Eco-test experts Many garden fertilizers overload the earth

Most home gardeners like to use universal fertilizers to make their garden green and blooming. But many of these products seem to do the opposite. They give the earth more nutrients than it needs. This was reflected in a study by the magazine "Öko-Test".

Fertilizers give the soil more than it needs
As the news agency dpa reports, the magazine "Öko-Test" (issue 5/2015) found out that a lot of universal fertilizer gives the garden floor more than it needs. This excess of nutrients is not good for the garden. For example, too much sulfur can lead to acidification of the soil and too much nitrogen can strengthen some pests such as aphids. In addition, excess phosphates can enter the groundwater and cause excessive algae growth at the expense of other organisms.

Too much uranium content
In addition, the testers found that out of 20 universal fertilizers tested 13 more than three times as much heavy metals are released into the soil than they are extracted during a growing season. In addition, it was found that five of the products had a uranium content above the limit recommended by the Federal Environmental Agency. Also pesticides that come in through organic components were found in the fertilizers. According to information, one manufacturer stated on demand of "eco-test", the proven pesticides were from grapes.

Pesticides endanger humans and the environment
Numerous studies show how dangerous pesticides can be for humans and nature. Not only do chemicals threaten marine biodiversity, but they also play an important role in bumblebee and bee mortality, according to researchers from the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Stirling (UK) a few years ago. In humans, an acute poisoning with pesticides leads to symptoms such as dyspnea, dizziness, blurred vision, eye and skin damage, muscle cramps and unconsciousness. In addition, according to health experts, it increases the risk of cancer.

Nutritional information on packs often are not correct
When buying the fertilizers, the hobby gardeners can not rely on the nutrient information: It is said that the discrepancy between the measured values ​​and the information on the packaging are large. According to the testers, some producers did not inform about nutrients or heavy metals in the product, as provided by the Fertilizers Ordinance. Erika Brunken of the Lower Saxony Garden Academy explained in the "eco-test" that hobby gardeners can fertilize only after a soil sample as needed. Then the missing nutrients are given to the soil individually.

Six out of 20 products fell through
Such soil analyzes are possible in private laboratories or at the agricultural research and research institutions of the countries. As explained by the Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Saxony, the hobby gardener takes 15 to 20 points of the property for small individual samples, which are mixed by hand. Of these, about 300 grams are then put into a clean plastic bag, which is sent away sealed and labeled. It should be noted what grows in the soil - vegetables, fruits, flowers or lawn. Test winners were Living Garden Blue Fertilizer from Obi and Toom Blue Fertilizer / Universal Fertilizer with Magnesium. Of the 20 products tested, six underwent "poor" or "insufficient", and most fertilizers received "satisfactory" or "satisfactory" grades. (Ad)

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