Why farmers use a mixture of both manures and fertilizer?
Why farmers use a mixture of both manures and fertilizer?
To answer your question we will need to look at the difference between a manure and a fertiliser.
Manure : This basically organic matter derived from animal or plant sources which are added to the soil to increase the organic matter in the soil. Now manures along with organic matter also add various other nutrients required by the crops. The organic carbon present in the manure is utilised by the soil microfauna (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) to produce humus and other chemicals which improve the soil health and structure. Organic matter is the the main binding agent between soil particles which leads to soil aggregation, which in turn lead to better water holding capacity.
Fertilisers: These on the other hand are synthetic chemicals which are added to the soil. They are generally chemicals containing inorganic or organic(here organic means the long chain compounds formed by C, H, O and not the ones derived from living things) salts which on dissolving in soil water can be taken up by the plants.
Now to answer your question, adding anyone of the manures or fertilisers would not be as effective as adding both in proper proportions. Adding only manures would not be enough to satisfy the nutrient needs of the plants. Whereas adding only fertilisers would cause changes in the soil pH and harm the soil health in general and which will effect the future crops when they are grown in the same land.
Therefore, scientists always suggest using manures and fertilisers in proper balance.
To answer your question we will need to look at the difference between a manure and a fertiliser.
Manure : This basically organic matter derived from animal or plant sources which are added to the soil to increase the organic matter in the soil. Now manures along with organic matter also add various other nutrients required by the crops. The organic carbon present in the manure is utilised by the soil microfauna (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) to produce humus and other chemicals which improve the soil health and structure. Organic matter is the the main binding agent between soil particles which leads to soil aggregation, which in turn lead to better water holding capacity.
Fertilisers: These on the other hand are synthetic chemicals which are added to the soil. They are generally chemicals containing inorganic or organic(here organic means the long chain compounds formed by C, H, O and not the ones derived from living things) salts which on dissolving in soil water can be taken up by the plants.
Now to answer your question, adding anyone of the manures or fertilisers would not be as effective as adding both in proper proportions. Adding only manures would not be enough to satisfy the nutrient needs of the plants. Whereas adding only fertilisers would cause changes in the soil pH and harm the soil health in general and which will effect the future crops when they are grown in the same land.
Therefore, scientists always suggest using manures and fertilisers in proper balance.
