[Terrapreta] Fossil-Fuel Based Fertilizers

[code suidae]

On 9/14/07, Jon C. Frank <jon.frank at aglabs.com> wrote:
> Sean,
>
> Can you elaborate on what you mean by this with some specific examples?
>
> SKB>The use of industrially made, [fossil-fuel based fertilizers] is a

I'm not Sean, but I can provide a bit of information.

The availability of cheap chemical fertilizers encourages their use
over more labor or cost intensive sustainable methods of soil
maintenance, particularly when it is not clear that in the long term
the practices associated with chemical fertilizers result in an
overall reduction in the quality of the soil. Often their use persists
even in the face of the knowledge that this is a self-destructive
behavior. Like an addiction, getting started isn't so bad, it's the
dependency that builds over time and the gradual loss of knowledge of
how to do without that is really insidious.

Anhydrous ammonia is particularly bad for the soil as it contributes
to the rapid decomposition of organic matter in the soil. This, along
with excessive tillage (which also drastically reduces worm
populations) greatly reduces soil aggregation which is important to
the development of good root structure and drought resistance. As
aggregates are decomposed the soil compacts, reduce aeration, water
penetration and holding capacity, and I imagine reducing the capacity
of soil biota to contribute to plant and soil development.

I think that one of the worst effects of heavy reliance on fossil
based fertilizer is that it prevents the development of sustainable
soil management systems. It is clear that the use of natural gas and
petroleum based fertilizers is a non-sustainable practice, as these
fossil fuels are non-renewable. With a large population relying on
availability of these fertilizers, and with a darth of working
knowledge present 'in the field' for effective production without
them, and without the systems required to supply the necessary
products on an industrial scale, any interruption in their
availability leads to serious consequences. Because of the nature of
resource extraction rates, its possible to become aware of the
necessity to change the system at a point beyond where it is possible
to do so without serious economic disruption.

DK
-- 
"Our ignorance is not so vast as our failure to use what we know." -
M. King Hubbert