Which are better: organic or mineral fertilizers?
To plants, nutrients are the same regardless of their origin. Nutrients in “organic” fertilizers must be converted to an “inorganic” state before they can be utilized by plants. Equivalent amounts of nutrients will provide the same nutritional value to plants. One major advantage of organic fertilizers is the addition of organic matter to the soil. The added organic matter provides many benefits to the physical, chemical and microbiological environment of the soil. In addition, organic sources contain sulfur and/or micronutrients that may not be present in an inorganic fertilizer. Organic sources generally supply nutrients in a “slow release” manner that reduces loss through leaching.
