Farmers strive to improve soil fertility to maximise crop yield. This is achieved by mixing manure and fertiliser into the soil. When we talk about manure, we are talking about the organic matter that forms from the decomposition of plant and animal waste, such as cow dung. Fertiliser, on the other hand, is a class of chemicals that can be applied to the soil to increase its nutrient level. If you want to farm, you should know how to improve the fertility of the soil.
What is manure?
Manure is a naturally occurring material formed when crop residue or animal faeces decompose. Farmers make manure by dumping animal and plant waste in open pits where microorganisms decompose it. After decomposing, the material obtained in this manner is known as organic manure. Despite the abundance of organic matter, there are few plant nutrients present.
Manure is thought to be especially beneficial for increasing soil fertility by improving soil texture, increasing the number of beneficial bacteria, and increasing the soil’s ability to hold water. Furthermore, manure makes soil porous, thus facilitating gas exchange.
What is a fertiliser?
As the name suggests, a fertiliser is a natural or artificial material that is rich in plant nutrients that are essential for the health, growth, and productivity of plants. It is applied to the soil in order to increase the yield of crops like wheat, maize, paddy, etc.
Fertilisers come in two varieties: organic fertiliser and synthetic fertiliser. Natural elements such as peat moss, bone, seaweed, and composted plant matter are used to make organic fertilisers. Inorganic fertilisers, known as synthetic fertilisers, are made of industrially produced compounds that readily dissolve in water and are immediately utilised by plants after being introduced to the soil.
Known about: Green Manure Crops
Varieties of manure
Green manure
The proportion of organic matter in the soil rises thanks to green manure. Such manures have extensive roots that penetrate the soil. These aid in the control of weeds and the avoidance of soil erosion.
Agricultural waste
Farming uses farmyard manure as a natural fertiliser and to strengthen the soil’s structure. The soil can hold more water and nutrients because of this increase in capacity. It also boosts the soil’s microbial activity, which helps the soil’s mineral supply and plant nutrients.
Composted manure
It makes the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients more effective. So, it raises the nutrient content, which enhances the health of the plants.
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See Also: What is peat? Why is it important in gardening?
Benefits of manure
- They are a good source of macronutrients.
- Make the soil more fertile.
- Cost-effective.
- Decreases soil leaching and erosion.
- Increases the soil’s physical qualities and aerates the soil.
- Increases the soil’s ability to keep water and nutrients.
- Manure produces methane gas, a byproduct that can be utilised for heating and cooking.
- Healthy crops are cultivated on soil that has been treated with manure.
Types of fertiliser
Organic fertiliser
Organic fertilisers are made from plants and animals and are natural fertilisers. It enriches the soil by introducing carbonic molecules needed for plant growth. In addition to increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil and promoting microbial growth, organic fertilisers can change the physical and chemical makeup of the soil.
The following goods are sources of organic fertilisers:
- Animal waste from agriculture
- Municipal sludge
- Industrial waste
- Manure from livestock
Inorganic fertiliser
Inorganic fertilisers are those produced chemically using processes that contain nutrients for crop growth. The following types of inorganic fertilisers are available:
Fertilisers with nitrogen
The nitrogen in nitrogen fertilisers is essential for the growth of crops. Nitrogen, a vital component of chlorophyll, aids in maintaining the process’s balance during photosynthesis. It comprises protein and is a component of the amino acids found in plants. The quantity and quality of agricultural production are both increased by nitrogen-containing fertilisers.
Fertiliser with phosphorus
Phosphorus is the main nutrient in these fertilisers. How effective a fertiliser is depends on its effective phosphorus content, fertilisation methods, soil properties, and crop strains. Phosphorus is an essential component of cell growth and proliferation and is found in the protoplasm of the cell. The phosphorus fertiliser helps the roots of the plants grow.
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Benefits of fertilisers
The following are some benefits of fertilisers:
- Simple to apply, store, and transport
- Due to its nutrient-specific nature, we can choose a specific fertiliser to supply a certain nutrient.
- Easily disintegrates in soil and is soluble in water. Plants may therefore be able to absorb them quickly.
- They quickly affect the crops.
- Boost crop production to produce more food and feed the big population.
Important difference between manure and fertilizer
The foundation for healthy crop development and output is soil. It provides the crucial nutrients and minerals needed for a crop to develop. The soil can replenish its lost nutrients with the use of manure and fertilisers.
Farmers utilise a variety of manure and fertilisers to boost crop development and output while ensuring that the crops are produced in a healthy manner. Fertilisers are synthetic chemical compounds produced in factories, and their overuse can harm crop development, degrade soil quality, and even deplete the soil of its nutrient content.
Therefore, it is crucial for farmers to apply fertilisers in the most effective manner. One of the earliest methods of keeping the soil in good condition is the use of manure, an organic material rich in nutrients that is both inexpensive and efficient.
A clear difference between fertiliser and manure can be made based on the following:
- In order to increase the fertility of the soil, manure can be defined as an organic material created by the decomposition of animal waste or crop residue. Contrarily, a substance (organic or inorganic) put into the soil to boost crop yield is referred to as a fertiliser.
- Animal and plant waste is dumped in open pits in the field to decompose before being used as manure. On the other hand, fertilisers are created in factories via a chemical process.
- Humus is added to the soil as decomposed plant and animal waste is transformed into manure, improving the soil’s capacity to hold onto water. In contrast, the soil does not get humus from fertiliser.
- Manure does not contain as many plant nutrients as fertilisers, which are far more abundant.
- Manure is slowly absorbed by the soil because it is insoluble in water. Contrarily, fertilisers readily dissolve in water and are thus utilised by plants right away.
- Manure is inexpensive since it may be made by farmers themselves, whereas fertilisers are pricey because they are made of chemicals in factories.
- Manure does not affect the soil in any way; on the contrary, it improves its quality over time. On the other hand, excessive fertiliser application can damage soil organisms and reduce the soil’s ability to hold water.
FAQs
Why are manures and fertilisers used?
Both fertilisers and manure are rich sources of nutrients that can aid in reviving the soil's fertility.
What are fertilisers made of?
Basically, fertilisers are made up of three distinct elements: phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. These three nutrients help the earth receive different kinds of nutrition.
How is manure made?
The breakdown of organic waste, such as discarded fruit and vegetable peels from the kitchen, human and animal excrement, animal urine, dung, or any other kind of agricultural waste, results in manure, a sort of organic material.
