Natural Fertilizers & Composting Techniques for Organic Farming: Complete Guide 2025

INTRODUCTION

Soil fertility in organic farming is built up naturally without synthetic chemicals. Natural fertilizers like compost, vermicompost, and bio-fertilizers provide nutrition in a slow and steady manner, improving soil structure and microbial activity.

It covers the best organic fertilizers one can use, everything about composting in detail, applications, benefits, and some beginner tips.

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1. What Are Natural Fertilizers?

Organic fertilizers are materials that are nutrient-rich, originating from plants, animals, or minerals. They release nutrients slowly and improve long-term soil health.

✔ Advantages of Organic Fertilizers:

Improve soil structure

Improve microbial activity

Safe to the environment and human health.

Increase water retention

Improve crop yield in the long run.

2. Types of Organic Fertilizers Used in Organic Farming

Below are the most commonly used organic fertilizers.

A. Compost

Compost is the decomposed organic waste; it forms the basis of organic farming.

Benefits of Compost:

Improves soil aeration

Enhances moisture retention

Provides nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium

Prevents soil compaction

Apply 2–4 tons per acre before sowing.

B. Vermicompost

Produced with earthworms (commonly Eisenia fetida )

Benefits:

Faster decomposition

Rich in beneficial microbes

Improves seed germination.

Enhances plant immunity

Apply 1-2 tons per acre.

C. Farmyard Manure (FYM)

Prepared from cow dung, urine, straw, and leftover feed.

Advantages:

Strengthens soil texture

Releases nutrients slowly

Cheap & easily available

D. Green Manure

Crops like Sunhemp, Dhaincha, or Cowpea are grown and plowed back into the soil.

Benefits:

Increases nitrogen naturally

Improves soil organic matter

Prevents erosion

E. Bone Meal & Rock Phosphate

Bone meal → rich in phosphorus

Rock phosphate → best for acidic soils

F. Bio-Fertilizers

Living microorganisms that enhance nutrient availability.

Popular Bio-Fertilizers:

Rhizobium: Nitrogen fixation in legumes

Azotobacter (Non-legume nitrogen fixation)

PSB – Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria

Mycorrhiza– Improves nutrient/water absorption

Composting Techniques for Organic Farming: ♻️ 3.

Composting is an essential skill for every organic farmer.

Here are the best methods:

A. Pit Composting

Steps:

Dig a pit of 3×3×3 ft.

Add dry leaves + cow dung + kitchen waste in layers.

Cover with soil.

Mix every 15 days.

Ready in: 2–3 months.

B. NADEP Composting

Uses a brick tank with ventilation.

Benefits:

No turning required

Compost remains aerated

Produces in bulk

Ready in: 2 months.

C. Vermicomposting

Steps:

Create a bed of dry leaves & cow dung.

Add red earthworms.

Keep the moisture at 60-70%.

Cover with jute sack.

Ready in: 45–60 days.

D. Bokashi Composting

A Japanese method using Effective Microorganisms (EM).

Benefits:

Very fast

No smell

Good for kitchen waste

Ready in: 15–30 days.

E. Mulch Composting (On-field Composting)

Apply dry organic material directly to the soil in order for it to decompose naturally.

4. How to Apply Natural Fertilizers Effectively

A. Basal Application

Apply compost, FYM, and green manure before sowing.

???? B. Top Dressing

Apply vermicompost and compost around the root zone during crop growth.

C. Treatment of Seeds

Use bio-fertilizers like Azotobacter or Rhizobium before sowing.

D. Foliar Spray

For quick nutrient assimilation, jeevamrut, cow urine, or fermented plant extracts can be used.

5. Organic Liquid Fertilizers (Organic Sprays)

Here are some simple liquid fertilizers that you can make yourself:

A. Jeevamrut

Made from cow dung, cow urine, gram flour, jaggery, and soil.

Benefits:

Improves microbial population and plant growth.

B. Panchagavya ☕

A mixture of milk, curd, ghee, cow dung, cow urine plus jaggery plus banana.

Benefits:

Improves flowering, fruiting & immunity.

C. Fermented Plant Extracts (FPJ)

Prepared using leaves such as neem, hibiscus, moringa.

D. Cow Urine Solution (Gomutra Ark)

Natural fungicide + growth promoter.

6. The Role of Microorganisms in Soil Fertility

These microorganisms convert the organic matter into nutrients that the plant is able to absorb.

Important Beneficial Microbes:

Nitrogen fixers

Decomposers

Fungal partners (Mycorrhiza)

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria

Healthy soil = millions of microbes per gram.

Conclusion

Natural fertilizers and composting are the heart of organic farming.

You develop a living soil system that produces strong and healthy, chemical-free crops by using compost, green manure, vermicompost, and bio-fertilizers.

Organic farming is not about feeding the plant —

It’s about feeding the soil that nurtures the plant.

❓ FAQs

1. Which organic fertilizer is best for organic farming? ANS. Compost and vermicompost are the most effective overall.
2. How long does composting take? ANS. Between 30–90 days, depending on the method.
3. Can natural fertilizers replace chemicals completely? ANS. Yes, with proper soil management and crop rotation.
4. Which bio-fertilizer is best for vegetables? ANS.The best combination is Azotobacter with PSB.
5. How Much Compost should I apply per acre? ANS. Produces 2–4 tons per acre, depending on soil condition.