The Green Movement: Focus on Organic Science

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The Green MovementFocus on Organic Science

• Roger C. Funk, Ph.D.

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Government Definition of Organic Fertilizer

• USDA National Organic Program
• With the exception of synthetic substances
  included in the National List of Allowed and
  Prohibited Substances, all organic fertilizers
  allowed in the Program are naturally derived
  that is, of plant or animal origin. Sewage sludge
  is not allowed and no synthetic organic
  fertilizers are included on the allowed list.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Organic material such as manure or compost,
  applied to cropland as a source of plant
  nutrients.
• Association of American Plant Food Control
  Officials (AAPFCO)
• A material containing carbon and one or more
  elements other than hydrogen and oxygen essential
  for plant growth.

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Webster Dictionary Definitions of Organic

• Biol. Relating to, or derived from living
  organisms
• Chem. Relating to, or containing carbon
  compounds
• Relating to, or dealt with a branch of chemistry
  concerned with the carbon compounds of living
  beings and most other carbon compounds

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Biologically, But Not Chemically Organic

• Our bones and teeth are primarily a form of
  calcium phosphate Ca5(PO4)3OH
• Urea, produced by terrestrial animals and also
  synthesized as a fertilizer, contains carbon but
  does not react chemically as organic. (NH2)2CO

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Carbon-Containing, But Not Considered Organic
Carbon (C) Carbon Oxides (COx) Carbonates
(CaCO3) Urea (NH2)2CO
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Original Source of Confusion

• Prior to 1828, scientists were unable to bond
  carbon to carbon and there was a common belief
  that a life essence was necessary. This
  philosophy was known as Vitalism.
• The compounds were called organic to denote
  their origin.

In 1828, Friedrich Wohlers research initiated
organic science, which dispelled the theory that
organic compounds were fundamentally different
from inorganic.
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Scientific Definition of Organic

• Organic is the chemistry of carbon, and more
  specifically, the chemistry of the
  carbon-hydrogen linkage.
• Catenation is the formation of carbon chains or
  polymers, the basis for organic chemistry and
  life on Earth.

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Unique Characteristics of Organic Compounds

• Of the nearly 100 natural elements, only carbon
  can catenate and form stable, multiple covalent
  bonds at ordinary temperatures and pressures on
  Earth.
• The energy stored in the covalent bonds of carbon
  polymers is released by cellular respiration, a
  form of chemical burning.
• Organisms (microorganisms, plants, animals) use
  this energy for cellular activity.

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Origin of Carbon

• All carbon on Earth was formed in the cauldrons
  of stars larger than our sun and captured during
  the formation of our solar system.
• Carbon can neither be created nor destroyed, only
  recycled.

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Carbon Cycling
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Photosynthesis

• The process within chloroplasts by which green
  plants use the energy from sunlight to combine
  carbon dioxide and water to produce organic
  compounds, especially sugar, and release oxygen.
  A simplification of the process is summarized
  below
• Carbon Dioxide Water Light Energy
  Sugar Oxygen
• 6 CO2 12 H2O
  Light Energy C6H12O6 O2

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Respiration

• The process within mitochondria by which plants,
  animals and microorganisms react oxygen with
  sugar to produce the high energy compound
  Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and release water
  and carbon dioxide. A simplification of the
  process is summarized below
• Sugar Oxygen Chemical Energy
  Carbon Dioxide Water
• C6H12O6 O2 Chemical Energy
  6 CO2 12 H2O

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Synthesis

• The combination of two or more parts by design or
  natural processes. A Synthetic compound is
  produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis.
• Plants, animals and microorganisms synthesize the
  chemicals they need for their life processes from
  sugar provided by plants (either directly or
  indirectly) with the mineral elements from the
  soil.
• Sugar mineral elements proteins, DNA,
  ATP, etc.

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Plant Nutrient Overview
Water
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What is the difference between organic and
inorganic fertilizers?
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Coated or Slow Release Fertilizers
Urea
Sulfur, polymer or other slowly soluble coating
slows nutrient release but is not an energy
source for microorganisms
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Comparison of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers
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Comparison of Synthetic and Natural Organic
Fertilizers
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How organic matter improves soil and plant growth
H2O CO2
Microbial Decomposition

• Raw Organic Material
• Secretions
• Soil aggregation
• Plant Defense
• Filamentous growth extends root influence
• Nutrient release

• Stable Humic Material
• Soil Aggregation
• Nutrient retention
• Moisture retention

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Active Sites in Stable Organic Matter
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Root Response to Natural and Synthetic Organic
Amendments