Difference Between Manures and Fertilizers with Examples and Uses
The concept of Manures and Fertilizers is essential in biology and helps explain real-world biological processes and exam-level questions effectively. Understanding the role, types, and differences of manures and fertilizers is crucial for students, especially for agriculture-focused topics and board exams.
Understanding Manures and Fertilizers
Manures and Fertilizers refer to substances added to soil to increase its fertility and help crops grow better. Manure is an organic matter made by decomposing animal dung, crop waste, or plant materials, while fertilizers are either chemical or organic compounds rich in specific nutrients. This concept is important in areas like soil fertility, crop production, and improvement of food resources.
How Manures and Fertilizers Are Made and Used
The basic use of manures and fertilizers aims to improve crop yields and replenish soil nutrients for healthy growth. Here’s how each is made and applied:
- Manures are made by decomposing organic wastes like cow dung, farm waste, and plant residues naturally on fields or compost pits.
- Fertilizers are produced industrially (for example, urea, ammonium sulphate, NPK compounds) or by organic processes (like biofertilizers).
- Application is done either by spreading over fields or mixing with soil before sowing seeds.
- Manuring should be done at regular intervals for continued soil health.
- Fertilizers are added based on the crop’s need for specific nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium.
Difference Between Manures and Fertilizers
Understanding the main differences between manures and fertilizers helps in writing accurate answers for board exams and correct application in the field. Here’s a helpful table to compare them:
Difference Table: Manures vs Fertilizers
| Basis | Manure | Fertilizer |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Natural (decomposed plant and animal waste) | Chemical or organic, mainly produced in factories |
| Nutrient Content | Not nutrient-specific, low concentration | Rich in specific nutrients (N, P, K) |
| Effect on Soil | Improves soil texture, increases humus | Does not add humus, may harm soil if overused |
| Absorption | Slow release, gradually absorbed | Quickly absorbed by plants |
| Environmental Impact | Environment friendly | Can cause soil/water pollution if misused |
| Example | Compost, farmyard manure, green manure | Urea, NPK, ammonium sulphate |
Types and Examples of Manures and Fertilizers
There are various types of manures and fertilizers used in agricultural practices. Common examples include:
- Manures: Farmyard manure (FYM), compost, green manure (plants grown and ploughed back into soil), vermicompost
- Fertilizers: Urea, NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium), ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, potash
- Biofertilizers: Rhizobium, Azotobacter, blue-green algae (see biofertilizers)
Importance and Uses in Agriculture
Manures and fertilizers are both essential for crop production and to maintain soil fertility. Manures improve soil structure, encourage microbial growth, and enhance long-term soil health. Fertilizers quickly supply the nutrients necessary for rapid crop growth and higher yield, which is vital for feeding a growing population.
However, excessive use of chemical fertilizers can lead to soil degradation, water pollution, and health risks. Therefore, balanced use of both, combined with sustainable practices, helps achieve better improvement in food resources.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing manures and fertilizers as being the same; they differ in source, nutrient content, and effect.
- Overusing fertilizers, which can harm crops and reduce soil fertility.
- Neglecting regular manuring, which is important for long-term sustainable farming.
Real-World Applications
The concept of manures and fertilizers is widely used in agriculture, environmental management, and food security strategies. Many farmers use a mix of organic manures and chemical fertilizers depending on the crop and soil type. Understanding their differences is also essential for competitive exams and practical farming. Vedantu helps students relate such topics to practical examples and real-life agricultural advancements.
In this article, we explored manures and fertilizers, their meanings, major differences, types, examples, real-life significance, and common mistakes. To learn more, explore related topics and keep practicing with Vedantu for a stronger science foundation.
Quick Internal Link Resources for Further Study
- Traditional Methods of Irrigation
- Crop Production and Management
- Nutrition in Plants
- Soil Profile
- Difference Between Rabi and Kharif Crops
- Biofertilizers
- Nitrogen Cycle
- Agricultural Practices
- Crop Protection
- Improvement in Food Resources
- Soil Fertility
FAQs on Manures and Fertilizers Explained for Students
1. What is the difference between manure and fertilizer?
Manure is an organic substance produced by the decomposition of dead plants and animal waste, enriching the soil with humus and improving its physical condition. Fertilizers are chemical or organic compounds containing concentrated nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that quickly supply nutrients to plants but do not add humus or improve soil texture.
2. What are examples of manures and fertilizers?
Common examples of manures include cow dung, compost, green manure, and vermicompost. Examples of fertilizers are urea, ammonium sulfate, NPK mixtures (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), and superphosphate. Manures improve soil fertility slowly, while fertilizers provide immediate nutrient supply.
3. Why are manures and fertilizers important in agriculture?
Both manures and fertilizers are vital for enhancing soil fertility and providing essential nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth. Manures improve soil texture and microbial activity, while fertilizers supply specific nutrients quickly, helping increase crop yield and quality, which supports sustainable farming practices.
4. Can you list five fertilizers commonly used?
Five commonly used fertilizers are:
1. Urea – rich source of nitrogen
2. Ammonium sulfate – provides nitrogen and sulfur
3. Superphosphate – supplies phosphorus
4. Potash (potassium salts) – supplies potassium
5. NPK mixtures – balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients
5. How do manures and fertilizers affect soil fertility?
Manures enhance soil fertility by adding organic matter (humus), improving soil texture, water retention, and increasing microbial population. Fertilizers supply specific nutrients rapidly but do not improve soil structure. Excessive fertilizer use can degrade soil quality and harm microorganisms, while manures are generally safe and improve long-term fertility.
6. Which chemical is used in fertilizers?
Fertilizers contain chemicals like ammonium nitrate, urea, superphosphate, and potassium salts (potash). These chemicals provide essential macronutrients for plants: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), commonly referred to as NPK fertilizers.
7. What is green manure?
Green manure refers to leguminous plants or cover crops that are grown and then plowed back into the soil to enrich it with organic matter and nitrogen. They improve soil fertility naturally by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and increasing humus, promoting healthy crop growth.
8. Why do some farmers prefer manures over fertilizers?
Farmers often prefer manures because they are natural, improve soil health, enhance microbial activity, and increase soil water retention. Manures are environment-friendly and sustainable, whereas fertilizers, though quick-acting, can cause soil degradation and pollution when used excessively.
9. What are the long-term impacts of excessive fertilizer usage?
Excessive and continuous use of chemical fertilizers can lead to soil nutrient imbalances, reduced microbial activity, soil acidification, and contamination of water bodies. This negatively impacts soil fertility and can decrease crop quality and yield over time, making farming less sustainable.
10. Do manures and fertilizers contribute differently to environmental sustainability?
Yes. Manures support environmental sustainability by enhancing soil organic matter, promoting microbial life, and reducing chemical runoff. Fertilizers, especially chemical types, if overused, can cause pollution, groundwater contamination, and harm beneficial soil organisms, posing challenges for sustainable agriculture.
11. Why do board exam questions often ask for five differences?
Board exams commonly ask for five differences to test students’ clear understanding and ability to compare concepts concisely. This helps in quick revision, sharper memory recall, and better presentation of answers within limited exam time.
