Plant health care is a holistic approach to tree care. The focus is on developing and maintaining healthy plants, so they become less susceptible to problems. we can maintain the plant health by timely application of manures and fertilizers.
Lets us have a look what exactly manures and fertilizers are:
| Fertiliser
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Manure
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| It may be an artificial or natural substance.
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It is a natural substance.
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| These are chemicals that are added to the soil to increase its fertility and productivity.
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These are obtained from dead and decaying plants and animals.
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| Prepared in factories.
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Prepared in fields.
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| Does not provide humus to the soil.
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Provides humus to the soil.
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| Rich in plant nutrients.
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Less rich in plant nutrients.
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| Absorbed by plants quickly.
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Absorbed by plants slowly.
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| Costly
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Comparatively cheaper and cost-effective.
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| It harms the organisms present in the soil and also causes health issues in people consuming the crop.
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It causes no harm to the organisms and improves soil quality.
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Now we clearly understood the difference between manure and fertilizers.
As you can see fertilizers are inorganic and are harmful if used in excess amount. while manures are derived products from animal and plant wastes.so we mainly prefer organic way to take care of plant health.
The organic products includes:
Vermicompost
Vermicomposting is the process by which worms are used to convert organic materials (usually wastes) into a humus-like material known as vermin-compost. Worms have a number of other possible uses on farms, including value as a high quality animal feed. Vermicompost is one of the best fertilizers & soil conditioner that can be used for potted plants. It can be mixed with soil, coco peat or even sand. Various combinations of ideal potting mixtures can be made by using vermicomposting, depending on the type of plant.
Cow dung Manure
Cow dung, also known as cow pats, cow pies or cow manure, is the waste product (faeces) of bovine animal species. These species include domestic cattle ("cows"), bison ("buffalo"), yak, and water buffalo. Cow dung is the undigested residue of plant matter which has passed through the animal's gut. The resultant faecal matter is rich in minerals. Color ranges from greenish to blackish, often darkening soon after exposure to air.
Farmyard manure
Farmyard manure refers to the decomposed mixture of dung and urine of farm animals along with litter and left over material from roughages or fodder fed to the cattle. On an average well decomposed farmyard manure contains 0.5 per cent N, 0.2 per cent P2O5and .0.5 per cent K2O.The present method of preparing farmyard manure by the farmers is defective. Urine, which is wasted, contains one per cent nitrogen and 1.35 per cent potassium. Nitrogen present in urine is mostly in the form of urea which is subjected to volatilization losses. Even during storage, nutrients are lost due to leaching and volatilization. However, it is practically impossible to avoid losses altogether, but can be reduced by following improved method of preparation of farmyard manure. Trenches of size 6 m to 7.5 m length, 1.5 m to 2.0 m width and 1.0 m deep are dug.
Sheep and Goat Manure
The droppings of sheep and goats contain higher nutrients than farmyard manure and compost. On an average, the manure contains 3 per cent N, 1 per cent P2O5 and 2 per cent K2O.It is applied to the field in two ways. The sweeping of sheep or goat sheds are placed in pits for decomposition and it is applied later to the field. The nutrients present in the urine are wasted in this method. The second method is sheep penning, wherein sheep and goats are kept overnight in the field and urine and fecal matter added to the soil is incorporated to a shallow depth by working blade harrow or cultivator or cultivator.
Poultry Manure
The excreta of birds ferment very quickly. If left exposed, 50 percent of its nitrogen is lost within 30 days. Poultry manure contains higher nitrogen and phosphorus compared to other bulky organic manures. The average nutrient content is 3.03 per cent N; 2.63 per cent P2O5 and 1.4 per cent K2O.
Oil cakes
After oil is extracted from oilseeds, the remaining solid portion is dried as cake which can, be used as manure. Non edible oil cakes which are not fit for feeding livestock; e.g.: Castor cake, Neem cake, Mahua cake etc., can be used for plants as manures.
