Plants prepare their food by the process of photosynthesis. In this process, plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide & water. Therefore, photosynthesis covers 95% of the plant’s food requirement. Plants require oxygen for respiration, just like we do.
All the above nutrients can be provided to plants by applying following fertilizers:
Organic fertilizers : All organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly & steadily over a period. Organic fertilizers are required to be provided in bulk i.e. larger quantities for an insured continuous supply of nutrients. They increase the humus content of the soil, keeping the soil moist & overall improving health & quality of the soil.
Cow dung manure : It is most commonly available organic fertilizer in India. Well, rotten cow-dung manure should be used instead of fresh cow-dung. Ideal cow-dung manure is black, moist powdered form.
Bio-Compost : Compost is obtained from the process of home or farm level composting. It’s either done in composter or compost pit. Compost is made from household green waste & farmyard brown waste.
Leaf mould : It is a form of compost exclusively made by the fungal & bacterial breakdown of dry leaves. Leaf mould is good quality humus. It is used as rooting medium for stem cutting & pot mixture for orchids & ferns.
Vermicompost : It is manure obtained from the disintegration of organic waste by earthworms. Vermicompost is moist, dark, consistent manure with a slow & steady supply of nutrients.
Chemical fertilizers : These are available in granular or powdered or liquid form. Chemical fertilizers are strong & concentrated, therefore they are provided to plants in lesser quantity.