Advantages of Inorganic Fertilizer

Application

• Inorganic fertilizers come in a variety of forms that provide several options for application. The amount of fertilizer that you will need to apply is typically based on the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer. Liquid and solid pellet fertilizers are dispensed using a mechanical sprayer mounted on a tractor or a manual spreader. These two types of fertilizer have the advantage of allowing you to choose the quantity and concentration of the fertilizer you apply to the soil. Inorganic fertilizers are also easy to apply below the surface of the ground, making it easy to inject fertilizer into the soil.

Major Constituents

• Most inorganic fertilizers contain a certain amount of the three main chemicals plants require for healthy growth. Each type of inorganic fertilizer is rated by the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium it contains. These fertilizers are specifically formulated to provide specific amounts of each these chemicals for your plants. In combination with soil testing you can use an inorganic fertilizer to plan out the exact amounts of fertilizer your plants will need.

Supplemental Nutrients

• In addition to the three major nutrients found in most inorganic fertilizers, plants require a number of other nutrients known as micro-nutrients. These nutrients include zinc, copper, iron, molybdenum, manganese, boron and several other nutrients. Soils that are deficient in one of these micro-nutrients are easily amended using an inorganic fertilizer that contains a formulation of these micro-nutrients. Over fertilizing with micro-nutrients can create toxic levels of these chemicals that will damage your plants. Using inorganic fertilizers with micro-nutrients in conjunction with soil testing will ensure rich, healthy plant growth.

Considerations

• Although inorganic fertilizers are generally cheaper and easier to work with than natural fertilizers they have several disadvantages. Many inorganic fertilizers are a form of salt that can raise the salinity of your soil to toxic levels if they are over applied. Inorganic fertilizers are also more prone to leaching, making them less effective during rainy periods. The leaching tendency of inorganic fertilizers also means that they are a potential environmental hazard for nearby water sources. To avoid losing your fertilizer to leaching, avoid fertilizing shortly before rainstorms or apply your fertilizer below the surface of the soil.