Re: chilean nitrate

Ronald Nigh (danamex@mail.internet.com.mx)
Thu, 20 May 1999 13:36:47 -0500

Dear Rob,
Thank you for that information. (the date is IFOAM 1989). I think that the
idea that Chilean nitrate is "natural" and therfore good for organic
agriculture is a good example of the confusion about organic standards.
The "naturalness" we are trying to preserve in organic agriculture doesn't
refer so much to the "natural origin" of certain inputs as it does to the
effects of those inputs on the "natural" fertility systems of the soil or
the "natural" growth and development of plants and animals.

The only difference between Chilena nitrates and synthetic fertilizer would
be assoicated salts or the trace elements in the raw material, several of
which remain in the product after processing. Iodine, for example gives the
characteristic smell. Boron is also present. According to the IFOAM
report however the concentration of the is less than 3ppm for all. If
potassium perchlorate is not properly removed it can damage crops.

We have found that chemical fertilizers in the tropics can be more damaging
to soil
microorganisms due to generally higher biological actitivity in warmer
soils. Organic matter is decomposed more rapidly, etc. Perhaps damaging
processes move more slowly in colder soils and that explains its "doing
better" i.e. less bad.

Regards,

Rob Fetter wrote:

>Yes indeedy, but as of 12/1998 it was allowed (with restrictions) by at
>least eleven of eighteen US organic certification programs in a comparison
>of organic standards I am currently finalizing. Those eleven include two
>IFOAM-accredited programs (Oregon Tilth, which is phasing it out now and
>prohibiting completely as of November 1 1999, and CCOF, which prohibited
>as of January 1 1999). (Ronald, was the date on your quoted piece 1989 or
>1999?).
>
>Anyway, I think I now have a feel for why it is allowed by some organic
>programs - and why it *was* allowed, by most, until relatively recently:
>(1) it is natural, and (2) it gives a good shot of soluble nitrogen.
>
>One more specific question: does it work better in cold soils than some
>other nitrogen sources? (This is what I have heard before, but from
>not-necessarily-reliable sources.)
>
>Rob
>*****************
>T. Robert Fetter
>Research Assistant
>Dept. of Resource Economics
>Draper Hall
>University of Massachusetts
>Amherst, MA 01003
>phone 413-545-5716
>fax 413-545-5853
>trf@student.umass.edu
>
Ronald Nigh
Dana, A.C.
Mexico, D.F. & San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas
Tel. y FAX 525-666-73-66 (DF)
529-678-72-15 (Chiapas)
danamex@mail.internet.com.mx

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