Distinguish between fertilizer and manure. Give suitable examples. What are advantages and disadvantages of using fertilizer ?
Distinguish between fertilizer and manure. Give suitable examples. What are advantages and disadvantages of using fertilizer ?
Manures: Manure is obtained from the decomposition of dead plants and animals. They essentially function as sustenance to the crops.
Fertilizers: A fertilizer is a chemical substance that contains necessary nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous to make the soil fertile.
Manures Fertilizer 1. They are organic in nature. 1. They are inorganic in nature 2. They are generally insoluble in water. 2. They are generally soluble in water. 3. They are not nutrient specific. 3. They are nutrient specific. 4. They are biodegradable. 4. They are non-biodegradable. 5. They are voluminous and bulky, so difficult to store and carry. 5. They can be easily stored and are easy to carry. 6. They provide humus to the soil. 6. They do not provide humus to the soil. Ex. compost and green manure Ex. urea and ammonium sulphate
Advantages of Fertilizers:
(i) They are easy to store, transport, and apply to crops.
(ii) Being soluble in water, they are readily absorbed by the crop plants.
(iii) They are nutrient-specific and can be selected according to the specific nature of the soil.
Disadvantages of Fertilizers:
(i) They are costly.
(ii) These are the chemicals, which when washed away with rain water, pollute the water bodies.
Manures: Manure is obtained from the decomposition of dead plants and animals. They essentially function as sustenance to the crops.
Fertilizers: A fertilizer is a chemical substance that contains necessary nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous to make the soil fertile.
| Manures | Fertilizer |
| 1. They are organic in nature. | 1. They are inorganic in nature |
| 2. They are generally insoluble in water. | 2. They are generally soluble in water. |
| 3. They are not nutrient specific. | 3. They are nutrient specific. |
| 4. They are biodegradable. | 4. They are non-biodegradable. |
| 5. They are voluminous and bulky, so difficult to store and carry. | 5. They can be easily stored and are easy to carry. |
| 6. They provide humus to the soil. | 6. They do not provide humus to the soil. |
| Ex. compost and green manure | Ex. urea and ammonium sulphate |
Advantages of Fertilizers:
(i) They are easy to store, transport, and apply to crops.
(ii) Being soluble in water, they are readily absorbed by the crop plants.
(iii) They are nutrient-specific and can be selected according to the specific nature of the soil.
Disadvantages of Fertilizers:
(i) They are costly.
(ii) These are the chemicals, which when washed away with rain water, pollute the water bodies.
