In the age-old fertilizer battle of organic versus synthetic, we have a definitive answer: You need both.
“Should I be using organic or synthetic fertilizer?” We hear this question a lot, but the truth is not about choosing
one over the other. It’s about using both kinds to optimize what you have for long-lasting soil health and plant yields.
Getting in the way of clear soil solutions are a lot of myths that are associated with this debate. Perhaps you have
heard them before. Organic is expensive and works too slowly, and the yields are never the same year to year. Synthetics
destroy soil and wash away easily. Trying to sort through these myths only makes finding the right solution more
complicated.
That’s why it’s important to set the record straight. So here are our top three reasons why you should consider
integrating both organic and synthetic nutrients as part of a hybrid or bridge fertilization program.
Building Stronger Rhizospheres
For years, there’s been a focus on protecting plant health. However, the not-so-secret solution to healthy plants
happens below the surface. This soil area, commonly called the rhizosphere, is a complex biome of microorganisms and
chemical exchanges along the root systems. It’s here that critical ecosystem services like carbon and water cycling
occur. And without a healthy, productive rhizosphere, above-ground growth is nearly impossible.
Using both organic and synthetic fertilizers is a critical piece of the puzzle. Synthetics can deliver the exact,
fast-acting nutrients plant soils need, while organics provide the long-term fuel for those microorganisms. When applied
correctly, you have a mostly self-sustaining ecosystem that can result in higher crop yields, improved physiological
stress resistance, improved water uptake, and better protection against disease and drought conditions.
From our point of view, it’s like switching your major from chemistry to biology. At APF, delivering enhanced organics
means more than adding compost materials. Our solutions involve incorporating precise blended fertilizers with
biostimulants that add useful bacteria, bacillus, mycorrhizae, trichoderma, and humates—all the essentials that soils
need for long-lasting growth.
Tailoring Fertilizer to Your Soil
Since no soil or field is the same, it’s incredibly important that what goes into the ground is designed for specific
environmental demands. Hybrid fertilization programs are game-changers in that regard, enabling growers to practice
precision agriculture more than ever before.
Some soils are more nutrient-deficient than others, others lack the acidity for productive growth, while others have
obstacles like heavy compaction getting in the way. No matter the challenge, approaching your solution with a hybrid
program lets you address more deficiencies at once than using organic or synthetic fertilizers alone.
In our experience, finding that ideal balance begins with thorough soil testing and consultation. Our dirt
doctors have been doing this for years, working with organic and conventional growers to deliver
the yields they need.
Decreasing Inputs, Increasing Profit
This reason is all about the bottom line and profitability. Whenever you build stronger rhizospheres with healthy
microbial activity, root systems become more sustainable, especially when combined with slow-release synthetic
nutrients. After all, the more sustainable and healthier your soil is, there’s a far greater chance for profitable
yields that can last generations.
Determining the best fertilizer solution for you is only the first step. The experts at APF are ready help you achieve
better results. Contact us today.