Raw Materials Used for Composting

4.1 Introduction
Large amounts of agricultural by-products or livestock wastes are produced annually in Taiwan
(Table 1). Hogs excrete about 73 x 104 mt/year; chickens, 186 x 104 mt/year; and cattle, 30 x
104 mt/year. Annually, by-products from bagasse amount to 31 x 104 mt; straw, 31 x 104 mt; rice
husk, 1.7 x 104 mt; bark, 5 x 104 mt; fruit and vegetable, 7 x 104 mt; mushroom, 5 x 104 mt; and
coconut, 0.5 x 104 mt (Huang and Lin 2001). Composting agricultural wastes and recycling them
on arable lands have been widely adopted to lessen the pressure on landfills and conserve natural
resources. Thus, the use of organic materials containing essential nutrients for plants reduces
importation of chemical fertilizers and their manufacture.
The Taiwanese government has heightened its advocacy on recycling organic wastes, including
livestock manure, in agricultural fields. However, composting organic wastes in a farmhouse has
been difficult because of shortage of labor and raw materials (Fig. 1). Commercialized
composting is quite popular in Taiwan, and the material resources are mainly from livestock
manure.
This paper discusses the various raw materials for composting, their benefits and drawbacks, and
the techniques of composting, mixing together different raw materials to achieve a better
balance.

4.2 Kinds and Sources of Main Organic Materials

Organic materials in Taiwan may be classified into eight categories on the basis of their origin,
as follows: crop residues, green manure, common compost, mushroom compost, animal manure
(cattle, swine, and poultry), municipal refuse, residues after oil extraction, and residues from
processing animal products. The nutrient contents of these materials differ greatly. The quantity
of each organic waste category is shown in Table 2 (Hsieh and Hsieh 1990). The total amount of
these major organic wastes is estimated up to 1,878 × 104 mt per year (Table 2). Some wastes
such as rice straw, with a high C:N ratio of more than 20, can be considered a good source of
carbon, but other wastes like animal manure with a low C:N ratio of less than 15 can be
considered a primary source of nitrogen (Wang 1989).
The daily average excretion of cattle (27.5 kg/ head) was the highest, followed by swine (0.85
kg/head), then poultry (0.12 kg/head) (Table 3). According to Yen (1989), the nutrient content of
poultry manure is much higher than that of swine or cattle manure (Table 4). Assuming the N,
P2O5, and K2O content of daily excretion of livestock as shown in Table 5, the total amounts of
nutrients in the manure of swine, cattle, and poultry in Taiwan were estimated to be 108,555 mt
of N; 121,113 mt of P2O5; and 87,711 mt of K2O. These quantities were equivalent to 45.5% N;
173.7% P2O5; and 90.1% K2O of the chemical fertilizers used in 1987 in Taiwan (Table 6).
Chang (1995) also reported that assuming the N, P2O5, and K2O contents of the daily excretions
of livestock as shown in Table 5, the total amounts of nutrients in the manure of swine, cattle,
and poultry in Taiwan were estimated to be 15.20 x 104 mt of N; 17.19 x 104 mt of P2O5; and
11.57 x 104 mt of K2O. These quantities were equivalent to 58% N, 233% P2O5, and 110%
K2O of the chemical fertilizers used in 1987 in Taiwan (Table 7).
4.3 Chemical Composition of Organic Wastes
Samples of crop residues; used mushroom compost; common compost; green manure; municipal
wastes; swine, cattle, and poultry manure; residues after oil extraction; and animal by-products in
Taiwan were analyzed for the chemical composition of their nutrient contents (Tables 8-14).

4.3.1 Crop Residues

Rice straw, rice hull, and other straws of graminaceous crops with abundant fibrous materials
usually have a high C:N ratio, with a low nitrogen content but fairly high potassium and silica
contents (Table 8). Potassium and silica help improve the resistance of crops to disease and
lodging, and fibrous materials provide an energy source for soil microorganisms as well as
improve and condition soil physical properties (Fig. 2). Crop residues are used as mulches to
cover the surface of the soil and help maintain favorable soil moisture content and temperature as
well as prevent the accumulation of salts or the multiplication of weeds on the soil surface (Fig.
3). These materials can well be combined with swine or poultry manure that has a high nitrogen
content to make better compost for crops (Lin et al.) (Fig. 4).
4.3.2 Green Manure
Leguminous green manure crops are an important source of natural nitrogen. They fix nitrogen
from the air and at flowering stage are usually incorporated into the soil, about ten days before
planting the main crop. In extensively cropped areas, green manure crops are of great value to
farmers since they reduce fertilizer costs. In intensively cropped areas, they may compete with
the main crop for land. However, even in areas with very intensive multiple cropping systems
like in Taiwan, some farmers are still growing Sesbania sesban or Crotalaria juncea as a green
manure crop in summer, and Berseem clover, milk vetch, and rape in the winter fallow season
before planting the main crop like rice, corn, and sorghum. The chemical composition analysis of
these green manure crops is shown in Table 9. These green manure crops that have low C:N ratio
(lower than 20 at vegetative stage) can be considered primary sources of nitrogen (Fig. 5).
4.3.3 Used Mushroom Compost
With the rapid development of the mushroom industry, used mushroom compost has become a
good source of organic manure in Taiwan in recent years. Such compost consists mainly of
sawdust (Fig. 6) and added with materials such as limestone and rice bran. Used mushroom
compost has low potassium content as a result of leaching losses during mushroom culture, but
the phosphorus, calcium, and C:N ratio and organic matter contents remain high (Table
10 and Fig. 7). Also, used mushroom compost has a high fibrous material content which
improves soil physical properties and biological activity. However, the remnant mycelia in these
 materials may sometimes have a harmful effect on the roots of some crops. Therefore, it is
recommended that used mushroom compost should be combined with a proper amount of high-
nitrogen manure such as swine or poultry manure or oil extraction residues and be well
fermented to kill the mycelia, before applying to the soil (Fig. 8).
4.3.4 Animal Manure (Cattle, Goat, Swine, Chicken)
The nutrient content of swine manure is slightly higher than that of cattle manure, but with a
higher copper content (Table 11) and lower content of fibrous material, discouraging repeated,
long-term applications of this manure (Fig. 9). It is best to dilute this manure by mixing it with
rice hull, sawdust, rice straw, and similar fibrous materials and fermenting it before use.
The nutrient content of chicken manure is much higher than that of swine manure (Table 11).
However, its higher content of zinc and antibiotics and lower content of fibrous material
discourage direct applications of fresh poultry manure to the soil. The best way to utilize this
manure is to mix it with cattle and swine manure, rice straw, rice hull, sawdust, and other fibrous
materials, and ferment it thoroughly before use.
Cattle manure has a reasonably high content of nitrogen, potassium, and fibrous materials. It is
good animal manure because it does not have heavy metals and antibiotics in it (Table 11).
Repeated applications of this manure to the soil can be recommended, but phosphorus should be
supplied from other sources to make up for its shortage in this manure. Nutrient content of goat
manure is slightly higher than that of cattle manure (Table 11).
4.3.5 Residues from Oil Extraction
Oil extraction residues from oil seeds generally have high nitrogen content and low level of
carbonaceous material (Table 12 and Fig. 10). Liberal applications of this material to the soil
may greatly promote the growth of a crop's vegetative parts. However, crops given this treatment
are usually weak and easily attacked and damaged by plant pests and environmental stresses. As
well, applying these residues to the soil when they are still fresh often attracts large numbers of
soil-borne insects, which may also harm the crop. It is best to mix these seed residues with rice
hull, sawdust, mushroom compost, bone meal, oyster shell, among other things, and fully
ferment the compost before use.
4.3.6 Residues from Processing Animal Products
The nutrient contents of animal residues differ greatly according to the type of residue (Table
13). Animal blood, meat, horn, feet, wool, and feathers can all be used as a source of nitrogen
fertilizer since they all have very high nitrogen content. Oyster shell and eggshell are good
sources of calcium and bone meal can be a good source of phosphorus. However, all of them are
very low in potassium. Fur should not be used in composting because of its high chromium
content that can easily accumulate in the soil, causing toxicity in crops.
4.3.7 Reasons for Composting Agricultural Waste for Fertilizer Use
 Composting improves the physical characteristics of agricultural wastes.
 It lowers the C:N ratio, thus avoiding the nutrient competition between plants and
microorganisms. Because agricultural wastes contain relatively less nitrogen, they inhibit the
growth and reproduction of nitrogen-loving microbes.
 It lowers the volume of waste by four-fifths its original volume.
 It sterilizes, because of high temperatures during composting, weed seeds, germs, and pests in
agricultural wastes, reducing the cost of production and disease and pest control.
 It minimizes poor aeration problems. When directly applied without composting, agricultural
wastes may exude toxic substances such as H2S, organic acids, and phenolic compounds and gas
of methane and N2O.
4.3.8 Advantages of Composting Agricultural Wastes
 Composting lessens pollution impact on environments.
 It boosts soil fertility, improving both the biological and physicochemical properties of the
organic material.
 It allows the utilization of essential nutrients from agricultural wastes in growing crops.
 It aids the use of slow-release fertilizers, particularly its nitrogen content, which after one-third is
used, becomes slow-release humic nitrogen.
 It has a growth-promoting humic substance or phyto-hormone that accelerates root development.
 It increases and diversifies the microbe phase, reducing pathological and pest incidence.
 It minimizes nutrient loss as negatively charged organic material maintains and holds nutrients.
 It produces humic substances (humates) with high buffering capacity for better soil management.

4.4 Conclusion
Because of their multiple roles in improving the physical, chemical, and biological properties of
soil, organic materials are very important in maintaining soil fertility. However, organic
materials per se cannot give the full range of soil benefits. Some carbonaceous organic materials
such as rice straw, corn stalk, rice hull, and sawdust are very useful in improving the physical
and biological properties of soil, but they are very slow in releasing nutrients like nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium. Some nitrogenous organic materials such as residues left after oil
extraction and swine and poultry manure are high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium but
have little impact on improving soil physical properties. A proper combination of carbonaceous
and nitrogenous organic materials makes an ideal compost or an effective and complete fertilizer.
Furthermore, because some organic materials contain harmful mycelia, antibiotics, plant pests,
and excessive level of heavy metals, proper mixing and composting, leading to dilution and
sterilization, may greatly promote the quality of organic materials.

4.5 References
 Chang S.S. 1995. Research and development in the appropriate use of organic materials for crop
productions current status and perspective. pp. 1-14. In: Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute
(ed.), Proceedings of the Conference on Rational Application of Organic Fertilizer.
 Huang S.N. and C.C. Lin. 2001. Current of organic materials recycling in southern Taiwan. pp.
14-24. In: Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for Asian and Pacific Region (ed.),
Proceedings of the International Workshop on Recent Technologies of Composting and Their
Applications.
 Hsieh, S.C. and C.F. Hsieh. 1990. The use of organic matter in crop production. 315:1-19.
Taiwan, ROC: Taichung District Agricultural Improvement Station.
 Lin, Y. W., T. S. Liu, and C. H. Wang. 2003. Study on nitrogen mineralization characteristics of
organic materials. J. Agric. Res. China 53:178-190.
 Wang, H.H. 1989. Utilization of agricultural wastes in organic farming. Organic Farming,
special publication 16:217-227. Taiwan, ROC: Taichung District Agricultural Improvement
Station. (In Chinese).
 Yen, S.C. 1989. Utilization of animal wastes in organic agriculture. Organic Farming, special
publication 16:229-242. Taiwan, ROC: Taichung District Agricultural Improvement Station. (In
Chinese).

Index of Images

Table 6 Total Amount of N, P2O5, and K2O in Swine, Poultry, and Cattle Manure in Taiwan,
1987.


 Figure 1 Composting Organic Fertilizers in a Farmhouse Is Difficult Because of Shortage in
Labor and Raw Materials.

Figure 2 Crop Residues Usually Have Low Nitrogen Content, but Fairly High Potassium and
Silica Content, and a High C/N Ratio: A) Rice Straw; B) Crushed Rice Hull; C) Peanut Hull; D)
Coconut Shell.

Figure 3 Crop Resides Are Used to Cover the Surface of the Soil; These Materials Are Good
Mulches Which Help Maintain a Favorable Soil Moisture Content and Temperature, and Prevent
the Accumulation of Salts or the Multiplication of Weeds on the Soil Surface.


Figure 4 Crop Residues Can Well Be Combined with Swine or Poultry Manure with High
Nitrogen Content, to Make Better Compost.

Figure 5 Green Manure Which Has a Low C/N Ratio of Lower Than 20 at Vegetative Stage, Can
Be Considered Primarily As a Source of N: A) Sesbania Sesban; B) Crotalaria Juncea; C)
Berseem Clover; D) Rape.


Figure 6 Mushroom Compost Made up Mainly of Sawdust.

Figure 7 Used Mushroom Compost Has Low Potassium Content As a Result of Leaching Losses
during Mushroom Culture, but Phosphorus, Calcium, and C/N Ratio and Organic Matter
Contents Remain High.


Figure 8 Used Mushroom Compost Should Be Combined with a Proper Amount of High-
Nitrogen Manure Such As Swine or Poultry Manure or Residues after Oil Extraction, and Should
Be Well Fermented to Kill the Mycelia, before It Is Applied to the Soil.

Figure 9 The Direct Application of Fresh Poultry Manure to the Soil Is Discouraged Due to Its
High Content of Zinc and Antibiotics, and Low Content of Fibrous Material.


Table 1 Estimated Amounts of Organic Wastes Produced in Taiwan, 1999.

Figure 10 Residues from Oil Seeds after Oil Extraction Generally Have High Nitrogen Content
and Low Level of Carbonaceous Material.


Table 2 Estimated Quantity of Major Organic Wastes Produced in Taiwan.

Table 3 Daily Average Excretion of Swine, Poultry, and Cattle.

Table 4 Average Content of N, P2O5, and K2O in Fresh Manure of Swine, Poultry, and Cattle.

Table 5 Daily Excretions of N, P2O5, and K2O of Swine, Poultry, and Cattle (Unit: G/Head/Day).


Table 7 Estimated Environmental Loadings of N, P2O5, and K2O Coming from Chemical
Fertilizer Consumptions and Animal Excretions in Taiwan, 1994 (10 Kton).


Table 8 Chemical Analysis of Crop Residues (DRY Matter Basis).

Table 9 Chemical Analysis of Green Manure Crops (DRY Matter Basis).



Table 10 Results of Chemical Analysis of Mushroom Culture Wastes (DRY Matter Basis).

Table 11 Results of Chemical Analysis of Animal Manure (DRY Matter Basis).


 Table 12 Chemical Analysis of Residues Left after Oil Extraction from Various Oil Seeds (DRY
Matter Basis).


The Principal Role of Organic Fertilizer on
Soil Properties and Agricultural Productivity
-A Review
Sisay Assefa1* and Sisay Tadesse2
1
Debre Berhan University ,College of Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, Ethiopia
2
Aris University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Ethiopia
Submission:July 01, 2019; Published: August 09, 2019
*Corresponding author: Sisay Assefa, Debre Berhan University, College of Agriculture and
Natural Resource Sciences, Ethiopia
How to cite this article: Sisay Assefa . The Principal Role of Organic Fertilizer on Soil
Properties and Agricultural Productivity -A Review. Agri Res& Tech: Open Access J. 2019;
22(2): 556192. DOI: 10.19080/ARTOAJ.2019.22.556192
Go to

Abstract
As a key component of agricultural sustainability, organic fertilizer contributes greatly to
improving soil fertility. Therefore, the objective of this review is to revise the role of
organic fertilizer on agricultural product and productivity. The newly sourced artificial
fertilizer had a short-term benefit, but it had severe long-term side effect such as soil
toxicity and decline soil fertility. Afterward, the idea of organic farming was acceptable to
developed organic agriculture system. The use of organic fertilizers has advantage of being
cheap, improving soil structure, texture and aeration increasing the soils water retention
abilities and stimulating healthy root development. Organic fertilizer has many sources
such as minerals, animal source, sewage sludge and plant. Vegetables, animals and residue
materials had a contribution to improve soil organic matter content in soil. Therefor it is
recommended that, using integrated nutrient management is a continuous improvement of
soil productivity on longer term basis through appropriate use of organic fertilizers (i.e.
animal manure, plants residue and sewage sludge) and their scientific management for
increments of optimum growth, yield and quality of different crops.
Keywords:Organic fertilizer; Fertility; Agricultural productivity
Go to
Introduction
Among the problems inherent to tropical soils, soil acidity, characterized by low pH,
excessive aluminium, deficient calcium, and low organic matter is the most serious.
Tropical soils are often unproductive because some of these soils are prone to strong
phosphate fixation that renders phosphorus unavailable to plant. Soils that are prone to
strong phosphate fixation (adsorption to oxides and clay minerals) often require extremely
high phosphate fertilization application in order to alleviate the effect of phosphate
fixation. Soil acidity and mineral deficiencies can be corrected by lime and fertilizers.
Unfortunately, lime and fertilizers are not always easy options available to small and
resource-poor farmers. Agriculture was practiced for thousands of years without the use of
artificial chemicals in the world. Artificial fertilizers were first formed during the mid-19th
century. These organic fertilizers were cheap, powerful, and easy to transport in bulk. The
new artificial fertilizer technology had a beneficial in the short term, had serious longer-
term side effects such as soil compaction, erosion, and declines in overall soil fertility, along
with health concerns about toxic chemicals entering the food supply. In the late 1800s and
early 1900s, soil biologist began to seek ways to reme dy these side effects while still
maintaining higher production [1]. Similarly, inorganic fertilizers were known for their
high cost and their negative environmental effect if managed poorly [2]. The agricultural
sector in Ethiopia was the major part for sustaining the growth and reducing poverty.
However, lack of adequate nutrient, the depletion of soil organic matter and soil erosion
are the major obstacles to sustained agricultural production. Since 1998, Ethiopia has
included conservational tillage and compost as part of its extension package to reverse land
degradation [3]. There exists ample evidence to show that compost and conservation
tillage can result in higher and comparable yields, compared to chemical fertilizers [4]. The
use of organic fertilizers which emphasizes maximum reliance on renewable local or farm
resource. The advantage this fertilizer was cheap, improving soil arrangement, texture and
airing, increasing the soils water preservation abilities and stimulating healthy root
development [5]. In the developing world, many producers farm according to traditional
methods that are comparable to organic farming, but not certified, and that may not include
the latest scientific advancements in organic agriculture. In other cases, farmers in the
developing world have converted to modern organic methods for economic reasons.
Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to overview the principal role of organic
fertilizer on agricultural productivity.
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Concept and Definition of Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizers were defined as materials having definite chemical composition with a
high analytical value that supply plant nutrient in available form [6]. Organic fertilizers are
fertilizers derived from animal matter, human execrate or vegetable matter (e.g. compost,
manure). Organic fertilizers are made with natural raw material; it usually pertains to our
biodegradable wet suit. Usually compost is made by decomposing biodegradable wastes.
These wastes include paper, leaves, fruit peelings left over foods and even fruit juices.
Organic fertilizers make a good addition to the soil. It makes the soil reach and ideal to
planting.
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Source of Organic Fertilizers

The main organic fertilizers were sourced from peat, animal wastes (often from
slaughterhouse), and plant wastes from agriculture and sewage sludge. Naturally occurring
organic fertilizers include animal wastes from meat processing, peat, and slurry. Organic
fertilizers were carbon-based compounds that increase the productivity and growth quality
of plants. Organic fertilizers, far from being purified and simplified chemicals, were
complex compounds that add numerous secondary and micro-nutrients. Organics such as
manures, powdered rocks (such as lime, rock phosphate, and greensand), blood meal, bone
meal, wood ash and compost all contain important micronutrients, and their texture would
improve soil quality rather than degrading it. Organic farmer’s emphasis using only organic
fertilizers for fertility maintains. In many aspects, organic farming was the way of life as it
is a method of farming. Soil nutrient depletion and likely degradation have been considered
serious threats to agricultural productivity and have been identified as major causes of
decreased crop yields and per capita food production [7]. The positive effects organic
farming has on the environment and quality of food, it also greatly helps a farmer to
become self-sufficient in his requirements for agro-inputs and reduce his costs. Organic
farming aspires to a combine mixture of organic, environmental, social and ethic objectives.
Mined powdered limestone, rock phosphate and Chilean salt peter were in organic (not of
biological organs) compounds which can be energetically intensive to harvest. mineral
fertilizers containing N, P, K and S not only increase crop yield but also improve nutritional
quality of crop yields, such as protein, oil, starch, essential amino acids and vitamins in
pulses, oil seeds, tubers, and vegetables respectively. Animal source materials include the
product of slaughter of animal, blood meal, bone meal, hides, hoofs, and horns were
typically precursors. Chicken litters, which consists of chicken manure mixed with sawdust,
was an organic fertilizer that has been shown to better condition soil for harvest than
synthesized fertilizers. Common form of animal manure includes farmyard manure or farm
slurry. Farmyard manure also contains plant materials (often straw), which has been used
as bedding for animal and has absorbed the faces and urine. Agricultural manure in liquid
form known as slurry is produced by more intensive livestock rearing systems where
concrete or salt are used, instead of straw bedding. Manure from different animals had
different qualities and requires different application rates when used as fertilizer.
Sewage sludge is materials that contain human excreta, as it is generated after mixing
excreta with water and treatment of wastewater in sewage treatment plant. Green manure
are crops grown for the express purpose of plowing them in those increasing fertility
through incorporation of nutrients and organic matter into the soil Leguminous plant such
as clover is often used for this, as they fix nitrogen using rhizobia bacteria in specialized
nodes in the root structure. Green manure, wherever feasible, is the principal
supplementary meals of adding organic matter to the soil. It consists in the growing of
quick growing crop and ploughing it in order to incorporate it into the soil [6].
Decomposing crop residue (green manure) from prior years is another source of fertility.
Nitrogen is required for the growth of vegetative parts such as the stems and the leaves,
while your plants will have healthy roots if they get a sufficient amount of phosphorus.
Phosphorus was also required for good flowers and fruits. Potassium makes the plant
healthy by facilitating the circulation of nutrients within the plant. Moreover, plants also
require other nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium. Since these were required, you
need not add them separately unless in exceptional cases, if the soil was totally devoid of
these minerals or the crop you wish to grow transforms organic substrates into a stable,
humus-like material [8]. In addition to the carbon storage benefits of adding compost to
agricultural soils, composting can lead to improved soil quality, improved productivity, and
cost savings. For example, nutrients in compost tend to foster soil fertility [9].
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Importance of Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizers were different from chemical fertilizers in that the materials were a by-
product of vegetables, animals or minerals. The decomposing matter from these sources,
break down naturally and would provide nutrient and minerals to the soil. When
considering lawn maintenance, it was necessary to make sure that the lawn or garden gets
the all of nutrients that it needed for health growth. Although nutrients were available in
regular soil, fertilizers can provide and ensure that the plant had a balance and suitable
access of nutrients, proper lawn care include providing for the health of the lawn and
garden. One of the benefits of organic fertilizer was that the nutrients were related more
slowly than chemical fertilizers. This slower process allows the plant to process the
fertilizer in a more natural way and will not result in over fertilizing which could damage
the plant [10]. The soil drainage and air circulation of the soil can also be improved. Having
a compost pile was also a great way to get rid of food waste and still contribute to your
lawn care and environment. It was an important valuable option that would help the soil
and environmental be health and produce the best plants. Synthetic fertilizers usually
contain chemicals which were not easily biodegradable. These chemicals leach into the soil
and eventually find their way into the water system where they were consumed by birds
and other wildlife. In contrast, organic fertilizer had no such harmful compounds and
therefore didn’t pose this danger, even with increased use. In addition, when synthetic
fertilizers were sprayed on plants and lawns, they pose an immediate danger to kids and
pets that play in the garden and on the grass. Caution must be exercised when using these
toxins, and exposure must be limited. Unlike chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers reduce
acidity in the soil and do not cause leaching. They do not kill beneficial microorganisms in
the soil. Organic fertilizers also help improve the structure of the soil including the
circulation of air, which sustains beneficial microorganisms that help release nutrients to
the soil.
In many agriculture areas, pollution of groundwater causes with synthetic fertilizers and
pesticides. Organic fertilizers through the use of greater biodiversity, enhancing soil
structure and water infiltration. Well managed organic systems with better nutrient
retentive abilities, greatly reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. Organic agriculture
contributes to mitigating the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to
sequester carbon in the soil. Many management practices used by organic agriculture
increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage.
Combinations of plants and animals optimize nutrient and energy cycling for agricultural
production. The provision of structures providing food and shelter, and the lack of
pesticide use, attract new or re-colonizing species to the organic area, including wild flora
and fauna (e.g. birds) and organisms beneficial to the organic system such as pollinators
and pest predators [11]. If households are endowed with sufficient labour to apply manure,
then the probability to opt for expensive fertilizers decreases. Other than reciprocally
affecting one another, manure and fertilizer uses are also affected by other factors in
similar or in different directions. It reveals that the likelihood of applying both fertilizer
and manure increases within increase in parcel size [12].
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Impacts of Organic Fertilizer Application on

SoilProperties
Declines in organic matter content of soils due to cultivation and erosion have been a major
concern related to sustainability of agriculture. Therefore, management practices that
increase the organic matter content were deemed desirable to soil quality and productivity.
Moreover, soil organic matter increases following repeated applications of solid cattle
manure. The effect of manure on soil pH is variable. Repeated applications of N fertilizer
may lead to soil acidification due to acidity produced in the nitrification process, while
organic matter added as manure can act to help buffer the soil against a decrease in pH,
manure that is low in organic matter and high in ammonium nitrogen may result in a
decrease in pH due to acidity produced when the ammonium is oxidized to nitrate in the
soil [13]. Moreover, Whalen et al. [14] stated that an immediate increase in the pH of two
acid soils following fresh cattle manure application and concluded that the effects of
manure on soil pH would depend on the manure source and soil characteristics. Manures of
high organic matter and carbonate content would be most effective in raising the pH of an
acid soil and also buffering against changes in pH once in the soil. The content of organic
matter was an essential indicator of soil quality and fertility [15]. Organic matter was one
of the three soil components that are crucial for its physicochemical properties, such as its
sportive and buffer abilities as well as its biodiversity and biological activity. Because of the
positive influence of organic matter on soil functionality, it was imperative that its
resources be maintained or improved [16]. Soils that received repeated applications of
cattle manure were more friable to the feel and less compacted under foot than those of the
unmannered plots Campbell et al. [17]. Farmyard manure has long been known to improve
soil structure, increase porosity and water holding capacity and decrease evaporation
rates, that cattle feed manure applications to soils increased water infiltration into the soil
while reported that additions of manure decreased crust strength. Improvements in
physical soil quality characteristics were generally indicated by increases in water
infiltration, macro porosity, aggregate size and stability, and soil OM.
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Role of Organic Fertilizer for Agriculture
The increased consumer demand appears to be driven primarily by the perception that
organically grown produce was safer and more nutrients to eat than produce grown
conventionally [18]. Similarly, the use of inorganic fertilizer has been observed to cause the
destruction of soil texture and structure, which often leads to soil erosion and acidity as a
result of the leaching effect of nutrients. All these give rise to reduced crop yields as a result
of soil degradation and nutrients imbalance [19]. Edmeades [20] concluded that manured
soil had higher organic matter levels, lower bulk density, higher porosity and hydraulic
conductivity, and greater aggregate stability than soils fertilized conventionally Karlen and
Stott, [21]. Improvements in all of these soil quality indicators would optimize crop growth.
Thus, one of the most significant benefits of manure as an organic nutrient source was the
potential to maintain or increase soil organic matter levels
Power and Doran, [22] Microbial biomass and labile organic matter pools were often
greater in organic than conventionally managed soils. Higher organic matter content, N
mineralization potential, and microbial biomass were observed in organically farmed plots
than in those receiving commercial fertilizers. Liebig and Doran [23], found greater total C
and N, microbial biomass, soil respiration, and mineralizable N in organically managed
farms than in conventional farms. In general, tissue dry matter content was reported to be
higher in organically grown leafy vegetables, but not in fruit [24]. Similarly, Heaton [25]
stated that dry matter produce from organic systems was higher than in conventionally
grown produce. High rates of K fertilization have been reported to reduce dry matter
content in some crops [26-41].
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Summary and Conclusion

Organic and synthetic fertilizers had a role in on soil properties and agriculture and the
good points of each should be acknowledged. But inorganic fertilizer had more demerit
than organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizers are fertilizers derived from animal matter, human
excreta or vegetable matter (compost, manure). Organic farming is a production system
that avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators
and livestock feed additives and rely on crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures,
legumes, green manures, off-farm organic wastes and mineral bearing rocks. Organic
farming aspires to a combine mixture of organic, environmental, social and ethic objectives.
For instance, compost provides air, water, organic matter, and microorganisms to your
plants, thus enhancing their growth. It also maintains a healthy atmosphere for the soil and
hence keeps insects, plant diseases, and weeds away. Many organic materials serve as both
fertilizers and soil conditioners; they feed both soils and plants. Microbial biomass was
often greater in organic than conventionally managed soils. Organic fertilizers are carbon-
based compounds that increase the productivity and growth quality of plants. The majority
of organic fertilizers can be prepared locally or on the farm itself. Use of these organic
fertilizers ensures that the food items produced are free of harmful chemicals. Therefore, it
is recommended that the use of organic fertilizer or combined application is more
beneficial than artificial fertilizers in order to preserve soil properties and increase the soil
productivity.
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