Manure

Manure is the material of biological origin after partial or complete

decomposition, used to increase soil fertility or productivity of crops .
It may be
 Farmyard manure: consists of mixture of cattle dung and crop residues
e.g. reminant of straw and plants stalks . It is bulky and good for retention
of soil moisture but is not rich in nutrition.
 Composted manure: is prepared by reducing vegetable crops residue and
animal refuge to quickly utilizable condition for improving and
maintaining soil fertility . These type of manure are rich in nitrogen and
carbon.
 Green manure
 are fast growing herbaceous plants
usually quick growing crops cultivated
and ploughed in order to incorporate
it into the soil to provide organic
matter and additional nitrogen into
the soil.
 Helps in building soil profile,
protection against erosion and
retains moisture.
 These are cost effective , ecofriendly,
natural, no need any technical
knowledge balance source and can
improve soil aeration and drainage
condition.
 Bio fertilizers: The living organisms which are commonly used to maintain and
improve soil fertility are called bio fertilizers. The main sources of bio fertilizers
are bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi.
Bacteria as Bio fertilizers:
 Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixing bacteria: Rhizobium spp. Are able to enter into
symbiotic relationship with the roots of legumes. The bacteria fix atmospheric
nitrogen into leguminous plants supply water, minerals and other nutrients.
 Asymbiotic or Free living bacteria: Azotobacter, Bacillus polymixa are free living
bacteria found in soil. They also synthesize growth promoting antibiotics
substance, helpful to the plant.
 Loose Association of bacteria: Azospirillum shows loose association with the
roots of grasses, rice, sorghum and maize. This bacterium results in increase in
yield.
Cyanobacteria as Bio fertilizers: The cyanobacteria( blue
green algae) help in nitrogen fixation. They may be
symbiotic or free living.
 Azolla-Anabaena symbiosis: A cyanobacterium, known
as Anabaena Azolla is found in the leaf cavities of this
small floating fern. The cyanobacterium fixes nitrogen
through photosynthesis and excretes the nitrogenous
compounds into the leaf cavity. Azolla has been proved
to be an excellent bio fertilizer for rice. Its low cost and
simple technology are the advantages for the farmer.
 Free living cyanobacteria: Nostoc, Anabaena, Spirulina,
Plectonema etc. fix the atmospheric nitrogen through
photosynthesis. They are utilized as bio fertilizers to
improve the soil fertility.
Fungi as Bio fertilizer
Mycorrhiza: It is a symbiotic association of fungi with the roots of
higher plants. It is of two types;
 Ectomycorrhizae: These are mainly found in pine, oak, etc. They
absorb nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium in their fungal
sheath. This results in greater plant vigour, growth and yield.
 Endomycorrhizae: These are found in the roots of many herbs
such as orchids and some other plants. They help in phosphorus
nutrition. The most common endomycorrhizae is Aspergillus.
VAM(Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza )
 Mycorrhiza is the product of an association between a fungus and plant root. Vesicular-
arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) is formed by the symbiotic association between certain
phycomycetous fungi and angiosperm roots.
 The fungus colonizes the root cortex forming a mycelial network and characteristic
vesicles (bladder-like structures) and arbuscules (branched finger-like hyphae).
 The mycelia are aseptate or septate ramifying intracellularly thus causing little damage to
tissues.