Fertilizer: chemical or organic?

Chemical fertilization
Artificial fertilizers consist in nutrient rich, water-soluble salts. They are integrated to the irrigation water, which the plants later absorb. This form of fertilizer is very practical to use, but its biggest disadvantage is the rain: if it rains heavily shortly after the fertilization, the newly distributed product could be overdiluted, therefore depriving our plants from the needed nutrients and time for absorption. Furthermore, although artificial fertilizers have the advantage of speed, they could also cause chemical imbalances in the soil.

Chemical fertilizers are not a suitable permanent solution for the garden: their use in the long run leads to the deterioration of soil properties. Through time, water and nutrient retention decreases, the soil ecosystem is altered, and the humus is degraded. This also leads to a possible deterioration of aeration and rooting: soil fertility decreases because it is deprived of its most needed nutrients. In addition, improper application can lead to leaching, over-fertilization, and most importantly, changes in pH, which is a crucial factor in nutritional uptake.

Organic fertilization
At first glance, chemical fertilizers are attractive to many consumers, mostly due to their low prices and quick effects. But only organic fertilization promotes the well-being of the soil ecosystem and the maintenance of a good soil structure.

Organic fertilizers are exclusively composed by herbal or animal ingredients. Organic manure has a delayed, but long-lasting fertilizing effect, as it releases its nutrients only after the manure has been broken down and dissolved by the microorganisms already present in the soil. Nutrient release takes place following the natural life process and needs of the plants, during their growth, thus obtaining an optimal supply for a vigorous and healthy growth.

The manure of Biogas Wipptal
Biogas Wipptal’s biwi-bio pellets consist of dried, anaerobically fermented cow or cattle manure from local farms, without any added KO ferments: such as wheat, corn or chemical additives. After their application, the nutrients are released to the plants through a natural mineralization of the soil. Since the pellets have a maximum water content of 10 to 12%, they do not stick together and can be easily spread and distributed. They are also ideal to be stored for a long time, due to their solid and compact state. In addition, they are suitable to be used on private balcony flower beds and in home gardens. Lastly, the pellets are also odourless, free of weed seeds and pests.

Biogas Wipptal converts manure and slurry into fertilizer through a fermentation process and, at the same time, it produces BioLNG, a natural fuel. Biogas Wipptal differs from conventional biogas plants, as it purifies the water portion extracted from the fermented manure, by means of a reverse osmosis system, and introduces it back into the river. The liquid concentrate obtained, is used as a liquid fertilizer in agriculture. The solid component, obtained from the fermentation residue, is processed into organic fertilizing pellets. Excessive fertilization of agricultural land can thus be avoided, therefore protecting and preserving our groundwater.