Just as the health and fitness of humans depend on their nutrition, the yield of food crops from a piece of land depends on the nutrients in the soil. Farmers understand that the more nutrients they provide through manures and fertilizers, the higher the produce they can obtain. Manures and fertilizers act as conditioners for the soil, supplying nutrients that the soil may be lacking. Soil can be compared to an automobile – just as a car experiences wear and tear with continuous use, soil becomes deficient in various nutrients through constant farming operations. Manures and fertilizers help replenish these nutrients in the soil. This article will discuss the differences between manures and fertilizers.
Fertilizers
Fertilizers consist of macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are called primary macronutrients. They also contain secondary macronutrients like calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. Other substances in smaller quantities, such as iron, copper, boron, chlorine, manganese, zinc, and selenium, are also present in fertilizers. Fertilizers are added externally to the soil, either by mixing with the soil itself or by spraying onto plant leaves, which then gets carried into the soil. Various types of fertilizers are available in the market, containing these macronutrients in different proportions, allowing farmers to choose a fertilizer depending on their soil’s health.
Fertilizers can be natural (organic) or synthetic. Natural fertilizers are derived from plants or animals, while synthetic fertilizers are made in a laboratory. Natural fertilizers do not harm the soil or produce, but overusing synthetic fertilizers may damage the soil in the long run.
Manure
Manure is organic matter used as a fertilizer to increase the nutrient levels in the soil. Cow dung, for example, is natural manure that contains macronutrients and helps plants grow rapidly. These organic products are rich in nitrogen and other vital macronutrients and can be used whenever the soil quality is declining. Manures can be derived from animals or plants. There are also compost manures. Animal feces, such as from cows, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, and birds, contain elements beneficial for soil health. Some plants have these nutrients in their parts, such as leaves (e.g., Clover). Compost is a hybrid manure containing both animal and plant remains.
Key Takeaways
- Fertilizers are products that improve soil quality, while manures are organic fertilizers.
- Adding fertilizers in the correct quantity helps increase yield, and fertilizers can also be inorganic (synthetic).
- Manures can be added to soil without concern, while inorganic fertilizers must be added after carefully examining the soil quality to determine which nutrients the soil lacks.
