Organic farming in
the conventional sense of using natural methods like permaculture and
integrated animal husbandry practices have shown that depleted soils can be
coaxed back into life. The process is long and slow; for after all nurturing
nature cannot be hastened.
Technology has
answers; though not in its fullest sense. The primary result of soil analysis
does give an accurate picture of the mineral content of the soil. The essential
nutrients that these minerals are supposed to give for the plants are also
calculated. What is lacking is the delivery mechanism.
In its natural state
fertile soil is blessed with micro-organisms; these micro-organisms help the
plants to assimilate the minerals (which the micro-organisms convert from dead
organic matter) and various nutrients. The accuracy of the nutrients that the
plant assimilates is a complex reaction of photosynthesis (the conversion of
sunlight or light energy to a chemical energy) that fuels all of the plant's
activities. This complexity is the source for essential nutrients for
the various parts of the plant. For example polysaccharides (type of
carbohydrates like cellulose) are circulated throughout the plant while at the
same time a portion of it flows back into the soil through the root system
(like a two way highway) for production of fulvic acids. This being complex is
also life threatening as this circuitous route is akin to an electric circuit.
Any imbalance in the system can cause adverse reactions leading to fatal
consequences for the plant.
So two things become
very clear for healthy plant growth; accurate nutrition in
the quantities specified and essential nutrients delivered
at the proper time. A few organizations devoted to organic farming supplements have
been quite successful in creating a water soluble mix that contains the desired
nutrients both qualitatively and quantitatively. Being water soluble enables
the root system of the plant for the correct uptake.
