The Effect of Integrated Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on Soil Fertility and Productivity

Abstract

Soil fertility depletion is a main problem to sustain agricultural production and productivity in many countries. The use of inorganic (chemical) fertilizer or organic fertilizer alone has both positive and negative effects on plant growth, nutrient availability and the soil. Inorganic fertilizer is usually immediately and fast containing all necessary nutrients that are directly easy to get for plants. But continuous use of inorganic (chemical) fertilizers alone causes soil organic matter degradation, soil acidity and environmental pollution. However, Organic fertilizer improves physical and biological activities of soil, but comparatively organic fertilizers has lower nutrient content, because of that larger quantity of fertilizer is required to adequate nutrient for plant growth. So integrated or mixed inorganic and organic nutrient management system is an alternative system for the sustainable and cost effective management of soil, and the result is raising soil fertility and productivity without affecting environment. The objective of the review is to assess the effect of mixing organic with inorganic fertilizer on soil fertility and productivity. The study revealed that appropriate application of organic with inorganic fertilizers increases the productivity without negative effect on productivity and improves soil fertility than the values obtained by organic or inorganic fertilizers separately.