Difference between Manures and Fertilizers Overview
One of the main industries in every nation in the world is agriculture. Indeed, the majority of our everyday necessities come from agriculture. Farmers seek to raise the soil's fertility in order to increase the yield of their crops. This is accomplished by incorporating manure and fertilizer into the soil. In essence, manures and fertilizers are the substances that help the soil regain its quality and expand its capacity to hold water. Manure is an organic compound that is naturally produced, whereas fertilizers are artificially created compounds. Fertilizers are produced in factories using a variety of chemicals, while manure can be produced in fields in a more cost-effective way by microorganisms that help transform organic waste into manures. When we talk about manures, we're talking about the organic material that results from the breakdown of plant and animal waste, like cow dung, etc. Contrarily, fertilizer is a class of chemicals that can be put into the soil to raise its nutrient level.
Difference between Manures and Fertilizers
Here is a tabular representation of the difference between manure and fertilizer along with the basis of differentiation-
|
Basis |
Manure |
Fertilizer |
|
Meaning |
Manure is a natural substance that can be added to the soil to increase its fertility. It is made from decomposing plants and animal waste. |
Fertilizer is a material, either man-made or natural, that can be given to the soil to promote fertility and productivity. |
|
Preparation |
Prepared in fields |
Prepared in factories |
|
Humus |
It provides humus to the soil. |
It does not provide humus to the soil. |
|
Nutrients |
less abundant in plant nutrients in comparison. |
Rich in plant nutrients. |
|
Absorption |
Absorbed slowly by the plants. |
Absorbed quickly by the plants. |
|
Cost |
Economical |
High Cost |
|
Side effect |
There are no negative effects, and the soil's physical state really improves. |
The living creatures in the soil are harmed by it. |
|
Similarities |
|
|
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What are Fertilizers?
The following table will give you all the information you need about fertilizers, their advantages and disadvantages, and the types of fertilizers:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Definition |
Fertilizer is a natural or artificial material that is rich in plant nutrients that are essential for the health, growth, and productivity of plants. In order to boost the yield of crops like wheat, maize, paddy, etc., it is applied to the soil. |
|
Advantages |
|
|
Disadvantages |
|
|
Types |
|
|
Uses |
|
|
Safety Concerns |
Manure handlers are strongly advised to wear a gas monitor. When dangerous gas levels are reached, these monitors will sound an alarm. You can either buy or rent monitors. At the first sign of exposure to gas, pay close attention to your body and move to fresh air. These symptoms, which include difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness, loss of motor skills, and severe throat or eye irritation, are referred to as "body alarms." |
|
Examples |
Synthetic Chemical Blends, Minerals, and Compost from Decaying Organic Matter. |
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What are Manures?
The following table will give you all the information that you need to know about manure, its advantages and disadvantages, and the types of manure:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Definition |
Manure is a naturally occurring material that is produced when crop residue or animal feces decompose. Farmers place animal and plant waste in open pits to decompose with the aid of microorganisms in order to make manure. After decomposition, the material obtained in this way is known as organic manure. Although it is abundant in organic material, there are few plant nutrients present. |
|
Advantages |
|
|
Disadvantages |
|
|
Types |
|
|
Uses |
|
|
Safety Concerns |
Large amounts of inorganic fertilizer can harm crops and pollute the environment, though the latter has a longer-term, less significant effect on soil quality. If used too soon after harvest, they can also be harmful to those who eat the food. When using organic or inorganic fertilizer, always heed the producer's advice and directions. For reasons of health and safety, raw animal waste must never come in contact with any food crops for reasons of health and safety. |
|
Examples |
Rabbit, Horse, Cow, and Chicken Poop, and Bat Guano. |
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Key Differences Between Manure and Fertilizer
The following factors make it easy to distinguish between manure and fertilizer:
- Animal and plant waste is dumped in open pits in the field where it is then allowed to decay. On the other hand, fertilizers are created chemically in factories.
- Manure does not contain as many plant nutrients as fertilizers, which are far more abundant.
- Manure is slowly absorbed by the soil because it is insoluble in water. Contrarily, fertilizers readily dissolve in water and are thus utilized by plants right away
- As decomposed plant and animal waste is converted into manure, the soil is given humus, which improves the soil's ability to retain water. In contrast, soil does not get humus from fertilizer.
- Manure does not affect the soil in any way; on the contrary, it improves its quality over time. On the other hand, excessive fertilizer application can damage soil organisms and reduce the soil's ability to hold water.
- Manure is an organic substance that is created via the breakdown of animal waste or agricultural residue and is put to the soil to increase its fertility. Contrarily, fertilizer is defined as any organic or inorganic substance given to the soil to boost crop yield.
- Manure is inexpensive since it may be made by farmers themselves, whereas fertilizers are pricey because they are made of chemicals in factories.
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Points to Remember
- The man-made chemical compounds known as fertilizers should be utilized wisely because overusing them might harm the quality of the soil and the crops' or vegetables' quality.
- Manure is an environmentally favorable chemical that aids in preserving the soil's nutrient content.
- Manure serves to replace the soil with organic components and is a cost-effective commodity.
- Fertilizers are manufactured artificial substances.
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Sample Questions related to Manures and Fertilizers
Que-1. How are fertilizers made? (2 marks)
Ans. The three main ingredients of fertilizer are phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. These three nutrients aid in giving the earth various types of sustenance. Essentially, mining ores produces phosphorus. Basically, nitrogen fertilizers are created by combining the nitrogen in the air with the hydrogen in natural gases at a specific temperature under pressure. In essence, potassium is an agricultural nutrient.
Que-2. How is manure formed? (2 marks)
Ans. Manure is a type of organic material that is created by the decomposition of organic waste, such as leftover fruit and vegetable peels from the kitchen, human and animal excreta, animal urine, dung, or any other type of farm waste. Microorganisms aid in the creation of manure in this process. This is one of the most economical methods that also increases the soil's ability to hold more water is this one.
Que-3. Which is a better source of nutrients for the soil? (2 marks)
Ans. Both fertilizers and manure are abundant in nutrients that can help restore the fertility of the soil. Manure is a naturally occurring organic molecule that is created from natural materials like plants and human feces and contains no chemicals, making it good for the soil. Fertilizers are the chemical substances that aid in the humus provision and nutrient retention of the soil. The soil's quality can be harmed by the excessive use of these fertilizers.
Que-4. What kinds of fertilizers fall under the category of natural fertilizers? (2 marks)
Ans. Additionally, there are organic fertilizers, which are natural sorts of fertilizers generated from organic materials such as excreta from human and animal waste, leftover vegetable waste, and kitchen trash. They are placed in a single earthen pot or other naturally wholesome and secure container. They make an effort to give the soil and plants the same kind of nutrients.
Que-5. How are manures rich in nutrients? (4 marks)
Ans. Rich kinds of organic compost are created in the form of manures. One of the earliest agricultural strategies is the use of manure. Animal, human, and plant waste are used to create mmanure Due to their organic nature, manures aid in the provision of micronutrients. Additionally, it aids in improving the soil's ability to hold onto water and its nutritious content. The CO2 that is emitted throughout the manure preparation process aids in serving as fertilizer. Manures readily dissolve in water and are quickly absorbed by plants, providing a direct source of nutrition for them. Phosphorus, carbon, zinc, nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and copper are all components of manure. These nutrients are necessary for the soil and plants to flourish healthily. The organic carbon found in manure contributes to improving the soil's qualities. The water retaining capacity is improved. Nothing should be added to the soil in excess because doing so will entirely destroy the soil and the plant's ability to thrive.
Que-6. What is the chemical composition of the fertilizers? (5 marks)
Ans. Phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen are the three chemical building blocks that fertilizers mostly consist of. Each of these three elements has a different purpose in enhancing crop growth and preserving the soil's good health. In fertilizers, nitrogen is utilized to help plants grow more emerald-green leaves. It is one amongof the nutrients that is most crucial to the plant's growth. Additionally, nitrogen contains a small amount of proteins that aid in the growth of the plant's stem, cells, and tissues. Additionally, it is the component of the nucleic acid that plays the largest role in the construction of the DNA, which contains a variety of genetic data. Potassium directly influences the quality of the plants.It essentially determines the plant's health. It is a crucial element in maintaining the flow of water throughout the plant and in regulating the water pressure there. The development of the enzymes is also aided by it. The production of proteins also depends on it. The substance called phosphorus aids in respiration and the process of photosynthesis. The growth of fruits, flowers, seeds, and roots is aided by phosphorus. Additionally, it aids in fewer illnesses. In essence, all three of these nutrients aid in the growth and upkeep of the plants.
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Conclusion
Since fertilizer is a chemical, there are specific guidelines that must be followed while applying it to the soil. But when adding manure to the soil, there are no such guidelines to be followed. Furthermore, overusing fertilizers can deplete the soil's fertility and pollute the water. Therefore, it is preferable to use manure instead because it is an organic material that is environmentally benign and recycles plant and animal waste.