Differentiate between Manure and fertilizers.
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Answer:
Manures are obtained from natural sources, whereas fertilisers are synthetically manufactured in the factories. Manures are eco-friendly, whereas fertilisers harm the useful microbes present in the soil and also decrease the soil fertility if used for a longer time.
Manuring is the process of addition of natural or chemical sources of nutrients for the crop. Natural sources include dead wastes of plants, humans and animals, excreta and other wastes. These on decomposition give organic products called organic manure or simply manure.
Manure improves the water holding capacity, aeration, and texture of the soil. These lead to the development of a new method of farming called organic farming where only organic fertilisers, pesticides, etc. are used.
Fertilisers are chemical compounds which include salts or organic compounds like urea, ammonium sulfate, sodium nitrate etc. They are the sources of plant nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Fertilisers are commercial products mainly manufactured in factories. They have enhanced the yield spontaneously.
Chemical fertilisers should be used in optimum amount with great care. Their excess use may lead to soil infertility, water pollution, and even cause disease. Overall, it damages the crop. Hence it is advisable to use organic manure instead of chemical fertilisers.
Other alternative methods for soil replenishment are vermicomposting, crop rotation, growing of leguminous plants, etc.
- Vermicompost or vermiculture is the compost obtained by the activities of various strains of earthworms on organic wastes. These are used as manure.
- Crop rotation is an ancient method where different types of crops are cultivated in alternate years. This increases the mineral content of the soil. In some regions, leguminous plants like pea plants are also used in crop rotation.
- The root nodules of leguminous plants consist of nitrogen-fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium. These bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, thereby increasing its fertility.
- Soil replenishment is essential for the healthy growth of the crop.