Manure: Definition, types, uses, benefits and more

Gardening and farming are no easy tasks. They require plenty of supplies and just as much effort. One of the most common and important supplies required is manure, which helps boost the growth of plants and crops. So, read on to learn more about what it is and types of manure.

Table of Contents

What is manure?

Manures refers to organic wastes from plants and animals that are used to fertilise crops. As they break down, they provide useful nutrients. Manures may be classified as either bulky organic manures or concentrated organic manures based on the density of the nutrients.

Decomposing plant and animal matter is worked into the soil to improve its fertility and boost crop yields after the original plant or animal life has expired. The decomposing remains are a cheap and efficient source of fertiliser.

Farmers not only employ cattle manure, which is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other critical elements that boost the soil quality, but they also use human and animal excreta as manure.

It’s an all-natural fertiliser that won’t break the bank. Animal waste is an excellent source of the three essential nutrients for plant growth: nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Due to the organic chemicals and humus included in manure, it may increase soil fertility.

These are better for the environment and will save money in the long term. It’s a natural material that can be replenished again and over again. Natural resources are unharmed by these organic materials, and they are beneficial to soil health.

See also: Green manure: Types, planting, benefits and drawbacks

Common sources of manure

Manure can be obtained from a variety of sources. These include:

Cattle urine, dung and slurry from biogas plants
Droppings of sheep and goat
Wastes from human habitation like human urine, sludge, sewage, night soil and domestic waste
By-products of agricultural industries
Waste from the slaughterhouses like meat, bones, horn, fish waste and hoof meal
Weeds, water hyacinth
Crop waste

Types of manure

There are many different types of manures. These include:

1. Chicken manure

Chicken manure may be obtained for free from backyard hen keepers or purchased from speciality stores. Because of its high nitrogen and nutritional content, it is widely sought after as a fertiliser. Poultry dung has more phosphorus than other manures, which is essential for the growth of flowers and fruit.

See also: All about green manure

2. Manure from horses

Horse dung has more nitrogen and nutrients than cow manure, but it can be given to a garden right after it has dried up, unlike chicken manure, because of its 20:1 carbon-to nitrogen-ratio.

3. Bulky organic manure

Large volumes of organic manures that are low in nutrients are often applied. The most essential and extensively utilised bulky organic manures are farmyard manure (FYM), compost, and green manure.

4. Farmyard manure

Farmyard manure is the composted byproduct of feeding livestock roughages or fodder, as well as the faeces and urine of the animals. Most composted agricultural manure has around 0.5 percent nitrogen, 0.2 percent phosphorus, and 0.5 percent potassium. Nutrients are lost even when in storage via leaching and volatilisation. Losses can’t be avoided entirely, but they can be mitigated by better manure preparation practices on farms.

5. Green manure

Increasing the soil’s organic matter, this practice helps to reduce weed growth and keep the ground from washing away.

6. Compost manure

Water retention is increased, and the soil’s structure is strengthened via compost manure.

Read about: Green Manure Crops

Advantages of manure

It enhances edaphic elements (water-holding capacity) of the soil.
It makes the soil more permeable, allowing gas exchange to occur.
The soil’s texture becomes better. Organic fertilisers affect the soil’s texture and reduce the soil’s ability to wash away.
The use of synthetic fertilisers has a devastating impact on our rivers, posing a threat to aquatic life and lowering water quality overall. Hence, organic manure should be used.
A good amount of macronutrients may be found in these, which add to the richness of the soil.
It is cost-effective.
It increases the soil’s capability to retain water and nutrients.
It’s convenient to carry around.
Methane gas, produced as a byproduct of manure, is useful in the kitchen and the home.
Manure fertilises the soil, which in turn benefits the plants cultivated there.

See Also: What is peat?

Disadvantages of manure

Not all organic manures are created similarly. So, they can have different effects. Organic fertiliser is usually deficient in nutrients and since the nutrients are complex in the organic chemical structures, these manures may not offer the same effect as chemical fertilisers.Moreover, while making manure yourself is possible, it is a messy and time-taking process that usually offers inconsistent results.

FAQs

Is cow dung the most effective type of manure?

Cow dung is the most effective manure for gardening. It can also be used as a nutrient-rich fertiliser when decomposed and applied to crops.

How long does composting take?

Composting manure takes three months in hot, humid conditions. In poor circumstances, composting might take a year. Horse faeces compost easily. It takes 4-6 weeks to compost.

What is manure made from?

Manure is composed of animal faeces and urine and may contain livestock bedding, additional water, and wasted feed.

How to make manure at home?

Pot or vermicomposting may create manure at home. For pot composting, separate dry and moist kitchen trash into two kitchen containers. Start decomposition using dry leaves, cow manure, and buttermilk equal to the waste. Turn and add dry leaves every day for 30–45 days. Home manure is ready in 2 months.

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