Difference Between Manure And Fertilizers

Manure and fertilizer are used and added to the soil in order to enhance fertility and crop harvest. Manure is obtained from organic matter such as decomposed plant and animal manure, whereas fertilizers are manmade or naturally made compounds. When manure and fertilizers are given in combination, they increase crop production and at the same time also maintain and increase soil fertility by delivering necessary nutrients.

When crops are cultivated subsequently, the productivity of the soil tends to fall. However, this can be solved by mixing manure and fertilizers into the soil. This enhances the harvest while simultaneously restoring soil productivity. Therefore, manures and fertilizers are essential for effective crop production.

What is manure and fertilizer?

Fertilizers

In order to improve crop quality and production, fertilizer is added to the soil. Its production can be either synthetic or natural, depending on the source. The fertilizer also comprises a variety of nutrients, including nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium apart from micronutrients such as iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, and boron. Fertilizers may be delivered irrigation-style using injection systems, spreaders are effective in helping distribute the material uniformly, and stakes can be used to target specific crop regions. Fertilizers are mainly divided into two groups which are organic and inorganic.

Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are obtained from natural things like compost, manure, and plant residuals. When they decompose, the nutrients are released into the soil, giving plants with a steady and continuous nutritional delivery. Organic fertilizers can improve soil chemical and physical structure, microbial activity, and water retention capability. They improve soil health on a long-term basis and are environmentally beneficial. like cow dung compost.

Inorganic Fertilizers

Inorganic fertilizers are made artificially and include concentrated forms of essential nutrients. Inorganic fertilizers releases nutrient into the soil faster than organic fertilizers, reducing urgent nutritional deficits. Excess use of such fertilizers can result in soil erosion, pollution of the ecosystem, and nutritional imbalances.

Inorganic fertilizers are divided into the following categories:

Phosphorus fertilizer 

Development of cell and production is enhanced by its use.

Nitrogen fertilizer 

It is important to crop development since it has essential elements of the chlorophyll and amino acids that plants contain. It improves the quality and output of the crops.

Potassium fertilizer 

Resistance to disease, general growth, and overall health of the crops improves because of this fertilizer.

What is Manure?

Manure is a natural organic matter which constitutes and is made from various organic things such as animal waste and dead plants. It has the capability to enhance the fertility of the soil and improve crop production. It also comprises different important components like magnesium, nitrogen, potassium, sulfur, calcium, and phosphorus. It is commonly made from various natural things like organic water, decomposing plant matter, or cow dung powder. Using it for a longer time has no negative impact on the environment and neither does it cause any pollution. 

Manure is usually categorized based on its origin. There are three groups in which it is divided.    

Green Manure

Green manure generally helps in taking out the weeds and improve the soil’s organic matter. Thus, it gives a boost to better crop production. It also assists in maintenance of fertility of the soil and stops soil erosion. 

Compost Manure

Compost manure aids in supporting and strengthen the structure of the soil. In turn, it retains more water and nutrients. Thereby, the production of crops also improves along with nutritional value of the soil.           

Farmyard Manure

Farmyard manure enhances the soil’s structure and expands its ability to hold water, enabling the soil to hold more nutrients. Additionally, it boosts soil microbial activity, which enhances crop plant nutrition and mineral delivery.

Manure sources

Waste products from human habitation, including sewage, sludge, urine, and household trash.

Sheep and goat manure, cow dung, urine, and the slurry from biogas plants.

Meat, bones, hoof meal, horn, and fish waste are examples of slaughterhouse leftovers.

Crop waste and agricultural products industry. Weeds and water hyacinth.

The following are the differences between fertilizer and manure:

• Manure is naturally produced by the decomposing of dead animal and plant corpses.
• Fertilizers are chemical chemicals that are usually synthesized.

• Manures lack nutritional density.
• Fertilizers provide vital soil nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

• Plants absorb manure slowly.
• Fertilizer is easily absorbed by plants.

• Manures are created naturally in the fields.
• Fertilizer is produced in factories.

• Manure does not considerably enhance the physical condition of the soil.
• Fertilizer improves the physical state of the soil.

• When manure is applied in large amounts, it has no negative impact on the plant or soil.
• Fertilizer may damage both the soil as well as the plant if used in large volumes.

• Manure does not damage the organisms and increases soil quality.
• Fertilizer kills soil organisms and can create health problems in humans who consume the crops.

• Manure is cost effective and affordable. 
• Fertilizers are costly.

Aspect	Manure	Fertilizers
Source	Organic matter such as decomposed plant and animal waste	Synthetic or naturally occurring compounds
Composition	Contains organic nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium	Contains concentrated forms of essential nutrients, often including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
Production	Naturally produced in fields	Manufactured in factories
Nutrient release	Slow absorption by plants	Rapid absorption by plants
Environmental impact	Generally environmentally friendly, enhances soil quality and microbial activity	Can lead to soil degradation, pollution, and health issues if used excessively
Cost-effectiveness	Generally cost-effective and affordable	Often costly
Impact on soil health	Improves soil structure, fertility, and microbial activity	Can degrade soil health over time if used excessively
Regulation	Few regulations for application	Typically regulated for application

Frequently Asked Questions

How does manure differ from fertilizer?

Manure is a natural fertilizer put into the soil to boost fertility. Fertilizers, on the other hand, are chemicals that are put to soil to boost fertility. Fertilizers can harm the soil, while manure is ecologically friendly.

Why is manure seen as superior to fertilizer?

Manure provides nutrients to the soil while maintaining its fertility. It does not affect the crops negatively and leads to healthy plants. Fertilizers are those components when applied on a regular basis, reduce soil fertility. They also harm crops in the long run, leaving them unfit for consuming.

What chemicals are used in fertilizers?

Ammonium nitrate is a rich source of nitrogen and an essential ingredient in fertilizer production. Fertilizers also include nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, which are necessary macronutrients.

Which is better: fertilizer or manure?

Manure is a better option than fertilizer. Manure is derived organically and provides much more than simply nutrients to the land. They boost the activity of bacteria in the soil, increasing its fertility. Fertilizers, on the other hand, kill bacteria and cause health problems in consumers since they are chemically synthesized.

Takeaway

Fertilizer is chemical-based, thus there are certain criteria to follow when applying it to the soil. However, there are no regulations for applying manure to the soil. Furthermore, excessive fertilizer use can reduce soil fertility and contaminate water. As a result, manure is preferable since it is an organic resource that is safe for the environment and recycles waste from plants and animals.

• Read Blog – What Is Organic Fertilizer?