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Fertiliser Advisory service

Organic farming
The principles of organic farming dictate that nutrient cycling in the agricultural system should be closed and
therefore not reliant on additional inputs. However, due to the removal of both vegetable and animal matter
from the system, a proportion of the soil reserves will be depleted with every harvest resulting in an export of
nutrient. Furthermore it is not always possible or practical to return these nutrients by way of the addition of
organic manures.
In order to ensure an adequate supply of nutrients to crops, and in order to safeguard long-term fertility of
agricultural soils, the EU-Eco-Regulation No 834/2007 and No 889/2008 allows mineral fertilisation, if needed
(liable to registration). The demand for such treatment is assessed by the competent regulatory authority.

When is it necessary to apply mineral fertiliser?

The requirement for mineral supplementation depends on the farm system as well as on the crops harvested
and their nutrient requirement. Land used for field crops and vegetables usually requires more fertilisation

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than does pastureland. Based on soil analyses and the nutrient balance (assessed by comparing and
monitoring soil nutrient levels over time) the need for supplementary fertilisation can be determined. Even if
the annual deficit seems negligible, the effect is cumulative and over time, a significant loss of soil fertility can
occur by depleting nutrient reserves.

Nutrient balance 2001 2007 of an organic crop rotation (Gterfelde, Germany)

Crop rotation: Silage maize winter rye +US clover potato winter rye blue lupin winter triticale
Manure application3), kg ha-1+year

Balance parameters

incl.
N

excl.

P2O5

K2O

MgO |

Nutrient supply total

90

30

45

17

| 31

of this, manure

57

30

45

17

N from
N-fixation

33

P2O5

K2O

MgO

80

27

| 31

of this, mineral fertiliser4)

Nutrient export, total

87

37

101

15

| 40

21

40

of this, primary products

821)

35

87

13

| 402)

21

40

of this, co-products

14

Nutrient balance

-7

-56

| -9

-21

40

20

Nutrient balance without mineral fertiliser

-7

-56

| -9

-21

-40

-7

1) Clover removed
2) Clover remains on field
3) 20 t ha-1 manure on potatoes and silage maize, 10 t ha-1 as top-dressing on winter rye and triticale
4) 240 kg ha-1 Patentkali as an annual rotation average

Source: Dittmann B., Zimmer J.: LVFL Brandenburg, Gterfelde, 2008

As is apparent from the nutrient balance, if there is no supplementation from mineral fertiliser, the application
of only manure results in phosphate and potassium deficiencies, while operations without any livestock suffer
deficiencies of all nutrients. Even though it is possible to positively influence these balances by crop selection,
such as by raising the proportion of N-fixating legumes, in order to increase the N-balance. However, this is
not sufficient for balancing the needs within the crop rotation. It also needs to be taken into consideration that
the legume-proportion within the crop rotation may not be increased indefinitely. Next to raised costs for seed,
there are also crop protection and agricultural aspects to take into account when growing more legumes
The soil levels of potassium, magnesium and phosphorus are continuously reduced by a non-livestock based
system. Soil analysis before and after one full crop rotation has shown that the soils potassium content is
seriously depleted as a result of several years of K-removal. Not only does this jeopardise the potential crop

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yield but results in degredation of the soil fertility in the longer term and therefore reduces the efficiency of the
entire farm system.
In order to avoid this, soil analyses need to be conducted periodically. This helps to detect nutrient
deficiencies early on, so that mineral fertiliser may be applied in compliance with the EU-Eco Regulation and
the local associations governing organic agriculture. Another important topic is the supply of sulphur. Due to
efforts made to purify the air, S supply from the air has been reduced considerably. Sulphur return from liquid
manure only applies to livestock-operations; while only 5-10% is actually available during the given vegetation
period. For this reason, sulphur deficiency has become a major yield-limiting factor in many areas. Sulphur is
essential for the yield and the quality of oilseeds, legumes, onions, leeks and other crops.

Recommendations for Fertilisation in Organic Agriculture

The approval of fertilisers in organic agriculture is governed by European Council regulation No 834/2007 and
No 889/2008, which among others lists the following fertilisers as admissible:
Recommended Soil Conditioners
Patentkali is excellent for balancing the nutrients potassium and magnesium for field and vegetable
crops. This is particularly important for potassium-loving species (rape, potatoes, sugar beet, maize,
vegetables). Due to its extremely low chloride content, Patentkali is particularly suitable for chloridesensitive crops. This fertiliser was already termed an ingenious, or patent, potassium fertiliser and
recommended by Rudolf Steiner.
Patentkali
Magnesia-Kainit is a uniquely and naturally formed fertiliser, with a high proportion of raw salts, making
it an excellent, sodium-rich balancing product for pastureland. Application of Magnesia-Kainit helps to
prevent fertility disorders and greatly improves the palatability of forage.
Magnesia-Kainit
ESTA Kieserit gran. for soils and crops requiring magnesium and sulphur. It is effective independent
of the soils pH, with fully water soluble nutrients.
ESTA Kieserit gran
KALISOP (Sulphate of Potash) for soils and crops requiring magnesium and sulphur. It is effective
independent of the soils pH, with fully water soluble nutrients.
KALISOP

Recommended Foliar Fertilisers

EPSO Top is used in case of acute magnesium and sulphur deficiency, as an immediately effective foliar
fertiliser. It is also suitable for `fertigation(fertilising irrigation).
EPSO Top
EPSO Microtop is recommended in case of acute magnesium and sulphur deficiency, with
simultaneous lack of boron and manganese.
EPSO Microtop
EPSO Combitop is an ideal foliar fertiliser for cereals and maize, in case magnesium and sulphur, but
also manganese (4%) and zinc (1%) are required.
EPSO Combitop
HORTISUL is a highly concentrated potassium fertiliser in a sulphate form, which is particularly
beneficial for the quality of the harvested crops. It is ideal for chloride- and salt-sensitive species. Perfect

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for fertilising greenhouse and cloche vegetables, fruit and ornamental plants.
HORTISUL

2013 K+S KALI GmbH - Bertha-von-Suttner-Str. 7 - 34131 Kassel - Phone: +49 561 9301 0

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