Soil structure
Chemical fertilizers destroy soil structure:
· non-organic fertilizers contain acids, such as sulphuric and hydrochloric. These substances dissolve the soil lumps which give the soil looseness and characteristic viscosity.
· as these binding components are destroyed, the soil compresses and a crust forms on it, preventing penetration of rainwater into the upper arable layer.
Soil microorganisms
Mineral fertilizers inhibit the activity of microorganisms living in the soil:
· they contribute to the change in the Ph-level of the soil to a more acidic level, which, in turn, leads to a change in the type of microorganisms living in the soil. Normal soil microflora is a prerequisite for a good natural immunity of plants to diseases;
· beneficial bacteria and fungi that reproduce in healthy soil around plant roots produce antibiotic substances that destroy pathogens of many diseases;
· that is why, if you use chemical fertilizers, you must neutralize their acidifying effect by adding vermicompost and/or lime to the soil;
· it is most cost-effective to use mineral fertilizers in soils containing more humus;
· the application of both mineral fertilizers and vermicompost to the soil enhances the intensity of microbiological processes and, as a result, the transformation of organic and mineral substances increases concomitantly.
Groundwater
A significant part of mineral fertilizers is washed into groundwater:
· Water-soluble fertilizers disintegrate very quickly in the soil. And since plants can assimilate only a limited amount of nutrients at a time, a very substantial part of the fertilizer simply ends up in groundwater, even if the fertilizer used is of prolonged action.
· At the same time, it is not only groundwater that suffers, but chemicals also seep into the subsoil layer. There, they react with clay to form water-tight formations.
· Results? The cost-effectiveness has decreased, the soil has deteriorated, and the plants have not been properly fed.
Taste and nutritional value
The fruits and vegetables grown on mineral fertilizers are not only less nutritious, but also have a less pleasant taste:
· lack of trace elements in chemical fertilizers leads to a decrease in the nutritional value of vegetables, fruits and greens. It also impairs the ability of plants to resist diseases;
· moreover, mineral fertilizers impair the digestibility of even those microelements that are already in the soil.
· and as for the taste, most would agree that according to this indicator organic fruits and vegetables surely outperform fruits and vegetables grown with mineral supplements.
Why is that important?
Chemical fertilizers do give short-term results, but in the long run they harm the soil, groundwater, and our health. Vermicompost increases the efficiency of chemical fertilizers, therefore reducing their required amount by 20-30%, while the assimilation coefficient of nitrogen and phosphorus increases.
Vermicompost, on the other hand, improves soil by:
· saturating it with nutrients in the form most favorable for plants;
· preventing many diseases due to helpful bacteria present in it;
· loosening its texture and increasing its water permeability.
As a result, we have healthier and tastier fruits and vegetables. So it is really extremely important where your plants get the nutrition they need.
GROWO vermicompost extract has all the wonderful properties of vermicompost plus ease and versatility of use. Read more or visit our online store.