Macronutrients and Micronutrients in Soil

The primary macronutrients of soil include: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Nitrogen provides energy to the plant to allow vegetative growth. Plants that can grow fruits need plenty of nitrogen in the beginning of their growth cycle. Phosphorus makes plants more stress resistant, allows for fast growth, and encourages bloom and root growth. Potassium helps with the photosynthesis process and increases the quality of the fruit the plant produces.

The secondary macronutrients plants need include: calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

Calcium helps with strengthening the cell wall structure. One can get calcium into plants from limestone, gypsum, eggshells, and antacids. Magnesium is required as part of the chlorophyll in order to do photosynthesis. One can get magnesium from Epsom salt or limestone. Sulfur is needed to allow plants to create protein, enzymes, and vitamins. It also helps with seed and root growth, and strengthens a plant’s resistance to cold.

Then there are the micronutrients, which plants consume in small amounts. These micronutrients should already exist in the soil, so they rarely need to be supplemented. They are important for plant growth. The micronutrients include: boron, copper, chloride, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.
Boron helps in the production of sugar and carbohydrates. It is essential for seed and fruit development. Copper helps in plant reproduction and can be derived from copper sulfate. Chloride helps with plant metabolism. Iron helps in the formation of chlorophyll in the plant’s chloroplasts. Manganese helps in the breakdown of carbohydrates and nitrogen. Molybdenum helps in the break down of nitrogen. Zinc regulates growth and consumption of sugars by the plant.

A way to determine whether or not one’s soil has the appropriate amount of soils is to do a soil test. Simple soil test kits are available, which will measure the pH of the soil as well as the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium present in the soil.

Pros and Cons: Organic versus Inorganic

Organic food is food that is produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetics inputs such as pesticides an chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation , industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.

The pros of organic food:

• Organic food contains more nutrients than that of non-organic.
• It does not contain poisons found from pesticides.

The cons of organic food:

• Critics say that organic farming leads to the risk of contamination with potentially dangerous bacteria and mold toxins.

Non-Organic food is food that uses pesticides and other things to help the plants grow and so they wont be attacked and destroyed by predators.

The pros of non-organic food:

• Non-Organic food is cheaper and more easy to make. Therefore, it is more easily available to others.

The cons of organic food:

• There are over 450 pesticides used in Non-Organic food, many of which are toxic.
• Non-Organic food is irradiated to kill bacteria; the radiation can cause diseases in humans. 

There are a number of pros and cons for both organic and non-organic foods. Which one do you think is better?

Ethylene Gas and its Effects on the Fruit Ripening Process

Ethylene gas has a structural formula of C2H4, categorizing it as an alkene. This colorless and odorless gas is found in nature and is also man-made. Naturally, it is produced by all plants but mainly agricultural companies use this hydrocarbon to catalyze the vegetable and fruit ripening processes. Fruits, vegetables, and flowers contain receptors which serve as bonding sites to absorb free atmospheric ethylene molecules. Adding ethylene gas to a closed-container of any kind, along with a fruit or vegetable, will hasten ripening, aging, and eventually cause spoilage. Ethylene has been known to be harmful to vegetation—decreasing product quality and shelf-life. Albeit helpful, ethylene is flammable and in certain conditions know to be explosive. Along with its other stigmas this gas has also been know to have a slightly carcinogenic effect when synthesized with oxygen. To plants, its worst effect is depleting post-harvest life by approximately 46%. This then causes companies to spend more money on growing and shipping food, which can hurt the agricultural economy. Man-made ethylene gas has many effects good and bad, but ultimately shares the same qualities as natural ethylene. A good way to induce the ripening process is to place the fruit or vegetable with a banana. The banana produces the greatest amount of ethylene among all of the fruit and vegetables, and hastens ripening in an eco-friendly, productive, and sustainable manner.

Organic Pesticides

Organic pesticides are commonly regarded as a healthier and more “natural” alternative to conventional pesticides. However, they are less efficient, meaning a larger dosage of pesticide is required for the same effect. Organic pesticides are largely unstudied and longterm effects may be unknown.

“The consumer demand for organic products is increasing partly because of a concern for the environment,” said Hallett. “But it’s too simplistic to say that because it’s organic it’s better for the environment. Organic growers are permitted to use pesticides that are of natural origin and in some cases these organic pesticides can have higher environmental impacts than synthetic pesticides often because they have to be used in large doses.”

In the context of a small scale garden, such as the Santa Monica High School garden, there are a number of novel organic “pesticides” that may, or may not, ward of pests. This includes different foul-smelling substances that would dissuade aphids and other pests from the crops. 

If you’re looking for natural alternatives to the synthetic killers on the market, try using non-toxic household substances already in your pantry.