Fertilizer Fundamentals – Organic vs. Synthetic and When to Use What

What Are Fertilizers?

Fertilizers are materials added to soil or plants to supply essential nutrients for growth. The three macronutrients every farmer should know are:

• Nitrogen (N) – Leaf and stem growth
• Phosphorus (P) – Root development and flowering
• Potassium (K) – Disease resistance and overall strength

You'll often see them labeled as N-P-K ratios, like 10-10-10 or 20-5-5.

Organic vs. Synthetic Fertilizers

Organic Fertilizers

• Made from natural sources like manure, compost, bone meal, and seaweed.
• Improve soil structure and feed microorganisms.
• Release nutrients slowly—great for long-term soil health.

Examples:

• Cow dung
• Compost
• Neem cake
• Poultry droppings

Synthetic (Chemical) Fertilizers

• Man-made, concentrated, and fast-acting.
• Deliver nutrients quickly to plants.
• Easier to apply and control.

Examples:

• Urea (Nitrogen)
• NPK blends
• Superphosphate
• Ammonium sulfate

So… Which Should You Use?

Criteria	Organic Fertilizers	Synthetic Fertilizers
Speed	Slow-release	Fast-acting
Cost	Low (if locally sourced)	Moderate to high
Soil Health	Improves structure	Can degrade over time
Nutrient Control	Less precise	Highly targeted
Environmental Impact	Low	Risk of runoff, pollution

Use both in a balanced approach (integrated nutrient management).

Application Best Practices

• Don’t overdo it: Too much fertilizer = nutrient burn, soil damage.
• Time it right: Apply when plants are actively growing.
• Target the root zone: That's where uptake happens.
• Use compost as a base, and top up with synthetics when needed.

Test before you invest.

Always soil-test before applying fertilizer. You might be spending money on nutrients your soil already has—or missing a critical deficiency.