What is manure? How is it different from fertilisers?

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Detailed Solution

Manure is an organic substance obtained by the decomposition of plant and animal waste such as cow dung, urine, crop residues, and kitchen waste. It is a natural way of enriching the soil with organic matter and essential nutrients. Manure improves soil fertility, increases water-holding capacity, and makes the soil porous, which helps plant roots grow better.

Fertilisers, on the other hand, are chemically manufactured substances rich in specific nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Common examples are urea, ammonium sulphate, superphosphate, and potash. Fertilisers provide nutrients to plants in a concentrated form and give immediate results, but they do not improve the overall soil structure.

Key Differences Between Manure and Fertilisers

Feature	Manure	Fertilisers
Source	Natural, made from plant and animal waste	Artificial, manufactured chemically in factories
Nutrient Content	Contains small amounts of nutrients along with organic matter	Rich in specific nutrients like N, P, K in concentrated form
Effect on Soil	Improves soil texture, fertility, and water retention	Increases soil fertility quickly but may harm soil health in the long term
Eco-friendliness	Eco-friendly and sustainable	Excess use may cause water pollution and reduce soil fertility
Cost	Cheap and easily available to farmers	Relatively expensive