Understanding Fertilizers and Soil Amendments
Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, Guodong Liu, and Y. C. Li
Choosing the right fertilizer/amendment type (organic or inorganic/synthetic) can impact soil health, plant vigor, environmental sustainability, and overall farm profitability. This guide provides a comparison of organic fertilizers/amendments and inorganic/synthetic fertilizers/amendments, covering their differences, advantages, disadvantages, and impacts on soil to aid growers in making informed decisions. Written by Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw, Guodong Liu, and Y. C. Li, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, October 2025.