Manures fertilizers and soil fertility management
Soil nutrient management is essential for sustainable biomass production and for maintaining soil quality. Organic manure increased soil pH, the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and major cations. The growth of yellow poplars by organic manure treatment is comparable to that of NPK fertilizer treatment.

Activity to demonstrate the significance of manure and fertilizers in enhancing crop production

Aim:
To show that manure and fertilizers are essential to increase production.

Materials required:
1. Two identical pots
2. Soil
3. Seeds (any crop)
4. Manure
5. Fertilizers
6. Water
7. Measuring cups
8. Label

Procedure:

1. Take two identical pots and fill them with equal amounts of soil.
2. Label the pots as ‘Pot A’ and ‘Pot B’.
3. Add a measured quantity of manure to ‘Pot A’ and mix it well with the soil.
4. Add a measured quantity of fertilizer to ‘Pot B’ and mix it well with the soil.
5. Sow the seeds in both the pots and water them.
6. Keep the pots in a place where they receive equal amounts of sunlight and water them regularly.
7. Observe the growth of the plants in both pots and record the observations daily.
8. After a few weeks, measure the height of the plants in both pots.
9. Compare the growth of the plants in both pots and note the difference in their height.
10. Conclude that the use of manure and fertilizers enhances the growth and yield of the crops.

Observations:

Pot A (with manure):
• The plants grew taller and healthier.
• The leaves were greener and larger.
• The yield was higher.

Pot B (with fertilizer):
• The plants grew taller but not as healthy as Pot A.
• The leaves were smaller and not as green.
• The yield was lower.

Conclusion:
This activity shows that the use of manure and fertilizers enhances the growth and yield of the crops. Manure provides essential nutrients to the soil, which in turn helps the plants to grow healthier and produce a higher yield. Fertilizers, on the other hand, provide nutrients in a concentrated form, which can help the plants to grow faster. However, excessive use of fertilizers can harm the soil and the environment. Hence, it is essential to use manure and fertilizers in the right quantities to achieve maximum yield.