Manure and fertilizers both improve soil fertility but differ in their composition and production. Manure is an organic material created from the natural decomposition of plant and animal waste, while fertilizers are synthetic chemicals containing nutrients. Manure improves the soil by increasing organic matter and beneficial bacteria, but contains fewer nutrients than fertilizers. It also enriches the soil without harm over the long term. In contrast, fertilizers are water soluble and can damage soils or plants in large amounts. Though more nutrient-rich, fertilizers are more expensive to produce industrially compared to low-cost manure.

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Difference between manure and fertilizers
Class 8 Science
Introduction
Agriculture makes a significant contribution to a country’s economy. It meets a
wide spectrum of our daily requirements. Manure and fertilisers get used to
improve soil fertility and hence agricultural output. Both are employed for the
same goal, although they are completely different.
What is Manure? / Manure meaning.
Manure is an organic material formed by the breakdown of plant and animal
wastes such as crop residue and animal manure. It is created by depositing
animal and plant waste in an open pit and allowing it to decay with the
assistance of microorganisms. Natural or organic manure is the organic waste
that remains after decomposition. It is high in organic matter but low in plant
nutrients. As a result, it adds a lot of organic matter to the soil yet requires a lot of
it because it contains fewer nutrients.
Uses of Manure
Below are the uses of Manure:
 Manure improves soil fertility by increasing its ability to hold water, enhancing its
texture, and raising the number of friendly bacteria.
 It also makes the soil more porous, which aids in gas exchange.
What is Fertilizer?
Fertilizers are chemicals or artificial goods that contain plant nutrients. They get
used to making the soil more productive and encouraging plant development.
Fertilizers are mineral-based substances and can contain nitrogenous, potassium
salts, phosphatic or salts elements. It is richer in nutrients than organic manures.
Fertilizers do not require the production of microorganisms because they are
chemical in nature and do not entail breakdown. Fertilizers are manufactured in
factories using a chemical process and applied to the soil to boost the output of
crops such as rice, wheat, and maize.
Fertilizer Types

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Fertilizers can be of two types:
 Organic fertilizers: Organic fertilisers are manufactured from natural elements such
as decomposed plant debris, bone, seaweed, peat, and so on.
 Synthetic fertilizers: Synthetic fertilisers are made up of compounds that dissolve
rapidly in water and are readily absorbed by plants.
Explain how fertilizers are different from manure
Manure vs. Fertilizer
The following are the primary distinctions between manure and fertiliser:
Manure Fertilizer
It is made by depositing plant
and animal wastes in pits in an
open area.
It is created in factories by a
chemical process.
It is an organic compound
formed by the breakdown of
plant or animal faeces.
It is a synthetic or industrially-
produced substance that
contains plant nutrients.
Because it is probably insoluble in
water, it is slowly absorbed by the
soil and plants.
It dissolves easily in water and is
promptly absorbed by the soil
and plants.
It provides fewer plant nutrients
than fertilisers.
It contains more plant nutrients
than manure.
It enriches the soil with humus. It does not add humus to the soil.
It is not harmful to the soil and, in
the long term, enhances soil
quality.
Excessive fertiliser application can
degrade soil quality and damage
soil organisms.
It is cost-effective since it may be
simply made from decaying
plant and animal waste.
It is expensive because it is
manufactured in factories by
machines.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are manure and fertiliser?
Manure: Organic waste collected organically from decaying plants and animals
is referred to as manure. It is also derived from the faeces of animals and
humans, as well as from household trash such as vegetable peels.

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Fertilizer: Fertilizer is a natural or chemically synthesized ingredient that is applied
to soil to improve its productivity as well as fertility.
Fertilizer or manure: which is preferable?
Manure is superior to fertiliser. Manure is derived organically and adds much
more to the soil than just nutrients. They boost soil fertility by increasing the
activity of bacteria in the soil. Fertilisers, on the other hand, damage these
bacteria and create health problems in consumers since they are chemically
synthesised.
Can manure be used in organic farming?
Manure improves the soil. It provides nutrients to the plants and is an important
fertiliser in organic farming. As a result, it is permissible under National Organic
Program Standards.
What do you mean by organic fertiliser?
Human and animal excreta, as well as vegetable waste, are used to make
organic fertilisers. The most efficient organic fertilisers are made from animal
waste, slurry, and manure from meat production.
Write some similarities between manure and fertilizers.
Some similarities between manure and fertilizers are:
 Manure and fertilisers both contribute to boosting crop yield.
 They nourish the plants and aid in their growth.
 They improve the soil’s fertility by enriching it.
State the difference between Manure and Fertilizer.
The following are the primary distinctions between manure and fertiliser:
1. Manure is made by depositing plant and animal wastes in pits in an open area
while fertilizers get created in factories by a chemical process.

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2. Manure is an organic compound formed by the breakdown of plant or animal
faeces while fertilizer is a synthetic or industrially-produced substance that contains
plant nutrients.
3. Manure gets absorbed by soil and plants because it is insoluble in water while
fertilizers dissolve easily in water and get absorbed by soil and plants promptly.
4. Manure is not harmful to the soil and, in the long term, enhances soil quality while
application of too much fertiliser can degrade soil quality and damage soil
organisms.
5. Manure is cost-effective since it is simply made from decaying plant and animal
waste while fertilizer can be really expensive since it gets manufactured in factories
by machines.