite their attractive appearance, such fruits contain fewer vitamins and are poorly stored. If during cultivation the norm of fertilizing is allowed to be exceeded, mineral salts accumulate in the fruits and harm human health, causing severe poisoning. But if you follow the feeding technology negative consequences is not observed, and stable yields can be achieved even on poor soils.

If you select fertilizers depending on the needs of a particular crop and correctly calculate the dose, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients.

There is another type of fertilizer that successfully combines all the advantages of organic matter and mineral salts, and practically does not have their disadvantages. These are organomineral mixtures consisting of processed organic waste and enriched with potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen and other components. This composition allows you to improve the soil, promoting the development of microflora, as well as accelerate the ripening of fruits and increase the yield. Since the concentration of mineral salts in these mixtures is quite low, plants receive only the necessary elements and do not accumulate harmful substances.

Combined fertilizers - description

Which fertilizer to choose is up to each gardener to decide for himself, depending on the desired results. But it’s best to be able to find a balance between chemistry and organics and know moderation in everything. Inept handling also makes its own adjustments, so before using fertilizers, carefully study how it is done.

Video - What is the difference between organic fertilizers and mineral fertilizers



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