In modern agriculture, water-soluble fertilizers are widely used in both field crops and protected agriculture due to their rapid effectiveness and high nutrient utilization rate. In organic garlic cultivation, farmers are increasingly choosing water-soluble fertilizers as a nutrient source for topdressing and foliar spraying. However, some water-soluble fertilizers on the market carry the risk of excessive levels of heavy metals, posing a significant risk to food safety and the soil environment.
Ⅰ.Sources of heavy metals in water-soluble fertilizers
Heavy metals in water-soluble fertilizers mainly come from:
3.Unstandardized production process: Small manufacturers do not strictly control the screening and testing of raw materials, which can easily lead to excessive heavy metal content in products.
These heavy metals accumulate over a long period of time, and the content of heavy metals in the soil continues to increase. It is difficult to degrade them. Plants will absorb a large amount of them during production. Garlic cultivation will accumulate them in the plants and garlic bulbs, and enter the food chain through garlic sprouts and garlic bulbs, affecting consumer health.
Ⅱ. Current status of heavy metal testing in domestic water-soluble fertilizers
In recent years, China has tightened its supervision of fertilizer product quality. The results of multiple random inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and relevant testing agencies show that:
1.The heavy metal content of most regular brands of water-soluble fertilizers meets national standards. Source: "Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer 2016, 22(1):8-18".
2.Some batches of products from some small and medium-sized manufacturers have exceeded the standards, mainly in the arsenic and cadmium indicators.
3.The current standards for water-soluble fertilizers (such as NY/T 1110-2010) have limited requirements for arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium, mercury, etc.
Therefore, for farms pursuing organic agricultural product certification, it is particularly important to choose water-soluble fertilizers that have passed third-party testing. Appendix "Test Report on Organic Fertilizers Used by Qixian Zhenyun Qiyu Organic Farm"
III. Practical Experience of PureGarlic Farm
At PureGarlic Farm in Qi County, Adopt green planting and organic planting mode，we strictly adhere to the "zero fertilizer pollution" principle in our garlic cultivation:
1.We insist on purchasing water-soluble fertilizers，Organic fertilizer products that are free of heavy metals and have passed testing. We confirm product testing data with suppliers before purchasing, requiring that heavy metal content must be zero.
2.We carefully select suppliers endorsed by influential organizations, and the raw material production processes and production conditions are strictly controlled throughout the product production process, ensuring no heavy metal contamination.
3.We conduct annual crop testing to ensure the quality and safety of our organic garlic.
This practice not only ensures the healthy growth of garlic but also enhances the market recognition of PureGarlic Farm's quintessential Qi County garlic.
IV. How to Choose Low-Heavy Metal Water-Soluble Fertilizers
For organic farmers or farms preparing to export garlic, consider the following:
1.Check product certificates, inspection records, and delivery receipts to ensure the source is the designated manufacturer. Ensure traceability is in place to ensure accurate tracing should any issues arise.
2.Request third-party testing reports, focusing on the water-soluble fertilizer's nutritional content and heavy metal content like arsenic, cadmium, and lead to ensure compliance with import standards in the customer's country.
3.Prefer products from reputable brands or certified organic products, such as water-soluble fertilizers made from high-purity raw materials.
4.Perform on-site spot checks, especially before sending samples for long-term supply.
If you're looking for a scientific fertilization plan for organic garlic cultivation in Qi County, or would like to learn about heavy metal content standards for water-soluble fertilizers and how to choose water-soluble fertilizers specifically for organic garlic, please visit PureGarlic Farm， We specialize in green garlic cultivation and consistently use low-heavy-metal water-soluble fertilizers to provide consumers with healthy, safe, and high-quality Qi County garlic.