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Composition- Inorganic fertilizers are chemically based synthetic nutrients which simulate those found in the soil, mainly the nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium elements that are non-biodegradable. Organic fertilizers are made from naturally decaying materials like green manure, decomposing matters, municipal solid wastes and crop residues and are of course highly biodegradable.
Immediate Effect versus Delayed Effect- Applications to the soil of inorganic fertilizers are directly absorbed by the plant to immediately increase the required nutrient supplement. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, are applied to the soil as food for the microbes. The latter will consume the decaying organic matter and will produce a sticky white substance as waste. These wastes are now the carriers of the nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and other nutrients, which will combine with the soil to provide the supplements needed by the plants. Only then will the plant be able to gain from the benefits of organic fertilizers.
Completeness of Nutrient Contents- Chemical fertilizers contain mostly nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium plus some filler and other chemical contents not needed by the plant. Natural fertilizers, on the other hand, contain naturally decaying materials like fish meals, blood and bone meals that contain calcium and magnesium that are also required by plants.
Cost Efficiency- Chemically formulated nutrients in inorganic fertilizers turn out to be much cheaper since a small amount contains great concentrations. Compost and other wastes that comprise organic fertilizers take time to process, store and transport and are applied as layers in order to fully cover the cultivated soil. Thus, greater quantities are consumed in order to achieve the effective results, which denote that related costs could be higher.
