In agrotecnica we always want to describe different aspects of interest about certain agroecological alternatives that we have been socializing with the entire hive community, for this reason, different articles will be observed on a particular topic, because there will always be something else to explain about it, either about an update or related topic. On this occasion we are still talking about organic fertilizers or biofertilizers, for those who have not read some of our articles it is necessary to point out that they are products that can be made in the production units themselves based on ingredients of animal or vegetable origin and that after a decomposition process can be incorporated into the soil to maintain or improve their physical, chemical and biological properties.
In that sense, the fertilizers can be differentiated between them by the type of organic materials used for their elaboration and the type of decomposition to which they are subjected, it would be ideal if the materials used are available on the farm itself or failing that in neighboring areas and low costs. As for the type of decomposition of the organic materials used, it can be aerobic, that is, in the presence of oxygen, where the microorganisms consume said oxygen, and according to Primavesi (2000), they also use an organic carbon source to subsequently generate nitrates, sulfates, among other compounds.
Also for the elaboration of these fertilizers, the anaerobic decomposition method can be implemented, which unlike the one mentioned in the previous section occurs in the absence of oxygen, where some bacteria proliferate that are responsible for converting organic molecules into simpler ones that can be assimilated by plants. The producer must choose the type of decomposition of the organic matter depending on how quickly he needs, since, the variable time comes into play because aerobic decomposition is faster and anaerobic decomposition takes several days to months to obtain the desired product.
In the same vein, at agrotecnica we work in vermiculture to obtain leachates and we also work with other types of fertilizers such as manure biol te among others, in which a wide variety of organic matter can be used, which we will mention below.
- The foliage of a wide variety of plants can be used, especially legumes that have a high percentage of protein in their leaves.
Also crop residues that can be used for composting, some researchers have pointed out that the residues of young vegetables such as leaves, fruits are rich in nitrogen and poor in carbon and the remains of more mature vegetables such as branches, stems among others are less rich in nitrogen. Here it can also be added that the branches coming from the pruning of trees need to be crushed to decrease the decomposition time.
In the same way, urban waste can be used, kitchen waste becomes an important ingredient and an adequate amount of waste from vegetables is produced in every household every day, it would be interesting for some government entities to implement waste receptacles to produce products that are destined for agriculture, we would be talking about a large recycling of nutrients from the field to the house and from the house to the field.
- Another waste that is used in livestock production units is bovine manure, there are many fertilizers based on this waste, if the grass is fertilized we would be returning part of the nutrients that the grass provided to the animals. In the same way, many waste products can be used in slaughterhouses, such as blood, stomach, among others.
- On the other hand, you have marine plants, which sometimes invade the riverbeds, they can be used to make compost, since they have an adequate nutritional level of phosphorus nitrogen and potassium.
Dear readers, the quality of organic fertilizers depends on the type of waste that is used and the proper management of the decomposition technique, the quantification of the nutritional content can be done through the chemical analyses that are performed on the final product, also its biological quality can be determined by sending a microbiological analysis. Undoubtedly, organic fertilizers are nutritional sources coming directly from nature that can displace synthetic fertilizers in the long term because it potentiates the biological processes of the soil.
Primavesi. (2000). Bokashi, Fermented organic fertilizer. EARTH Costa Rica.
Suquilanda. M. 1996. Organic Agriculture. Technological alternative of the future. Fundagro. Quito- Ecuador. 103p
Thank you for reading our agricultural academic content, until a next installment.
