Podcast Summary: “Qué sabemos del abono”

Podcast: Más de uno
Host: Onda Cero
Air Date: April 14, 2026
Featured Guests:

• Sergio Atarés (CEO, Fertinagro Biotech, Doctor en Unificación energética y Energías renovables)
• Marcos Garcés (agricultor y ganadero en Bañón, Teruel)

Overview

This episode of “Más de uno” delves into the world of fertilizers (“abono”), exploring their crucial role in feeding the world's population, how geopolitical events threaten supply, the evolution from natural to synthetic fertilizers, and how farmers today balance efficiency, sustainability, and adaptation to climate challenges. Host Carlos Alsina, together with his co-host and two expert guests, offers both depth and humor in unpacking the science, history, and day-to-day realities of fertilizing the land.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Geopolitical Crisis and Fertilizer Supply

[00:05–01:06]

• The blockade of the Strait of Ormuz is severely impacting global energy and fertilizer markets.
• “Ormuz es... un paso estratégico... cerca del 30% de la urea y de los nutrientes nitrogenados que se utilizan en todo el mundo para fabricar fertilizantes transitan por este paso marítimo.” – Host (00:23)
• Fertilizers, primarily reliant on natural gas, are vital for global agriculture; any disruption raises fears of a food crisis.

2. Historical Perspective: From Guano to Chemicals

[01:06–04:01]

• Pre-chemical fertilizer era: agriculture relied on natural sources like guano (Peru), Chilean nitrate, bones.
• Remarkable (even macabre) history:
  • “Los ingleses... desenterraron más de 3 millones de esqueletos... de soldados y caballos muertos en las guerras napoleónicas para enviarlos en barco... para usarlos como fertilizante...” – B (02:52)
  • “Los cráneos de más de 30 millones de bisontes... recogidos uno a uno por colonos pobres e indios desarrapados para venderlos al sindicato de huesos de Dakota del Norte...” – B (03:27)
• The Green Revolution: With chemical fertilizers, humanity skyrocketed from 2 to 7 billion people in about a century.

3. Types and Evolution of Fertilizers

[04:01–09:05]

• Fertilization isn't just for farms—city-dwellers too might need to nourish their window-boxes.
• Chemical (mineral/industrial) fertilizers revolutionized productivity but now, innovation is shifting toward efficiency and ecological balance.
• “Estamos viviendo una transición... pasamos de fertilizantes minerales a bioestimulantes, biofertilizantes para depender menos de esos recursos...” – Sergio Atarés (08:18)

4. The Role of Soil Biology and Biofertilizers

[09:05–12:04]

• Healthy soil is teeming with microorganisms—essential for plant nutrition and sustainability.
• “El suelo es el recurso natural más desconocido. Hoy una hectárea... puede contener 2.000 kilos de microorganismos.” – Sergio Atarés (09:14)
• Modern biofertilizers and bioestimulants aim to enhance efficiency, resilience, and independence from fossil-based inputs.

5. Matching Fertilizer Type and Timing to Soil and Crops

[12:04–13:38]

• Not all soils are equal; fertilizer must be tailored to specific crop needs and regional conditions.
• Fertilizer overuse leads to pollution; “el gran secreto es que por cada kilo de fertilizante mineral que usemos llegue más a la planta o lo mantenga más el suelo.” – Sergio Atarés (11:41)
• Efficiency and adaptation are key—mirroring water management practice.

6. Farmer’s Perspective: Innovation and Sustainable Practice

[13:38–17:44]

• [13:45] Introduction of Marcos Garcés, a farmer and rancher who emphasizes passing on sustainable, resilient land to future generations.
• “No se trata sólo de rentabilidad económica, sino también de que el suelo siga siendo fértil, especialmente ante el cambio climático.” – Marcos Garcés (14:17)
• Soil health is more than nutrients; it's about nurturing the ecosystem of microorganisms.

7. Analysis and Technological Adaptation on the Farm

[17:44–20:14]

• Farmers now need to be part-scientist: regular soil analysis determines nutrient levels and microbial populations.
• Collaboration with fertilizer companies/labs is vital for innovation.
• “Nos falta formación continua... somos los que nos hemos quedado en el medio natural... y estamos produciendo salud.” – Marcos Garcés (18:32)

8. The Science and “Recipe” of Fertilization

[20:14–22:40]

• “En fertilización menos es más. Es más peligroso el exceso muchas veces que el defecto.” – Sergio Atarés (20:15)
• Core plant nutrients:
  • N (Nitrógeno): Promotes growth/vigour, especially in early stages.
  • P (Fósforo): Crucial for rooting and flowering.
  • K (Potasio): Important for water regulation and crop quality later on.
• “Cada etapa del cultivo tiene su receta, tiene su menú.” – Sergio Atarés (22:36)

9. Practicalities: Analyzing, Timing, and Adjusting

[22:40–25:37]

• Farms use annual or periodic soil analyses, mapping yields and adjusting fertilizer accordingly.
• Timing the application (especially of manure/purines) depends on the weather—too much rain complicates distribution and absorption.
• Crop rotations and choosing crops like sunflower help sustain soil health and manage weeds naturally.

10. Closing Thoughts: The Unending Journey of Learning

[25:37–26:53]

• Technology, soil science, and ongoing farmer education are foundational to future food security.
• “Todas estas cosas también nos llevan a estar más fijándonos en el suelo, en el clima y en nuestro entorno” – Marcos Garcés (25:29)
• The infrastructure for more knowledge-sharing and continuous farmer education needs improvement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• About the scale of historic fertilizer sources:
  “Desenterraron más de 3 millones de esqueletos... para usarlos como fertilizante para la tierra verde y agradable de Inglaterra.” – B ([02:52])
• On fertilizer excess:
  “En fertilización menos es más. Es más peligroso el exceso muchas veces que el defecto.” – Sergio Atarés ([20:15])
• On core plant nutrition:
  “El nitrógeno... crecimiento y vigor... el fósforo... para enraizar y florar... el potasio... para el buen estado, calidad de los cultivos.” – Sergio Atarés ([21:29–22:15])
• On farmer’s identity and mission:
  “Me encanta... dedicarme a lo que me gusta... que mi finca sea ejemplo de una nueva forma de entender la agricultura.” – Marcos Garcés ([14:01])
• On the unknowns of soil:
  “Una hectárea de suelo en 30 centímetros puede contener 2.000 kilos de microorganismos.” – Sergio Atarés ([09:14])
• On the need for continual learning:
  “Nos falta formación continua... somos la gente que nos hemos quedado en medio del medio natural... y estamos produciendo salud.” – Marcos Garcés ([18:32])

Important Segments [Timestamps]

• Global crisis and fertilizer supply: [00:05–01:06]
• Fertilizer history and macabre facts: [01:06–04:01]
• Modern fertilizer types and transition: [06:52–09:05]
• Soil biology and biofertilizers: [09:05–12:04]
• Farmer’s perspective on sustainability: [13:38–15:42]
• Technical routine on the farm: [17:44–20:14]
• Core nutrient roles for plants: [20:14–22:40]
• Practical fertilization/calendar challenges: [22:40–25:37]
• The importance of ongoing learning: [25:37–26:53]

Tone & Style

The conversation mixes warmth, curiosity, and scientific rigor, blending everyday humor with expert depth. It’s both approachable for non-experts and insightful for those interested in agriculture, sustainability, and food security.

Final Reflection

This episode showcases the intricate, evolving, and sometimes surprising world of fertilization in agriculture—from global geopolitical threats to the microscopic life beneath our feet. With historical anecdotes, practical advice, and a resounding call for adaptation and continuous education, listeners are left with a newfound appreciation for the humble but essential role of “abono” in our world.