Compare the use of manure and fertilisers in maintaining soil fertility.

Ans:

• Manure improves soil quality with added nutrients.
• Manure provides extra organic matter called humus to the soil and therefore increasing the water retention capacity of sandy soils and drainage in clayey soil.
• Manures reduce soil erosion.
• They provide food for soil-friendly bacteria, which are helpful in growing crops.

The effects of fertilisers are

• Fertilisers make the soil become too dry and powdered and raise the rate of soil erosion.
• The organic matter decreases by decreasing the porosity of the soil; hence, the plant roots do not get oxygen properly.
• The nature of soil changes, either basic or acidic.