MANURE

1. Organic matter used as a fertilizer

1.1. Contains nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

1.1.1. Increases the capacity of soil to hold more water and nutrients

2. TYPES OF MANURE

3. ANIMAL MANURE

3.1. Contains the feces and urine of livestock like cattle, poultry etc.

4. GREEN MANURE

4.1. Obtained by decomposition of green leaves, twigs of trees.

4.2. Leguminous plants like clover are used for this purpose

4.3. They fix nitrogen in the soil. Prevents soil erosion. Suppresses weed growth

5. COMPOST

5.1. Obtained by decomposition of organic matter like crop residues, animal wastes and food wastes by various microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.

6. VERMICULTURE

6.1. Method of transforming organic wastes such as papers, leaves, etc., into a nutrient rich fertilizer using EARTHWORMS.

6.2. Earthworms eats the organic wastes and excrete it in the form of castings. This is known as VERMICOMPOST.

6.3. MATERIALS USED FOR VERMICOMPOSTING

6.3.1. Crop residues like straw, rice husk, tea waste etc.,

6.3.2. Fruit and vegetable waste

6.3.3. Animal waste like cattle dung, poultry waste etc.,

6.4. ADVANTAGES OF VERMICOMPOST

6.4.1. Provides essential nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous for plant growth.

6.4.2. Improves water holding capacity and prevents soil erosion.

6.4.3. Enhances plant growth.

6.4.4. Suppresses diseases

6.4.5. Increases porosity, water retention and aeration.

6.4.6. reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.