Organic Manure: A Natural Fertilizer for Your Farms

Table Of Contents 

• What is Manure? 
• What are the Primary Sources of Manure? 
• What are the Different Types of Manures?
  • Bulky Organic Manures 
    • Green Manure 
    • Farm Yard Manure 
    • Compost Manure 
  • Concentrated Organic Manure 
• What are the Major Benefits of Manure? 
• What is the Difference between Manure and Chemical Fertilizer? 
• Conclusion

What is Manure? 

Manure is the decomposed material produced from animal and crop residues. It enhances soil productivity and is a natural, cost-effective type of fertilizer, also termed organic manure. Organic manure is rich in phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. It is better in the long run and does not cause pollution. It is a precious, renewable resource that improves soil quality without disturbing the environment.

What are the Primary Sources of Manure? 

Manures can be extracted from different sources, some of which are listed below: 

• It can be derived from agricultural industry by-products, such as fruit and vegetable processing waste, bagasse and press mud, and oil cakes.
• It can be prepared from cattle dung and urine, as well as slurry from biogas plants.
• It is produced from the droppings of sheep breeds and goat breeds, as well as poultry jitters.
• Crop waste, such as stubble, sugarcane trash, and other related materials, is also a source of organic manure.
• Weeds, water hyacinths, and tank slits can help prepare manure.
• The waste from human habitation, such as domestic waste, sewage, sludge, and human urine, is a source of manure.
• Slaughterhouse waste, like fish waste, meat, bones, horn and hoof meat, etc., is one of the primary sources of organic manure.

What are the Different Types of Manures? 

Bulky organic manures and concentrated organic manures are the two popular types of manures based on the concentration of nutrients. Let’s discuss each:

Bulky Organic Manures 

These types of manures consist of small nutrient percentages, and they are used in huge quantities. They are further classified into three types: 

Green Manure 

Green Manure is a crop that is specifically grown and ploughed into the soil to enhance the overall soil fertility and its physical structure. It can be formed by growing green manure crops or by collecting green leaves from plants grown in forests, field bunds, and wastelands. Popular green manure crops include sunn hemp, Sesbania rostrata, cluster beans, pillipesara, and dhaincha.

Farm Yard Manure 

Farm Yard Manure (FYM) is a decayed mixture of cattle dung and urine with leftover materials from fodder fed to the farm animals. The average composition of FYM is 0.5% Nitrogen, 0.5% K2O, and 0.2% K2O5. It enhances the soil structure and acts as a natural fertilizer in agriculture. The use of FYM improves soil microbial activity, water-holding capacity, and nutrient-holding capacity.

Compost Manure 

Compost Manure is another type of manure prepared using farm waste materials, animal refuse, vegetable waste, domestic waste, and sewage waste. It improves the soil's water- and nutrient-holding capacity and its structure. It enhances nutrient value and supports the plant’s health.

Concentrated Organic Manure 

These types of manures contain higher nutrient levels than bulky organic manures and are also referred to as organic nitrogen fertilizers. Examples of concentrated organic manures include fish manure, blood meal, and oilcake. The organic nitrogen present in this manure is converted into nitrate nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen through bacterial action before the crops use it. Thus, these organic fertilizers act relatively slowly and ensure a longer supply.

What are the Major Benefits of Manure? 

Organic manure has several advantages, some of which are listed below: 

• They are a good source of macronutrients and provide micronutrients to plants.
• They enhance the physical properties of the soil, such as water and nutrient-holding capacity, structure, etc., and aerate the soil.
• Carbon dioxide gas is released during the decomposition process and can be used as a carbon dioxide fertilizer.
• Organic manure is more cost-effective than chemical fertilizers.
• The use of organic manure ensures healthy crop production.

What is the Difference between Manure and Chemical Fertilizer?

Conclusion 

Manure is a suitable soil amendment that acts as a field residue when used in farming. It can also be a source of income for farmers, as they can sell the manure to those who want to increase their land’s soil fertility. Manure has played an important role in feeding the growing population as it improves soil fertility and increases crop yield. Farmers are learning the importance of organic manure and using it instead of bad synthetic fertilizers, which is one reason for its increasing popularity. The use of organic manure will make our future more sustainable and stronger.