Uses of Rock phosphate in organic farming and sustainable agriculture |

Hey everybody,

  In today's context we will discuss about some of the best uses and benefits of using Organic Rock phosphate to the soil.

The Rock phosphate is purely organic fertilizer and it helps to make non conventional farming without any chemical use. 

Using the Rock phosphate for farming helps in conservation of the soil and environment from the harmful effects of the chemical fertilizers.

Rock phosphate can be used for long run application for the plants as it is the slow releasing fertilizer.

First of all let's take a look at some macro elements needed by the plants for their efficient growth and reproduction.

• Nitrogen (N) is largely responsible for the growth of leaves on the plant.

• Phosphorus (P) is largely responsible for root growth and flower and fruit development. It is also used for the metabolic processes of the plant.  Phosphorus is used for vegetative growth and after the completion of the vegetative state it is used for the reproductive growth stages also.

• Potassium (K) is a nutrient that helps regulate important physiological processes or the functional processes in a plant. 

             Now let’s look into the difference between Rock phosphate and Bone meal fertilizer. Both are good sources of organic phosphorous for home gardeners. Bone meal is mainly used as a short term phosphorous supply where as this powder is used as a long term phosphorous supply, as it's slower to break down plus it’s a non leachable source of phosphorous and calcium. 

Many people stay away from using bone meal because it is and animal product, and this powder is the best alternative to bone meal for vegans. Rock phosphate also contains minerals other than phosphate in variable composition. Application of the Rock phosphate enhances the growth and yield of the crops because it increases exchangeable calcium and decreases Al saturation. 

Adding Rock phosphate to the soil enhances the carbon accumulation and the biological activity of the soil. See here the uses of Neem oil in organic farming

It helps to improve the fertility of the soil when used in right proportion.

Now let’s look into 5 important benefits of using this phosphorous rich fertilizer in gardening and then we also take a look at how much and how to use it:

•  1. STRONG ROOT SYSTEM: It promotes the development of strong roots throughout the growing stage of a plant and makes your plant healthy and high yielding by accelerating plant maturity

• 2. RESISTANCE TO PEST ATTACKS: a strong root system and a healthier plant means a plant highly resistant to pest attacks. Applying phosphorous at early growth stage of a plant will confer a great immune system and help resist pests. Pest attack can be also reduced by using Borax in farm.

• 3. FLOWERING PLANTS: Using phosphorous for the perennial flowering plants helps in the growth of the bud and inducing large and giiy quality flowers.It also helps in increasing the quality and quantity of the fruits when used in right proportion.

• 4. VEGETABLES AND FRUITS: Strong roots, healthy immune plant and more buds means more vegetables and fruits. One or two applications of this organic fertilizer in early growth stage is important to achieve this. 

• 5. IMPROVES Soil Structure and water holding capacity. This fertilizer is in Powdered form and hence can be mixed with soil and proves very beneficial while you prepare the potting soil before planting. 

• 6. EARTHWORMS and Beneficial microbes in soil are not harmed by the use of the organic Rock phosphate, infact the microbes in the soil are benefited by use of it.

DOSAGE and How to Apply: 

There are two methods to use this: 

• One way is to mix the powder in your potting mix along with other stuff like compost, cocopeat or peat moss and others. This is because for proper phosphorous uptake by plants, the soil PH has to be slightly acidic  and adding compost like decomposed cow dung or vermicompost will help achieve this task. 

•  The second method on to use this on potted plants and plants grown in ground or raised beds. First of all loosen the soil around the plant by raking or tilling the top layer. For potted Plants start with 1 teaspoon per container and then add 1 tablespoon after 15 days. For ground plants or raised beds start with 1 tablespoon per plant, preferably in its growing stage and then two table spoons after 15 days. And this one time application will help your plant throughout its stages of growth till flowering and fruiting.  

This is a natural mineral fertilizer obtained by mining from sedimentary clay deposits and rocks that contain phosphorus. Rock phosphate is a long-standing or slow release best organic fertilizer for adding phosphorus to your vegetable garden. 

So this is all about the the Rock phosphate and its uses in the organic farming.

Please ensure that, before using the Rock phosphate or any other fertilizer to the soil confirm the deficiency extend of the mineral in the soil. And use the fertilizer under the supervision of the experts