The Three Main Ingredients of Organic Fertilizer and the Role of Fermentation

Organic fertilizer, a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, derives its effectiveness from three core “ingredients,” a concept defined by two complementary perspectives: the essential nutrients it provides for plant growth and the primary raw materials that form its composition. These ingredients work in synergy to nourish plants and improve soil health, and their transformation into high-quality fertilizer is largely dependent on fermentation—a vital microbial process that breaks down raw materials into stable, nutrient-dense forms. Understanding both the key ingredients and the role of fermentation is essential to grasping the value and production logic of organic fertilizer in 2026.

From the perspective of essential nutrients, the three main ingredients of organic fertilizer align with the universal NPK framework that categorizes all fertilizers. Nitrogen (N), the first core nutrient, is critical for promoting lush, green foliage growth as a key component of chlorophyll, which drives photosynthesis. Phosphorus (P) focuses on underground and reproductive growth, stimulating robust root development and encouraging the production of flowers, fruits, and seeds—directly enhancing crop yield and quality. Potassium (K), the third essential nutrient, acts as a “health booster,” strengthening plants’ disease resistance and their ability to withstand environmental stresses such as cold, drought, or salinity. Unlike synthetic fertilizers that deliver these nutrients in concentrated chemical forms, organic fertilizer provides NPK through natural, slow-release compounds that nourish both plants and soil microbes.