Mineral and biological fertilizers – not competitors, but allies

In 2024 the global mineral fertilizer market is expected to reach a value of €150 billion. Annual consumption growth of 4% will be driven primarily by developing Asian regions, while in Europe, consumption may not only stabilize but even decrease. The main reason is the increasing restrictions on chemical fertilizers due to initiatives by the European Union and individual member states.

The market for biological fertilizers is growing significantly faster – by more than 10% annually. This growth is associated with the increasing demand for organic products, environmental guidelines, and the emergence of easier-to-use biofertilizers. While chemical and biological fertilizers may initially appear to be rivals fighting in a boxing ring, they can ultimately become perfect allies. Farmers should take advantage of this partnership.

So what should one choose – fast-acting chemical fertilizers or long-term biological products?

The best approach is to combine both aspects: speed and benefit. The greatest advantages of conventional chemical fertilizers are relatively easy transportation, application, and rapid absorption (especially nitrogen compounds). The main drawback is that, particularly under unfavorable climate conditions, part of these fertilizers is washed into groundwater or evaporates into the atmosphere. As a result, a portion of the fertilizers is lost, and fewer nutrients reach the plants. Additionally, the intensive use of mineral fertilizers alters the balance of soil elements and transforms the composition of soil microorganisms. For these reasons, mineral fertilizers are not utilized as efficiently as they could be.

"To increase fertilizer efficiency, it is essential to improve both soil quality and microbiological activity. The greater the biological activity in the soil, the more resilient plants become to environmental stress. This also improves the soil’s air and water regime, accelerates root development, and enhances the absorption of chemical fertilizers. As a result, fewer active substances are lost. Some of them are incorporated into organic compounds and gradually released into the rhizosphere (the soil layer immediately surrounding young plant roots), ensuring a consistent supply of nutrients to the plant," explains Jonas Ignatavičius, Innovation Manager at Nando.

To increase soil biological activity, in addition to traditional organic fertilizers such as slurry, humus, sapropel, or plant residues, the use of industrially produced biological preparations is rapidly growing. The market for biological fertilizers includes products of widely varying compositions, ranging from extracts to microorganism concentrates. The common purpose of all these products is to restore soil fertility, resolve metabolic imbalances, activate biological activity, and suppress the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.

The primary benefits of such preparations are clear: improved soil quality, increased yields, and enhanced crop quality.