ORGANIC FERTILIZATION
Used in agriculture, and in horticulture, fertilizers are divided into two types: organic fertilizers and mineral fertilizers. Organic fertilizers include: manure, fertilizer from the mushroom farm, peat, lignite, small livestock fertilizer (bird, rabbit), feces, slurry, fawn, tree bark, composts and green fertilizers. These fertilizers contain an organic substance, which, when decomposed in the soil, produces humus rich in nutrients needed by plants; it improves the soil structure, increases water capacity, protects easily soluble minerals against washing away. The fertility of soils depends to a large extent on their humus content. Therefore, it is advisable to use organic fertilizers, affecting the increase in yields of arable crops. However, you have to remember, that the formation of humus compounds depends on the soil saturation with lime, therefore, acidic soil should be calcified prior to application of organic fertilizers.
Organic fertilizers, increasing soil fertility, they influence it in many ways. Addition 4% (12 kg and m2) volumetric material, which are organic fertilizers, has a significant impact on loosening the soil. Such a dose reduces the soil density by increasing the sum of voids, which in turn changes the water-air ratio and changes biological conditions. This loosening effect of organic fertilizers has a positive effect only on heavy soils, in which there is relatively little air. On light soils, organic fertilizers affect their cohesiveness.
When decomposing organic fertilizers, a lot of carbon dioxide is released, so not only soil air, but also the soil solution is enriched with CO2. Carbon dioxide, in the soil solution, increases the solubility of minerals in the soil, which thus become available for plants. Moreover, carbon dioxide enters the ground layers of the soil and enriches them.
Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide increases the assimilation, which results in higher yields. In addition, a large amount of bacteria is brought in with organic fertilizers, thanks to which the biological activity in the soil is enhanced, accelerating the decomposition of organic matter.
Thus, the importance of organic fertilizers lies not only in the nutrients they contain, but mainly to increase the organic matter in the soil, which affects: improvement of soil structure, water and heat relations, the life of microorganisms and reduces the leaching of minerals from the soil. Introduced with organic fertilizers various amounts of alkaline compounds, containing NH4 + cations, Ca2+, K+, have a de-acidifying effect on the soil.
Manure is a mixture of solid and liquid animal excrements and litter. According to the origin, manure is distinguished: bovine, equine, pig and sheep. Manure is a valuable organic fertilizer due to its full composition, i.e.. that apart from the organic substance, it contains all the macros- and trace elements. It should be used in an amount at least 300 kg in 100 m2 (and even 1000 kg), co 2-3 years. A sufficient amount of dry organic matter is introduced into the soil along with the smallest dose of manure, and: 1,5 kg azotu (N), 0,30 kg of phosphorus (P205), 1,44 kg of potassium (K20), 0,74 kg of calcium (CaO), 0,27 kg of magnesium (MgO), 0,12 kg of sulfur (S), 15 g manganu (Mn), 1,5 g pipe (E), 7,5 g of zinc (Zn), 0,75 g of copper (Cu) i 0,66 g molybdenum (Mo) [9]. The fertilizing value of manure depends on the type of animals, from which it comes, and from the litter. Horse and sheep manure is drier than cattle manure. It breaks down faster and gives off a lot of heat, making it suitable for mushroom cultivation and for frames.
After transporting the manure, it should be spread out and coated, unless it is foreseen for inspection. However, if we have to hold him temporarily, then losses and too rapid decomposition of organic matter must be prevented. In this case, the manure should be placed in a heap. From the place designated for the pile, the soil should be removed to the depth of the tip, setting it aside. The bottom of the pit, which should fall to the center on all sides, must be tamped and preferably covered with a layer of peat. Straw manure, not unfolded, must be kneaded harder, rotten – weaker. The height of the prism should not exceed 1,5-2 m. It is good to cover the heap with peat, or at least the earth. A small depression should be made at its top, so that rainwater gets inside.
The rule applies to fertilization with manure, that any spilled manure must be buried immediately, because leaving it on 24 hours lowers its effect by 30%, po 4 days by over 40%. Manure is dug up on heavy soils, draining no deeper than 15-18 cm. On lighter soils, sandy, the manure is digged a little deeper – around 20 cm. Better results are obtained on these soils, using manure co 2 years, than in larger doses of co 4 years. On heavier soils, in which the manure decomposes more slowly, the benefits of using more manure may be less.