organic fertilizer
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GC: n

CT: Many reports have emphasized the need for major changes to the agricultural system to meet the challenge of feeding the growing population while minimizing environmental impacts (Godfray et al., 2010; Foley et al., 2011). Organic farming, which largely relies on organic materials instead of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or other synthetics (Luttikholt, 2007), has been increasingly recognized by both researchers and consumers (Ma & Joachim, 2006; Chen et al., 2014). High-efficiency organic fertilizers can increase crop yield without depleting soil quality, making their application a means of supporting both long-term food security and environmental preservation.

S: PubMed – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7443080/ (last access: 20 January 2024)

N: 1. – organic (adj): 1510s, “serving as a means or instrument,” from Latin organicus, from Greek organikos “of or pertaining to an organ, serving as instruments or engines,” from organon “instrument”. The sense of “from or characteristic of organized living beings” (objects that have organs) is attested from 1778. The sense of “forming a whole with a systematic arrangement or coordination of parts” is by 1817. The meaning “free from pesticides and fertilizers” is attested by 1942. Organic chemistry is attested from 1831. Earlier was organical “relating to the body or its organs” (mid-15c.) and Middle English had organik, of body parts, “composed of distinct substances, possessing distinct properties” (c. 1400).

– fertilizer (n): 1660s, “something that fertilizes (land),” agent noun from fertilize. As a euphemism for “manure,” from 1846.

2. Any substance or material of value as a plant food (or containing plant food), derived or manufactured from matter of live organisms as distinguished from matter of mineral, or inorganic origin; the source of organic fertilizers are animal and vegetable remains and include manure, humus, leafmold, bone meal, cottonseed-meal, fish scrap, tankage, dried blood, slaughter house refuse, etc.

3. The terms «organic fertilizer» and «compost» can get mixed up.

According to the Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment (Second Edition, Five Volume Set), the term “organic fertilizer” refers to those organic amendments applied to soils, other than direct deposition of excreta by grazing animals, and includes animal manure, sewage sludge and compost, along with rendering waste, guano, brewery waste, digestate and other bio-wastes.

Meanwhile, the term “compost” is defined by TERMIUM PLUS as a mixture of organic residues (e.g. garbage, manure, trimmings from plant material, peat, and other degradable waste) and soil such that certain bacteria in the soil break down the biodegradable materials into organic fertilizer.

Therefore, compost is a type of organic fertilizer.

4. Organic-based fertilizers include three specific product categories:

  • Organic fertilizers. A fertilizer whose main function is to provide nutrients under organic forms from organic materials of plant and/or animal origin.
  • Organo-mineral fertilizers. A complex fertilizer obtained by industrial co-formulation of one or more inorganic fertilizers with one or more organic fertilizers and/or organic soil improvers into solid forms (with the exception of dry mixes) or liquids.
  • Organic soil improvers. A soil improver containing carbonaceous materials of plant and/or animal origin, whose main function is to maintain or increase the soil organic matter content.

5. The use of organic-based fertilizers in sustainable agriculture benefits farmers, growers, consumers and the environment in many ways:

  • boost both nutrient efficiency and organic matter content in the soil;
  • nurture the soil with organic matter that reduces dependency on chemical inputs;
  • restore and maintain soil fertility to nurture plant growth;
  • enhance the biological activity and biodiversity of soils;
  • enhance the quality attributes of produce as well as yield;
  • improve the efficiency of nutrient use to produce more robust crops;
  • facilitate the slow release of nutrients in response to the dynamic needs of plants;
  • boost the efficiency of water use to render crops more resilient and drought-resistant;
  • reduce the impact of farming and safeguard ecosystems by minimizing leaching.
  • enhance crop resistance to erosion by improving the soil’s organic matter content.
  • improve the efficiency of resource use by incorporating natural raw materials.

S: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=fertlizer and https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=organic (last access: 20 January 2024). 2. TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=abono+orgánico&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 20 January 2024). 3. SDir – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/organic-fertilizer#:~:text=Organic%20fertilizer%20refers%20to%20those,digestate%20and%20other%20bio-wastes (last access: 21 January 2024); TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=abono+orgánico&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 23 January 2024). 4 and 5. ECOFI – https://www.ecofi.info/benefits-of-organic-based-fertilizers/ (last access: 20 January 2024).

SYN: biological fertilizer, organic manure. (depending on context)

S: GDT – https://vitrinelinguistique.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/fiche-gdt/fiche/8353237/engrais-organique (last access: 20 January 2024)

CR: bioconversion, compost, manure, vegetable water.