Evaluate [i.e. Evaluation of] the effect of an organo-mineral fertilizer (RecOrgFert) produced by recovered sulphur and orange wastes on lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L.) in pots in greenhouse

Abstract

Feeding a rapidly growing population has become more and more of an issue in the last few years. A decrease in clean water available for irrigation, soil poisoning, destruction of already limited agricultural space, and the increased observation of extreme natural phenomena such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns attributed to climate change are only a few issues farmers around the world have to face. All these obstacles naturally lead to a sharp decrease in people wanting to pursue an agricultural career, leaving even established farmers and land owners vulnerable and shouldering the burden of providing sustenance for the ever-expanding population. Furthermore, it’s important to note that many of the agricultural methods that the human race has been using for the past several decades, especially in conventional agriculture, have been proven time and time again that, while effective in some aspects, the further and constant use of them only leads to additional exploitation of nature, most times without giving back enough resources and time for it to recover and rebuild itself. This, in turn, means that the ground and environment become less reliable, leading to smaller yields, complete destruction of ground suitable for farming, and overall an increasing need for methods to manage to averse these symptoms. This, of course, only leads farmers to use more and more fertilizers in an attempt to save their production, allowing the brutal, vicious cycle to continue. Thus, in the current era, and with the technology and knowledge we hold, it is ever more important to find ways to co-exist with the rest of nature and allow it to heal while also keeping the population fed. One of the few ways that has been suggested to combat those issues is to stop relying so much on chemical pesticides and fertilizers and start using organic fertilizers instead, minimizing the waste that is already rampant in the agricultural sector, and giving nutrients back to land, allowing it to recover and become more fertile in the long run.