Modern agriculture faces the challenge of increasing productivity without compromising the environment. In this context, biological, organic, and ecological fertilizers have become pillars of sustainable fertilization, especially in Europe and Latin America. These naturally occurring nutrient amendments not only improve soil health but also reduce dependence on chemical inputs. Currently, more than 18.5 million hectares in Europe and 9.5 million in Latin America are cultivated under ecological practices, demonstrating the growing adoption of these green alternatives on both continents.

What are They and how Do They Differ?

Organic fertilizers and ecological fertilizers are often used synonymously to refer to fertilizers derived from natural matter (plant waste, animal manure, compost, etc.) that are used according to organic farming standards. In Europe, it is common to speak of ecological agriculture for what in Latin America is called organic agriculture; in both cases, it implies the absence of synthetic chemicals. These fertilizers provide essential nutrients gradually and improve soil structure without polluting the environment. In fact, a well-managed organic fertilizer “does not pollute soil, water or air, is low cost and can increase crop production by up to 30% without chemical fertilizers”​ This means that using organic fertilizers contributes to both environmental sustainability and agricultural profitability.

For its part, the term biological fertilizers usually refers to biofertilizers based on beneficial microorganisms. These products contain bacteria or fungi that improve the availability of nutrients for plants. For example, certain biofertilizers include phosphorus-solubilizing or nitrogen-fixing bacteria that are applied to the seed or soil to stimulate root growth​. In other words, biological fertilizers “are products derived from microorganisms… that are sprayed during planting”​ to enrich the plant’s environment. This bio approach goes beyond providing nutrients: it creates a symbiosis between microbes and crops, increasing soil fertility naturally.

In practice, organic, ecological, and biological often refer to the same general concept of natural and sustainable fertilizer, but with nuances: “organic/ecological” emphasizes the natural origin and certification for organic agriculture, while “biological” may highlight the participation of living organisms in its formulation. All share the goal of nourishing crops responsibly with the environment.

Types of Natural Fertilizers Available

There are several categories of organic/biological fertilizers, each with particular characteristics:

• Manure and guano: Animal waste (cattle manure, chicken manure, seabird guano) rich in nitrogen and other nutrients. They must be composted or matured before applying. They significantly improve the organic matter content of the soil.
• Compost and vermicompost: Resulting from the controlled decomposition of domestic, agricultural or pruning organic waste. They are balanced amendments that provide nutrients and improve soil structure. Vermicompost or worm humus is especially valuable for its richness in beneficial microorganisms.
• Green manures: Crops (such as legumes, mustard, rye) that are sown and then incorporated into the soil before they bear fruit. They provide fresh organic matter and nitrogen (in the case of legumes that fix atmospheric nitrogen) and help protect the soil from erosion.
• Flours and organic amendments: By-products such as bone meal (rich in phosphorus and calcium), blood meal, neem cake, fish meal, among others, that provide specific nutrients. For example, bone meal releases phosphorus slowly and neem cake, in addition to nourishing, can act as a pest repellent.
• Microbial biofertilizers: Commercial preparations containing strains of beneficial microorganisms. Some examples are Rhizobium inoculants (bacteria that form nodules on legume roots to fix nitrogen), Azospirillum (root growth promoting bacteria), mycorrhizae (fungi that increase phosphorus and water absorption) and Trichoderma (fungus that decomposes organic matter and can suppress soil pathogens). These biological inputs enhance the natural processes of the soil and rhizosphere.
• Natural mineral amendments: Although the term “organic” usually excludes the mineral, in ecological agriculture some naturally occurring minerals are allowed to correct deficiencies. For example, rock phosphate (source of phosphorus), agricultural lime (to provide calcium and correct pH) or mineral-derived potassium sulfate. They are not strictly organic fertilizers (they do not come from living beings), but they complement these by fertilizing elements that may be lacking in pure organic fertilizers​.

Each type of ecological fertilizer has its function. Many times several are combined: for example, a farmer can apply compost as a base and supplement with a specific microbial biofertilizer to maximize results. This synergy replicates what happens in natural fertile soils, where organic matter, minerals and microbial life act together.

Benefits of Organic/Ecological Fertilization

The use of organic and biological fertilizers has numerous agronomic and environmental advantages:

• Improved soil health: By providing organic matter, these fertilizers increase the activity of beneficial microorganisms and biodiversity in the soil. Over time, more spongy soils are formed, with better structure and water retention capacity. A soil rich in humus suffers less erosion and retains nutrients that would otherwise be lost by leaching.
• Balanced nutrition and gradual release: Unlike fast-release chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers release nutrients gradually as they decompose. This provides more stable nutrition in the crop cycle and avoids salinity peaks or root burns. For example, the nitrogen in composted manure mineralizes slowly, synchronizing better with the plant’s needs.
• Increased moisture retention: Organic matter acts like a sponge in the soil. A soil amended with compost can retain more rainwater or irrigation water, which is very valuable in dry climates. This improves the resilience of crops to short droughts.
• Reduction of pollution and positive environmental effect: Ecological fertilizers prevent the contamination of aquifers and rivers with nitrates or other leached chemicals, a common problem when synthetic fertilizers are abused. Coming from recycled waste, they also reduce the accumulation of waste (for example, reusing manure from intensive farms prevents it from becoming polluting waste). Thus, they contribute to the circular economy, reusing organic by-products that would otherwise be waste. Argentina, for example, sees enormous potential in transforming the millions of tons of manure from its livestock production into biological-based fertilizers, reducing environmental impact and closing nutrient cycles​.
• Food safety and certifications: Organically fertilized crops tend to comply more easily with ecological production standards, which are highly valued in international markets. Consumers in Europe and America prefer foods produced without synthetic chemicals, associating them with greater health and quality. Having naturally fertile soils allows obtaining certified “organic” products, accessing higher value market niches.
• Long-term agronomic benefits: Although the release of nutrients is slow, the residual effect of organic matter benefits subsequent harvests. It is often observed that farms in transition to organic may have some initial years of adjustments, but after increasing the level of humus, productivity stabilizes and even increases with less external input. Studies indicate that the combination of organic fertilizer with small doses of mineral fertilizers can be very effective: the organic fertilizer creates the basis for a more efficient use of any additional fertilizer​. In short, the intrinsic fertility of the soil is improved, something that chemical inputs alone do not achieve.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite their benefits, ecological fertilizers present certain challenges that should be handled appropriately:

• Slower nutrient release: Fertilization must be well planned, as nutrients are not immediately available. For example, applying compost or manure months before planting allows nutrients to mineralize in time. In fast-growing crops, it is sometimes necessary to supplement with rapidly assimilable sources (organic or permitted) if there are deficiencies.
• Lower nutritional density: In general, organic fertilizers have lower concentrations of N, P, K than a concentrated chemical fertilizer. This implies that larger volume doses are required. The logistical management (transport, storage, application) can be more intense. However, modern technologies are producing highly effective concentrated organic fertilizers. An example is the case of ECOGANIC NitroTech 16, a liquid organic fertilizer with 16% highly bioavailable nitrogen, which achieves vigorous growth comparable to that of a traditional synthetic fertilizer.
• Variability in composition: The quality of an organic fertilizer depends on its source and process. A poorly made compost may lack nutrients or contain weed seeds; fresh manure can cause phytotoxicity. Therefore, it is important to have reliable suppliers or quality controls (nutrient analysis) on the farm. Many certifying companies also verify the inputs allowed in ecological production.
• Regulations and certification: To use the term “ecological” or “organic” in agricultural products, the fertilizers applied must be permitted by the corresponding regulations (Regulation (EU) 2018/848 in Europe, national organic regulations in Latin American countries, or international standards such as those of USDA Organic, IFOAM, etc.). This limits the use of certain natural amendments that are not on the approved lists. Fortunately, the range of authorized inputs is wide and grows continuously as its effectiveness is investigated and new products are regulated.
• Less immediacy in results: Farmers accustomed to fast-response chemical fertilizers must adapt to a different management. Organic fertilization acts more slowly but steadily. The benefits in soil can take months or years to be fully noticed (e.g. increase in organic matter), which requires a long-term vision.

With good planning, these challenges can be overcome. For example, by combining different sources (slow and fast release), integrating biostimulants that enhance assimilation (as we will see later), and adjusting agronomic practices, productivity can be kept high organically.

Adoption in Europe and Latin America

In both Europe and Latin America, interest in ecological fertilizers has ceased to be marginal and has become a dominant trend:

• Europe: The European Union leads policies for a greener agriculture, with ambitious goals for conversion to ecological production. Countries such as Spain, Italy, France and Germany lead the area dedicated to organic agriculture in the region. In the EU there is active support for organic farmers through subsidies and training programs. The result is a mature and constantly growing organic market. Organic fertilizers in Europe range from artisanal inputs on small organic farms to advanced commercial products developed by the industry. Many European companies offer organic granulated fertilizers, humic extracts, microbial biofertilizers, etc., with certification for ecological use. In addition, European environmental awareness means that even conventional farmers reduce chemical fertilizers and add compost or biological products to improve their soils.
• Latin America: The region, with its great biodiversity and agricultural tradition, is also increasingly adopting organic fertilization. Countries such as Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil have extensive certified organic areas, especially in livestock, viticulture and certain export crops. Also in Central America and the Caribbean, ecological agriculture has grown, driven by market niches (for example, organic coffee, organic cocoa, quinoa in the Andes, etc.). An important factor in Latin America is the cost and availability of chemical fertilizers: in recent times, the volatility of international fertilizer prices (e.g. urea, phosphates) has hit local producers, encouraging the use of local sources (manure, agricultural waste) as fertilizer. An illustrative case is Brazil, where dependence on imported fertilizers (especially from Russia) led the government and the private sector to promote national alternatives. Investment is being made in remineralizers (rock flour) and biological fertilizers to reduce external vulnerability​. This movement received a strong boost after the geopolitical tensions that made chemical inputs more expensive, demonstrating the strategic importance of organic and biological fertilizers. In general, Latin America has great potential to produce its own natural fertilizers thanks to its livestock activity (great availability of manure), agro-industries (waste that can be composted) and traditional knowledge (ancestral use of guano, local composting, etc.).

Both regions, with their differences, converge in recognizing that nourishing the land in an ecological way is the path towards resilient agriculture. The increase in ecological hectares year after year confirms this direction.

Conclusion: towards a Greener Agricultural Model

Biological, organic and ecological fertilizers represent a paradigm shift in plant nutrition. It is not just about replacing chemical inputs with natural ones, but about fostering a regenerative agricultural system where the soil improves with each cycle and biodiversity is an ally of production. Europe and Latin America are advancing on this path, sharing knowledge and experiences that demonstrate that productivity and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Ultimately, adopting these alternatives leads to more living soils, healthier plants and balanced agricultural ecosystems. For the farmer, it can mean independence from costly inputs, added value in their products and the peace of mind of producing responsibly. And for the consumer, safer food and a protected environment.

At Ecoganic.eu, we understand the importance of these sustainable inputs. Therefore, our mission is to provide high quality ecological fertilizers that comply with European and Latin American regulations, helping farmers improve their yields without compromising the health of the planet. Organic fertilization is not just a technique, it is a philosophy where nourishing the land today guarantees the food of tomorrow.

Ecological Biostimulants: Natural Enhancers of Crop Growth

The search for higher agricultural yields with less environmental impact has led to the growing adoption of ecological biostimulants. These innovative products, made from natural substances or microorganisms, “stimulate plant nutrition processes” to improve their vigor and productivity​. Unlike traditional fertilizers that provide nutrients directly, biostimulants act as catalysts of plant growth: they improve the efficiency with which plants use nutrients, increase their resistance to stress (drought, salinity, extreme temperatures) and increase the quality of harvests​.

In recent years, the use of biostimulants has skyrocketed in both Europe and Latin America, reflecting a global trend. The global market for these inputs reached $3 billion in 2023 and is expected to double by the end of the decade. Europe has pioneered their adoption, but Asia and Latin America are projected to surpass it soon, with Latin America being the fastest-growing region in this area. This boom responds to the need for more efficient and sustainable agriculture, where every drop of fertilizer counts and every plant can reach its genetic potential even under adverse conditions.