What is Inorganic Fertilizer? Know the Advantages and Disadvantages

Inorganic fertilizers or chemical fertilizers are derived from inorganic materials with certain nutrients or minerals. Examples of this fertilizer are urea (containing nitrogen), SP-36 (containing phosphorus), and NPK (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). This type of fertilizer contains nutrients in a simpler form.

The advantage of inorganic fertilizers is that they decompose faster so they are absorbed more quickly by plants. Therefore, inorganic fertilizers are needed in small quantities. The use of inorganic fertilizers is also easier because the nutritional content has been measured and contained in the form of concentrate. The disadvantages of inorganic fertilizers are easy to leave chemical residues that can interfere with soil and human health. These residues can also cause an imbalance of nutrients in the soil. In addition, inorganic fertilizers are also fast release so their application must be done more often. Inorganic fertilizers are also relatively more expensive and cannot be produced alone.

Advantages of Inorganic Fertilizer

There are several advantages of inorganic fertilizers that need to be known. The following explanation is quoted from the manual for the use of fertilizers by Pinus Lingga.

1. The application can be measured precisely because the nutrient dose of inorganic fertilizers is generally right.
2. Plant needs for nutrients can be met with the right ratio. For example, until harvest time, cassava absorbs 200 kilograms of nitrogen nutrients per hectare, so it can be replaced with the right dose of N fertilizer.
3. Inorganic fertilizers are available in sufficient quantities. The point is, that the need for fertilizer can be met easily as long as there is money.
4. Inorganic fertilizers are easy to transport because they are relatively small compared to organic fertilizers such as compost or manure. The calculation result of the transportation cost of this fertilizer is also much cheaper than organic fertilizer.

Weaknesses of Inorganic Fertilizer

Inorganic fertilizers have several disadvantages. Besides only having macro elements, there are very few micronutrients in inorganic fertilizers. It is even known to contain almost no micro-nutrients.

The provision of inorganic fertilizers through the roots needs to be balanced with the use of foliar fertilizers that contain lots of micronutrients. If not added, plant growth is not perfect. In addition, the continuous use of inorganic fertilizers can damage the soil. Especially if it is not balanced with manure or compost.

Inorganic fertilizer ash on plants should not be given too much because it can make the plant die. Therefore, the use of inorganic fertilizers must follow and comply with the rules.