The document discusses the importance and benefits of organic fertilizers compared to chemical fertilizers. It notes that the acreage of organic agriculture has increased significantly in recent years. While chemical fertilizers can contaminate groundwater and harm plant, aquatic, and human life, organic fertilizers produce high harvest rates without pollution. The most sustainable organic fertilizers mentioned are compost, manures, and mulches. Compost is beneficial as both a soil amendment and mulch, and can be made from yard and kitchen waste. Manures provide nitrogen to soils. Mulches help retain moisture and provide slow-release nutrients as they break down.

1. The importance of organic
fertilizer in agriculture
Nume:Ursei Vlad
Grupa:8218

2. Organic Fertilizer
• The use of organic fertilizer in sustainable gardens and
farms is quickly gaining in popularity - the number of
acres of organic agriculture increased from 59 million
in 2004 to nearly 81 million in 2009 - especially as their
mitigating effects on the environment are
demonstrated through more and more studies. While
the use of synthetics amendments is both dangerous
and expensive, not all organic amendments can be
considered sustainable.
•

3. Chemical Fertilizer vs Organic
Fertilizer
• Nitrogen fertilizers break down into nitrates upon application.
Nitrates are necessary for the plants growth but an excess will
leach into groundwater supplies and can contaminate sources
miles away. Because nitrogen leaches through the soil more
quickly, over-application is abundant. These chemical fertilizers
have a hugely negative effect on plant and aquatic life, as well as
human health.
• And when comparing chemical fertilizers vs organic fertilizers
it's important to mention one study from the University of
California, Berkeley that states sustainable farming can indeed
"feed the world", despite what proponents and manufacturers of
chemical fertilizers would have us believe. It produces as high
harvest rates, using less inputs and virtually eliminates the
pollution or contamination that leads to health and environmental
issues.

4. Most Sustainable Organic
Fertilizer
Compost
 You really can't get enough
of this. Made from your own
yard and kitchen scraps,
compost creates a fully
closed-cycled system within
your home. Little is wasted
and its benefits are
unsurpassed as both a soil
amendment and mulch.
 Compost in greater amounts
can also be acquired from
local farmers or for free
from communities with a
composting program.

5. Manures
High in nitrogen,
animal waste from
cows, horses, chickens
or pigs are a great
amendment to the soil
and give sustainable
use to an otherwise
smelly by-product.

6. Mulches
 The use of organic
mulch is as important as
the use of compost.
 A thin or thick layer
(depending on the plant)
of wood bark, dried
leaves, grass clippings, or
any other organic
material will primarily
help retain moisture, but
will also break down over
time, acting as a slow
release fertilizer and
adding to soil fertility

7. Sources
 http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/organic-
fertilizer.html
 http://www.metro-forestry.com/
 http://en.wikipedia.org/