Characteristics and Functions of Organic Fertilizer
It provides comprehensive nutrients and long-lasting effects. Organic fertilizer not only contains essential macronutrients and trace elements for plants, but also contains a rich source of organic nutrients, such as humic acid, vitamins, growth hormones, antibiotics, and small-molecule organic nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. Therefore, organic fertilizer is the most comprehensive fertilizer. Furthermore, the application rate of organic fertilizer can vary widely without generally harming crop growth. Applying organic fertilizer not only increases crop yields in the current season, but also generally maintains its effects after the year, with a slow but long-lasting effect.
It improves soil physical and chemical properties and enhances soil fertility. Organic fertilizer contains a large amount of organic matter, typically around 200g/kg. Organic matter is an important material foundation for soil fertility. The main component of soil organic matter is humus, which accounts for 50-65% of the total soil organic matter. Humus is a complex organic colloid that regulates and buffers soil pH. It increases soil cation exchange capacity and improves soil fertility. Increasing soil organic matter content promotes the formation of a healthy soil structure, particularly by increasing water-stable aggregates. This improves soil bulk, aeration, water retention, and thermal conditions, positively impacting the water, fertilizer, air, and heat profiles that determine soil fertility. It also helps improve soil physical and chemical properties and enhances soil fertility.
It promotes soil microbial activity. Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in the transformation of organic matter and are a key indicator of soil fertility. For example, the mineralization of organic matter in soil, the mobilization of organic nitrogen and phosphorus in soil, and biological nitrogen fixation by legumes are all related to the activity of soil microorganisms. Therefore, the application of organic fertilizers not only increases the number and population of beneficial soil microorganisms but also provides favorable environmental conditions for soil microbial activity, significantly enhancing it.
It maintains and promotes soil nutrient balance. Nutrients absorbed by plants from the soil can be returned to the soil through the application of organic fertilizers and in the form of plant residues. The extent of this return depends primarily on the sufficient accumulation of various organic fertilizer sources, their proper application, and the rate of residue return. Only by maintaining this balance in agricultural production can soil fertility be steadily increased while simultaneously applying chemical fertilizers. Therefore, applying organic fertilizers is a crucial measure for soil fertility improvement.
Reducing fertilizer input costs. Organic fertilizers can be sourced and applied locally, are widely available, and are low-cost. Increasing the application of organic fertilizers not only improves soil fertility and nutrients but also increases the utilization rate of chemical fertilizers, thereby reducing the amount of chemical fertilizers used and thus lowering agricultural input costs.
