Correct Selection: Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer vs. Synthetic
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1. Organic Nitrogen Fertilizers2. Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizers3. Side-by-Side Comparison4. Conclusion
Plants need nitrogen to grow well. It helps plants photosynthesize, build proteins, and produce chlorophyll (which gives plants' leaves a green color). Nitrogen is like plants' food that helps plants become bigger and stronger.
In what way should I provide nitrogen to my plant growth? This question has been lingering in my mind.
Sometimes, I use natural stuff like compost, manure, and coffee grounds. These organic stuffs are natural nitrogen. They release nitrogen slowly as they break down, which is better for the environment and soil in the long run. It's all about keeping things balanced and sustainable.
On the other hand, I also use urea and ammonium sulfate to help plants grow better. These fertilizers release nitrogen fast, making plants grow fast and yield high. But there's a problem: when we use too many synthetic fertilizers, it can harm the water, soil, and even the weather.
So, this article is about weighing the pros and cons of these nitrogen fertilizers. I want to see how they affect things like soil health and the sustainability of gardening. By looking at both sides of the coin, I aim to figure out the best way to use nitrogen in planting. At the same time, I keep our Earth healthy.
1. Organic Nitrogen Fertilizers
To understand what nitrogen organic fertilizer is, we must first find out what organic fertilizer is. Organic fertilizer is the general name for all fertilizer sources containing much organic matter.
The amount of organic matter found in the top layer of soil where plants grow is usually between 0.5% to 2.5%. But it is a vital part of the soil.
Organic nitrogen fertilizer come from natural sources. Such as compost, manure, blood meal, feather meal, fish emulsion, alfalfa meal, bone meal, and soybean meal are all nitrogen sources.
Five pros of organic nitrogen fertilizer:
- Organic nitrogen fertilizers have a feature called "slow release." It provides nutrients to plants for a long time. This slow release of nitrogen can satisfy the plant's whole growing season.
- Organic nitrogen fertilizers also have other nutrients that plants need, which are non-toxic, harmless, and pollution-free. At the same time, it also has a variety of trace elements and sugars. Sugars provide energy for the growth of microbes in the soil.
- Organic nitrogen fertilizer can improve the enzyme activity in the soil. There are enzymes in manure and microbes that are beneficial to the soil.
- Soil particles are in the correct position, which can help water and nutrients stay in the soil. At the same time, air can move through the soil quickly in the soil. Organic nitrogen fertilizer can increase the amount of organic gums in the soil. So, it causes soil particles to stick together and form soil aggregates.
- Organic matter decomposes to form humic acid in the soil. Humic acid can be beneficial for plants. It helps to improve their enzyme activity and protects them from the harmful effects of heavy metal ions.
2. Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizers
Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers are artificial fertilizers. Ammonia is vital in producing synthetic nitrogen fertilizers such as urea, ammonium sulfate, and calcium nitrate.
Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer dissolves easily in water and fast releases nutrients. The roots of plants can absorb these nitrogen ions directly from water in the soil. Unlike organic nitrogen fertilizers, synthetic nitrogen fertilizers directly provide plants with high nitrogen without the help of microbes.
Four cons of organic nitrogen fertilizer:
- When too much nitrogen flows into nearby streams or lakes, it will pollute water. When there is too much nitrogen present in nearby streams or lakes, it can lead to too much algae in the water. Other creatures in the water will die from lack of oxygen because of too much algae.
- The production of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer requires a lot of natural gas, coal, and oil. The production process will release gases such as nitrous oxide, which is one of the causes of global warming.
- So much nitrogen will reduce the soil's organic matter content and bacteria's diversity and activity in the soil.
- Too much nitrogen will burn plants, make weeds grow fast, attract more pests, and cause plant diseases.
3. Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's a simple table comparing key aspects of organic and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers:
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4. Conclusion
All in all, nitrogen is the cornerstone of nourishing gardening. Choosing between organic and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers can be a challenging decision. The "best" choice depends on your unique situation.
As a gardener who loves soil, I am not just cultivating plants. I am creating a sustainable and beautiful garden.
Bibliography:
- Soil biota contributions to soil aggregation. Lehmann, A., Zheng, W. & Rillig, M.C. Nat Ecol Evol 1, 1828–1835 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0344-y
- Soil Aggregate Stability: A Review, E. Amézketa, Journal: Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 1999, Volume 14, Number 2-3, Page 83, DOI: 10.1300/J064v14n02_08
- Studies on the humic acid structure and microbial nutrient restriction mechanism during organic-inorganic co-composting, Huiyong Yu, Panpan Li, Guodong Bo, Guoming Shen, Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 353, 2024, 120186, ISSN 0301-4797, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120186.
- Impacts of Climate Change and Agricultural Practices on Nitrogen Processes, Genes, and Soil Nitrous Oxide Emissions: A Quantitative Review of Meta-Analyses, Hui D, Ray A, Kasrija L, Christian J. Agriculture. 2024; 14(2):240. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14020240
My name is Arthur Mo. I am a gardener who loves gardening so much. I graduated from Ocean University of China. After I returned to Japan, I began to learn how to cultivate hydrangeas and daisies. Mr. Mitsuhiro (my master) taught me to sow, cut, fertilize, and manage diseases and pests. For nine years, I have been sharpening my planting skills. In 2022, my family and I moved to Florida. The warm climate of Florida gives me the impulse to continue cultivating hydrangeas and daisies. I began my gardening trip in my backyard and unswervingly contributed my efforts to these plants. I love these plants deeply, and at the same time, I also thank my family, my master, and friends for their understanding and support.