Distinguish between Manures and Fertilizers
S.no | Manure | Fertilizer |
1 | A manure is a natural substance. It is obtained by the decomposition of animal and buffaloes and plant residues. | A fertilizer is a human made substance. It is an inorganic salt or an organic compound |
| 2 | A manure contains small amounts of essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. | Fertilizers are very rich in plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. |
3 | A manure adds a great amount of organiic matter in the form of humus in the soil. | A fertilizer does not add any humus to the soil. |
| 4 | Nutrients present in the manure are absorbed slowly by the crop plants since manure is not soluble in water. Nutrients exist locked inside the organic compounds of humus. | Being soluble in water, a fertilizer is readily absorbed by the crop plants. |
5 | A manure is not nutrient specific and it tends to remove the general deficiency of the soil. | A fertilizer is nutrient specific. It can provide specifically nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil according to the need. |
6 | A manure is voluminous and bulky so it is inconvenient to store, transport, handle and apply to the crop. | A fertilizer is compact and concentrated so it is easy to store, transport and aooly to the crop. |
7 | A manure is cheap and is prepared in rural homes or fields | A fertilizer is costly and is prepared in factories. |