FiBL-Position Paper
Chilean nitrate and organic farming
(03.05.2005)
Description
Chilean nitrate (synonym: sodium nitrate) is manufactured from
sodium-rich rocks which occur in a number of locations, e.g.
Chile. The mineral deposit ‘caliche’ which occurs
in Chile contains 6-10 % NaNO3. To manufacture Chilean nitrate,
caliche is mined and crushed, then NaNO3 is extracted and crystallized.
The end product Chilean nitrate contains ca. 98 % NaNO3. The
nitrate ion, which acts as N source for crops, is identical to
nitrate from synthetic mineral fertilizers.
Necessity and Alternatives
Within the framework of concepts of plant nutrition in organic
farming (see separate document), N fertilizers are necessary
to a certain extent. At present, there is a whole range of
N fertilizers of plant and animal origin available, which are
authorized for organic farming. Thus, there is no need to use
nitrate fertilizers like Chilean nitrate.
Compatibility with concepts of plant nutrition in organic farming
The concepts of plant nutrition deviate fundamentally in conventional
and organic farming. In conventional farming, the farmer supplies
as many nutrients from external sources as the crops need. These
are often supplied in mineral, easily soluble form.
By contrast, organic crops should primarily receive nutrients
from the soil, which is regarded as the basis for crop production.
Only in case of need, nutrients from external sources may be
added. N is supplied in the form of organic substances, where
most N is bound to organic molecules. Such compounds “feed” the
soil (promote activity of soil micro-organisms), and become available
for crops only after mineralization by microorganisms.
Chilean nitrate contains mainly mineral NaNO3, and its effect on
crop growth is identical to mineral nitrate. Fertilization with
Chilean nitrate therefore corresponds to the conventional concept
of plant nutrition, but contradicts the organic concept of plant
nutrition.
Current regulatory status
Currently, all of the major international standards for organic
farming (Codex Alimentarius, GL 32 – 1999, Rev. 1 – 2001;
IFOAM Basic Standards; European regulation 2092/91 EEC) do not
allow the use of Chilean nitrate.
Recommendations
The use of Chilean nitrate corresponds to conventional fertilization
with mineral nitrate and might compromise the concepts of organic
plant nutrition as a whole. Because there are sufficient alternatives
authorized, we recommend that the use of Chilean nitrate is
not allowed in organic farming.
As of: 03.05.2005 |
