Question

State any two differences between manure and fertilizers.

Answer 1

Manure	Fertilizer
Manure is a natural or an organic substance obtained by the decomposition of plant and animal wastes. This is done by microbes, earthworms, fungus etc.	Fertilizer is a synthetic substance or an inorganic compound.
Low percentage of nutrients is present.	High percentage of nutrients is present.
Manure provides a lot of organic matter to the soil. It is slowly absorbed by the plants.	Fertilizer does not provide any humus to the soil. It is quickly absorbed by the plants.
Crop productivity is increased only to some certain extent.	Crop productivity is increased many folds by its use.
No side effects of manure are absorbed.	Chemicals in fertilisers are washed away to the nearby water bodies, causing soil and water pollution.

Manures are organic substances added to the soil to increase the production of crops. They are biological in origin.They need to be supplies in large amount as they contain less nutrients. They enrich the soil with nutrients and increases the water holding capacity, and improves the texture of soil.

e.g. Farmyard manure, Green manure etc.

Fertilizers are artificially prepared in industries using various chemicals. They are faster in promoting the growth of plants and need to be supplies in lesser amount as compared to manures.But, in the long run ferlilizers reduce the fertility of land.

e.g. Nitrogenous fertilizer, Phosphatic fertlizer, Pottasic fertilizers, Comlex fertilizers.