Fish is a highly nutritious food. It is an excellent source of protein with fewer calories and considered better than other meat options. It is rich in omega 3 fatty acids which are proven to be good for the heart. There are many health benefits of eating fish. Its regular consumption helps reduce risk of various diseases and disorders. However, apart from these health benefits; fish can also be used to produce fish emulsion a mixture which is considered one of the best organic fertilizers ever created in such a perfect proportion of nutrients plants need most for their healthy growth. As such, it is beneficial not only for the humans but also for the plants.
A fish emulsion is generally created out of a byproduct of the fish oil and the fishmeal industries. Obviously, it is natural and organic. It is a simple process through which fish emulsion is produced using the waste fish samples that are subjected to intense heat by cooking until the muscles as well as the bones are tender enough. Cooking not only softens the components for utmost extraction but also helps get rid of bad and sharp odor from the rotting fish. There after few acids like sulfuric and phosphoric acids are added to the mixture only to kill off the decaying odor and help prevent early aging of the product. Now, the fish emulsion is ready to be used as organic fertilizer in the plants.
Fish fertilizers can also be prepared using cold processed which means the fish is converted through the grinding process and by the naturally occurring enzymes that continually break down the fish into a liquid. It is said enzymes are still present when you get it; so they are there to keep your soil alive. Unlike fish emulsion this process does not remove oils. It is screened through a mesh screen and has the consistency of chocolate milk and is very easy to apply. This process uses several species of edible fish and has no offensive odor. However, the fertilizers whether produced through cooking or using cold processed are all natural and organic, and very effective in the over-all growth of the plant.
Fish fertilizer normally contains most important minerals needed by plants. It is also known to contain traces of other essential nutrients. That is why; it is capable to promote proper development of the roots of the plant. This organic fertilizer is observed to be more effective when applied to the plants during the colder seasons, which reduces possible leaf burning. Other elements that are contained in fish emulsion also contribute towards over-all health of the plant.
Fish fertilizers are good source of nitrogen. It is usually composed of 5% Nitrogen, 1% Phosphorus and 1% Potassium. In addition to these three macronutrients, fish emulsion also contains micronutrients and trace minerals. Fish emulsion makes a fast acting foliar fertilizer. In fact, today it is one of the most common liquid organic fertilizers. Tropical plants with large leaves, including Alocasia, Caladium, Calathea, Canna, Colocasia, Ginger, Heliconia and others, benefit from periodic applications of additional nitrogen using fish emulsion. Leafy vegetables, such as arugula, lettuce and spinach and herbs, like basil and parsley, also respond well to extra feedings of nitrogen. As such, this mixture is perfect for use in perennial veggies and flowers, for all plants contained in the greenhouse and are best in promoting healthy root systems among plants. Its application is also believed to have the ability to help plants deter away insects that attack them.
Organic fertilizers are hailed these days due to a number of reasons. These are commended for their ability to improve the quality of the soil where the seeding is planted. Organic fertilizers also re-emphasize the role of humus and other organic components of soil which are believed to play several important roles. Further, organic fertilizers help air to move freely within the particles thereby enriching the soil as the nutrients are equally distributed.
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