Question

How did the process of adding manure to the soil begin?

Answer 1

Organic matter that enriches the soil fertility, produced by decomposers by decomposing plant and animal waste which add required nutrients to the soil that helps in the growth of a plant. This organic matter is added to the soil by various processes.

Complete answer:
One of the most popular and traditional ways to use manure is to mix it with compost. It is used as a good fertilizer. Another method is to add plant debris and animal waste in the hole and is covered with soil. This is done before rainfall or winter. This is later taken out and is used as manure.

Additional information:
- Organic matter obtained from the plant and animal waste which is used in agriculture as a fertilizer is called manure.
- Animal feces is present in most manure, compost and green manure are the other sources of manure.
- By adding organic matter and nutrients such as nitrogen, improves the fertility of the soil.
- The nitrogen in the manure is utilized by bacteria, fungi, and other organisms in the soil.
- Three types of manure are commonly used as animal manure, compost, and green manure.
- Commonly used animal manures include farm slurry or farmyard manure which contain animal feces.
- The decomposed remnants of organic material usually of plant origin but also include some animal waste is called compost.
- Rumens of slaughtered ruminants, leftover brewing beer, and seaweed are used as green manure.
- Manure helps to improve the soil structure and ability of soil to hold the nutrients and water and also adds additional nutrients to the soil which makes the soil fertile.

Note: One of the major disadvantages is, due to the presence of more nutrients in the manure, there is a chance of pathogen attack and also this manure is carried by some of the flies and rodents and result in spoilage of food and spread diseases.