Types, uses and benefits to soil and crop

Searching what is manure? Well, manures are organic wastes from plants and animals that are used to fertilise crops. As they break down, they provide useful nutrients. Manures may be classified as either bulky organic manures or concentrated organic manures based on the density of the nutrients

Decomposing plant and animal matter is worked into the soil to improve its fertility and boost crop yields after the original plant or animal life has expired. The decomposing remains are a cheap and efficient source of fertiliser. 

Farmers not only employ cattle manure, which is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other critical elements that boost the soil quality, but they also use human and animal excreta as manure.

It’s an all-natural fertiliser that won’t break the bank. Animal waste is an excellent source of the three essential nutrients for plant growth: nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Due to the organic chemicals and humus included in manure, it may increase soil fertility. 

These are better for the environment and will save money in the long term. It’s a natural material that can be replenished again and over again. Natural resources are unharmed by these organic materials, and they are beneficial to soil health.

See also: Green manure: Types, planting, benefits and drawbacks

Manure: Types 

1. Chicken manure

Chicken manure may be obtained for free from backyard hen keepers or purchased from speciality stores. Because of its high nitrogen and nutritional content, it is widely sought after as a fertiliser. Poultry dung has more phosphorus than other manures, which is essential for the growth of flowers and fruit.

2. Manure from horses

Horse dung has more nitrogen and nutrients than cow manure, but it can be given to a garden right after it has dried up, unlike chicken manure, because of its 20:1 carbon-to nitrogen-ratio.

3. Bulky organic manure

Large volumes of organic manures that are low in nutrients are often applied. The most essential and extensively utilised bulky organic manures are farmyard manure (FYM), compost, and green manure. 

4. Farmyard manure

Farmyard manure is the composted byproduct of feeding livestock roughages or fodder, as well as the faeces and urine of the animals. Most composted agricultural manure has around 0.5 percent nitrogen, 0.2 percent phosphorus, and 0.5 percent potassium. Nutrients are lost even when in storage via leaching and volatilisation. Losses can’t be avoided entirely, but they can be mitigated by better manure preparation practices on farms.

5. Green manure

Increasing the soil’s organic matter, this practice helps to reduce weed growth and keep the ground from washing away.

6. Compost manure

Water retention is increased, and the soil’s structure is strengthened via compost manure. 

Manure: Benefits

• It enhances edaphic elements (water-holding capacity).
• It makes the soil more permeable, allowing gas exchange to occur.
• The soil’s texture becomes better. Organic fertilisers affect the soil’s texture and reduce the soil’s ability to wash away.
• The use of synthetic fertilisers has a devastating impact on our rivers, posing a threat to aquatic life and lowering water quality overall. Hence, organic manure should be used.
• A good amount of macronutrients may be found in these, which add to the richness of the soil.
• It is cost-effective.
• It increases the soil’s capability to retain water and nutrients.
• It’s convenient to carry around.
• Methane gas, produced as a byproduct of manure, is useful in the kitchen and the home.
• Manure fertilises the soil, which in turn benefits the plants cultivated there.

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