Fertilizers: Organic vs Chemical

April 11, 2014

Reading and Writing CLB
Rodrigo Martins
Fertilizers are basically chemical substances that provide and enrich the soil with
nutrients, which are intrinsic, and are of integral importance to the growth and
development of the plants. Fertilizers actually increase all these factors with the help of
supplying nutrients to the crops which include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
However, there exist many types of fertilizers, which can make good things for the soil,
and bad things also. Two common types used are organic and chemical, which are
completely different in the way of producing, effects on soil, and food production.
In their production organic fertilizers are for the most part composed of naturally
occurring organic materials, which include manure, worm castings, compost, food
scraps and others types of waste. In addition, the use of animal dung and waste is an
economical way of obtaining organic fertilizer and at the same time it also ensures
effective yield as urine contains large amounts of phosphorous.
In contrast, the most part of chemical fertilizers are made with products
derivated from petroleum, rocks reserves, and many other chemical processes. These
kinds of fertilizers spend a lot of energy being produced, such as natural gas, mineral
coal that are fossil fuels, and contribute to global warming. Although these fertilizers
have increased the production of foods and their use has grown each new year.
Conversely, the continued use has created some problems for soil.
The use of organic fertilizers improves soil quality and has offered many
benefits, such as improved soil structure, organic matter, capacity to retain water,
corrects the deficiency of nutrients, and provides nutrients for the plant growth. On one
hand, some fertilizers have too much sodium in the composition, which may hinder the
development of the plants. The use should be done in a controlled way.
Similarly, chemical fertilizers provide benefits more specific to the plants, such
as correcting the nutritional deficiency, improving the plant growth, and increasing the
process of food production. At the same time, if it used in excess, it can cause
environmental disasters, which will be drastically changed the chemical composition of
the soil. Consequently, the soil becomes poorer reducing the presence of live organisms
and oxygen.
For the purpose of food production both are different in many situations. The
organic fertilizers are produced as an alternative to give a sustainable destination for
animal waste, improve soil quality, and also, as an economic option for small farmers.
The production of organic food is more common in small farms, and has a production
that is considered small, if compared with foods from chemical products.
In contrast, chemical fertilizers are used for all of farmers, especially those that
have big food production. These fertilizers provide nutrients for the specific deficiency
of the plant. This way plants have faster growth, and becomes healthier with a better
food quality. On the other hand, this amount of nutrients in plants can attract pests or
diseases that will require the use of pesticides, which are specific products to solve these
problems.
In conclusion, both options are commonly used in agriculture, and each one has
advantages as well as disadvantages. Notwithstanding, in a sustainable way of food
production the organic fertilizer can provide more benefits to soil, plant, and population
in general, which is the main consumers.