Advantages and disadvantages of manure and fertilisers
Answers
Advantages of Manure
In nature, decomposition of organic matter creates a natural fertilizer. Applying organic compost or well-aged herbivore manure adds nutrient-rich organic material to the soil, improving quality and texture. Adding organic material to the soil increases its ability to hold water; reduces erosion from water and wind; decreases compaction and crusting of the soil; and raises soil pH. A study at Virginia Tech comparing organic or inorganic fertilizers determined that organic fertilizer is the better choice. Creating your own organic fertilizer from leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps and yard debris recycles waste into valuable, no-cost fertilizer. Natural fertilizers are less likely to burn tender, young plants as they are less concentrated than chemical formulas. You may also want the peace of mind of knowing the food you cultivate is free of noxious chemicals. Natural fertilizers are chemical-free and can save you money.
Disadvantages of Manure
Natural fertilizers are slow to break down into the nutrients the growing garden requires. Many natural fertilizers, such as manure, seaweed or fish oil, are quite smelly and are too offensive to use on indoor plants. Gathering natural materials, such as seaweed, grass clippings and leaves, to add to the compost pile is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Distribution of nutrients in organic fertilizer varies. Organic materials break down at different rates, so the composition and content of organic fertilizer is never consistent. It is a misconception to believe that just because a fertilizer is organic, it is automatically safer. Organic fertilizer, if you apply it incorrectly, can contribute to surface and groundwater contamination, create a nutritional imbalance in the soil and cause salt burns.
Advantages of Fertilizers
Chemical fertilizers are made with synthetic ingredients designed to stimulate plant growth. Commercial chemical fertilizers have the advantage of predictability and reliability. Formulations are blended with accuracy and you can buy different blends for different types of plants. Commercial chemical fertilizers contain a balanced distribution of the three main essential nutrients needed for optimum plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Many formulas also contain iron, sulfur and cooper. The amount of the three main ingredients are listed in that order, by percentage, on commercial fertilizer labels as the N-P-K ratio. Percentages of trace minerals are not always listed. Commercial formulated fertilizers allow you to know exactly which nutrients you're giving your plants, rather than guessing at the composition of organic formulas.
Disadvantages of Fertilizers
Commercial chemical fertilizers are more expensive than natural fertilizers. They may contain ingredients that may be toxic to the skin or respiratory system. You also need to mix and measure them accurately. If you use too much, you can kill your plants. Chemical fertilizers can build up in the soil, causing long-term imbalances in soil pH and fertility.
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Advantages of fertilizers :
• They are quick in providing plant nutrients and restoring soil fertility.
•They are portable and easy to transport.
• Plants easily absorb fertilizers.
• Fertilizers improve and increase the productivity of many crops such as wheat, maize, and rice.
However, these are chemicals, and they have the potential to decrease the fertility of soil if used constantly. Furthermore, it also pollutes water bodies.
Manures and fertilizers, both are added to increase soil fertility and enhance the growth of the plants, but are distinct in some way or the other.
Advantages of Manure :
•It increases the water-holding capacity of the soil.
•It makes the soil porous and facilitates the exchange of gases.
•The texture of the soil improves.
•The number of microbes increases in the soil.
•The process of adding manures is known as manuring.
Manuring should be done at regular intervals, otherwise, the plants become weak. However, the use of manure has many drawbacks too. They can be rather difficult to transport and are not nutrient specific.