In modern agriculture, the decision between using organic fertilizer or opting for a natural biostimulant has become crucial for farmers seeking to increase productivity and maintain sustainability. Organic fertilizer is known for improving the soil and providing nutrients gradually, while a natural biostimulant acts directly on the plant, stimulating its physiological processes and improving crop quality.
Understanding the differences between organic fertilizer and natural biostimulant allows farmers to make strategic decisions that influence soil fertility, plant resilience, and overall crop yield.
What is organic fertilizer?
Organic fertilizer is a product of natural origin, made from plant remains, animal manure, or compost. Its main function is to provide nutrients to the soil and improve its physical structure.
Advantages of organic fertilizer:
- It provides nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium naturally.
- It improves soil aeration and water retention.
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It promotes microbial activity.
Limitations of organic fertilizer:
- Its effect is slower , as it needs to decompose.
- Nutrient availability is not always uniform.
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It may contain pathogens or unwanted seeds if it is not properly treated.
What is a natural biostimulant?
A natural biostimulant does not seek to replace soil nutrients, but rather to activate physiological processes in the plant to improve its performance and resilience.
These products, such as those made from seaweed extracts, amino acids, humic acids, or molecules like chitosan, function as biological regulators .
Advantages of the natural biostimulant:
- It increases the efficiency of nutrient absorption.
- Activates natural defenses against biotic (pests) and abiotic (drought, heat) stress.
- Improves fruit quality (larger size, Brix degrees, uniformity).
- Compatible with conventional and organic agriculture.
Limitations of the natural biostimulant:
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It does not replace basic fertilization.
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It requires precise application protocols to obtain optimal results.
Organic fertilizer vs natural biostimulant: key differences
|
Feature |
Organic fertilizer |
Natural biostimulant |
|
Main function |
It provides nutrients to the soil |
Activates physiological processes in the plant |
|
Speed of action |
Slow, it depends on decomposition |
Fast, visible effects in weeks |
|
Impact on the ground |
Improves structure and microbiota |
Enhances nutrient absorption |
|
Impact on the plant |
Indirect, via soil |
Direct, via roots and leaves |
|
Optimal use |
Improve long-term soil fertility |
Optimize crop yield and quality |
Combined strategy for farmers
The key is not to choose one or the other, but to integrate them strategically:
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Organic fertilizer → basis for maintaining soil fertility.
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Natural biostimulant → a tool to improve plant performance and reduce the use of agrochemicals.
The combination of both provides a more balanced agricultural system, with healthy soils and more resilient plants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use organic fertilizer and natural biostimulant at the same time?
Yes. In fact, the combination is recommended: the fertilizer improves the soil and the biostimulant directly strengthens the plant.
2. Does the natural biostimulant replace fertilizer?
No. It is a supplement that improves the efficiency of nutrient use provided by fertilizers or compost.
3. What results can I expect in the short term?
With natural biostimulants, increases of up to 25% in Brix degrees and improvements in productivity have been recorded in less than 90 days.
