Maximum Yield USA 2015 November | Page 68

BREAKING DOWN THE BOTTLE a form that is useful for plants. From there, the ammonia is transformed through chemical processes to other useful synthetic nutrients like calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate and phosphoric acid.” The Haber-Bosch process is the backbone of modern agriculture and represents almost 2% of worldwide energy consumption. Without this source of nitrogen, it would be impossible to feed the 7 billion people and counting on the planet. It’s examples like this that help shed light on some of the truly sustainable features of certain non-organic processes and products alike. One thing to keep in mind when using synthetic nutrients is that one of the most common mistakes growers make is overfeeding their plants. This can lead to nutrient toxicities and premature/frequent reservoir changes. In this scenario, some environmental contamination may occur when the unused nutrient solution is dumped. The best way to prevent this is closely monitoring your plants’ needs using meters and a trained eye in an effort to provide only what plants need and nothing more. Keep in mind that overfeeding can happen whether you are using organic or synthetic nutrients.   66 Maximum Yield USA  |  November 2015 Just because a product is not organic does not mean it isn’t sustainable, safe or effective. And just because a product is organic, doesn’t automatically make it safe. When used correctly, both synthetic and organic fertilizers are safe to use. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the ingredients in the fertilizers you buy, regardless of their classification. Choose products that have gone through adequate analysis and inspections to ensure their quality. Visit the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials website (aapfco.org) for resources that help promote the safe and effective use of fertilizers and the protection of soil and water resources. You can also contact your local department of agriculture for a list of registered products that have undergone the processes required for legal commercial sale.