Manure: Organic Fertilizer — Types, Uses, History, and Environmental Issues
Manure is decomposed organic matter used to enrich soils. This article explains types, benefits, preparation, historical use, and environmental considerations for agricultural and garden use.
Manure refers to animal excreta and other decomposed organic residues applied to soil as a fertilizer or soil amendment. In practice the word covers raw farmyard dung, composted residues, and plant-based "green manure." Manure supplies a mix of plant-available nutrients and organic compounds that support soil life; see organic matter and its role in soil systems. Historically it was the primary soil amendment before widespread industrial fertilizers became available.
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Composition and characteristics
Manure is valued for its supply of macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and for improving texture and moisture retention. These contributions depend on animal diet, bedding, moisture content and age of the material. Microbial populations in manure interact with soil organisms, including fungi, enhancing decomposition and nutrient cycling. For specific nutrient guidance consult resources on nutrients and their availability.
Types and examples
- Farm animal manures: cattle, horse, sheep and pig manures used fresh or composted.
- Slurry and liquid manures: semi-liquid wastes spread or injected into soil.
- Green manure: cover crops grown to be incorporated into soil to add organic matter.
- Guano: concentrated deposits from birds and bats, historically prized for its high nutrient content; see guano.
Uses and best practices
Applied properly, manure increases fertility, improves structure and supports beneficial soil organisms. Typical practices include composting to stabilize nutrients and kill pathogens, incorporating manure into the soil to reduce losses, and timing applications to match crop needs. Guidance on fertilizer classification and use can be found via sources about fertilizer types. Attention to nitrogen dynamics is important because much of the benefit comes from biological processes involving nitrogen.
Benefits, risks and environmental concerns
- Benefits: improved soil organic matter, enhanced water-holding capacity, sustained microbial activity, and long-term fertility gains.
- Risks: odour, pathogens, nutrient runoff and leaching that can contribute to water quality problems, and emissions of greenhouse gases if mismanaged.
- Mitigation: composting, appropriate application rates and timing, buffer strips, and storage management reduce environmental impacts.
Manure continues to be important in low-input and organic agriculture and as part of integrated nutrient management. Understanding the type of manure, how it has been treated, and how it fits into a crop or garden plan is essential for safe and effective use. For introductory guidance and definitions, consult resources on organic matter, practical fertilizer guides at fertilizer references, and detailed nutrient information at nutrients and nitrogen topics; for historic accounts see treatments of guano trade and older agricultural practice.
Questions and answers
Q: What is manure?
A: Manure is organic matter used as a fertilizer in agriculture.
Q: How does manure improve soil fertility?
A: Manure improves soil fertility by adding organic matter and nutrients such as nitrogen that are trapped by bacteria in the soil.
Q: What is the chain of life that is established when manure is used as a fertilizer?
A: When manure is used as a fertilizer, higher organisms feed on the fungi and bacteria present in the soil, establishing a chain of life.
Q: What is the term used to describe manure from birds and bats?
A: Manure from birds and bats is called guano.
Q: What was the term "manure" used for in the past?
A: In the past, the term "manure" was used for inorganic fertilizers, although this usage is now very rare.
Q: What are the advantages of using manure as a fertilizer?
A: The advantages of using manure as a fertilizer include the improvement of soil fertility, the addition of organic matter, and the provision of nutrients such as nitrogen.
Q: How does the use of manure benefit the environment?
A: The use of manure benefits the environment by reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, which can have negative impacts on water quality and soil health. Manure also promotes biodiversity in soil ecosystems.
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AlegsaOnline.com Manure: Organic Fertilizer — Types, Uses, History, and Environmental Issues Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/61480