Fertilizers, organic or inorganic fertilizers are a mishmash of agents that blends to help the deficiency of the soil and contribute to the plants growth. There are different types of fertilizers namely mixed fertilizers, organic fertilizers and chemical fertilizers, to name a few. All these fertilizers are trying to accomplish only one goal and that is the best quality and increased quantity of plant growth. Environmentalists also have been trying to accomplish an equal balance between organic and inorganic fertilizers for years. Owing to the increasing concerns over health many farmers as well as local gardeners have decided to employ organic materials for their plant growth. However, there is no information stating inorganic materials to be harmful, organic materials are widely preferred.
Soil amendments are made by supplementing fertilizers to the soil and the widely used organic fertilizer is made from cow manure, bone meal, bat guano, green manure crops and organic compost. The chemical fertilizers are referred to as inorganic fertilizer and are used to suit specified uses. Governments as well as agricultural departments are working steadily to enhance the organic fertilizers supply so that they meet the fertilizer needs without any struggle. In comparison to the organic compost, the inorganic fertilizers are available in bulk quantities. The inorganic or chemical fertilizers are less bulky than the organic fertilizers and this makes transportation easier to overland and also reach the plants from the soil quickly as they become a plant food constituent the moment it is incorporated. Chemical fertilizers are available in powder or granular forms in boxes or bags. They also come in liquid forms in bottles. The chemical fertilizers are based on Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous.
Types of fertilizers with specifications should not detract the gardening joys should be remembered. The chemical and organic fertilizers are commercially available in many countries. They can be classified as the following:
Complete inorganic fertilizers: -consists of major macronutrients such as N- Nitrogen, P- Phosphorous and K- Potassium. The containers display these macronutrients in the ratio, e.g. 2:3:2. Complete inorganic fertilizers are applied 60g/m2 or approximately 4 tablespoons/ square meter.
Special purpose fertilizer: -are formulated to target the requirements of certain plants or particular soil deficiencies. The Blue Hydrangea Food and straight fertilizer is made of a particular plant nutrient for instance, lawn fertilizer.
Liquid fertilizers: – come in a various formulations and include complete fertilizer, organic fertilizer as well as special purpose fertilizer. Nitrosol and African Violet Food are some of the examples of liquid fertilizers.
Slow-release fertilizer: are formulated to liberate nitrogen at a regular pace. They are available commercially and is depicted as 3:1:5 (SR), and the SR is an indication to slow-release.
Fertilizer with insecticide: -are prepared and combined with insecticide such as Wonder 4:1:1 (21) plus Karbaspray.
The reason for having different types of chemical fertilizers is owing to the different plants requirement of the nutrient and pH levels. Organic fertilizers have adequate diversity, and does not burn plant roots nor does it get into the ground water or affect the surrounding growth.
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