Knowledge Base

Organic matter is the carrier throught which the soil nutrients become more efficient.The organic matter has a positive impact in:

1. the physical properties of the soil

a. Improves soil structure

b. Increases the porosity of the soil

c. Improves water and soil aeration

d. Reduces soil erosion

e. Increases soil temperature due to its black color (increased solar radiation absorption).

2. the chemical properties of the soil

a. Has a buffer action protecting the soil from large fluctuations of pH (adjusts pH)

b. Increases the soil's ability to retain nutrients. Therefore, it increasing the b. It increases the soil's ability to retain nutrients. Increasing the Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of the soil. This index has a great effect on the yield (%) of the inorganic fertilizers we add.

c. Binds, through its microorganisms, the atmospheric nitrogen and attributes it to the plants when it is degraded. A soil with a 2% organic content may contain 1% organic nitrogen, which can yield 8 kg of inorganic N per acre (Houliaras, Papasttelatos 1990).

d. Provides nutrients in the soil, which are essential for the growth of plants (macro-trace elements).

e. Converts nutrients that are inactive to the soil (eg phosphorus, potassium, iron etc) into active and thus available.

The carbon / nitrogen ratio (C / N), which plays an important role in the assimilation of plant nutrients from the soil.

• C/N>30: the nitrogen is immobilized
• C/N between 20-30: the nitrogen is neither immobilized nor released
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3. the biological properties of the soil

a. Contains a large number of microorganisms.

b. Creates the right conditions for the activity and development of soil micro-organisms

c. Activates the microorganisms that have already existed in the soil and adds many other microorganisms through organic fertilization.

The Benefits of Granular Fertilizers

• Εasier to store
• Slow-release granules help feed crops longer into the season
• More efficient for heavy pre-plant applications
• Fewer applications are needed

The application of zeolite offers a range of valuable services, such as:

• Increases the retention capacity of nutrients (the alternative of capacity amounts to 2,2- 4 meq/ g which is twice that of bentonite)
• Reduces nutrient losses due to gasification (nitrogen losses as ammonia) or water transportation (nitrites and nitrates) and thus contribute to reducing the amount of fertilizers used by 20-25%
• In combination with fertilization can help in gradual release of the nutritive elements so as not to have losses and on the other hand, supply of plants for a longer period
• Increases the water retention capacity, especially in sandy soils (zeolite retain water in an amount equal to 60% by weight of which gradually attaches to the plants)
• Neutralizes the acidic components of soil (raises the pH)
• Improves the soil structure, by decreasing the compression, and increasing ventilation
• Is a 100% natural product that can be used in organic agriculture
• Is ideally combined with active micro organisms in several applications, enhancing their activit
• As a direct consequence of all the above, increases and improves the yield of plants.