Ten reasons why organic growers do not use synthetically compounded fertilzers

Abstract

Abstract Organic growers traditionally have placed synthetically compounded fertilizers onto the list of products which they ban. Generally, synthetically compounded fertilizers are very simple compounds that supply nutrients to plants. They are not even all inorganic if urea is classed as organic. Synthetically compounded fertilizers are identical with similar compounds found in nature. Plants cannot tell the difference. There are, however, at least ten compelling reasons for using natural organics as fertilizers: (a) Recycling for political and economic reasons, (b) Recycling to conserve natural resources, (c) To decrease soil acidification, (d) To decrease soil erosion and compaction by increasing levels of soil organic matter, (e) To protect groundwaters from nitrate buildup, (f) To protect surface waters from algal bloom, (g) To help have a favorable soil biology, (h) To help improve water‐use efficiency, (i) Some synthetically compounded fertilizers are dangerous to produce, and (j) “Organic” certif...