**Manure and Humus: Understanding the Difference**

Manure and humus are two terms commonly used in the context of soil fertility and organic matter. While they both contribute to enhancing soil health, there are distinct differences between them. Let's delve into the details:

**Manure:**

Manure refers to organic matter that originates from animal waste, such as livestock, poultry, or even humans. It is a valuable source of nutrients and organic material that can be used as a fertilizer. Manure can be classified into two main types: farmyard manure and composted manure.

1. **Farmyard Manure:** Farmyard manure is the raw or partially decomposed animal waste mixed with straw, bedding materials, and other organic substances. It contains a variety of nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and micronutrients.

2. **Composted Manure:** Composted manure is produced by decomposing farmyard manure under controlled conditions. This decomposition process, known as composting, helps in breaking down the organic matter, making it more stable and nutrient-rich. Composting also eliminates pathogens, parasites, and weed seeds present in the raw manure.

**Humus:**

Humus, on the other hand, is the end-product of the decomposition of organic matter, including plant residues, dead organisms, and animal waste. It is a dark, stable, and highly decomposed substance that plays a crucial role in soil fertility. Humus is rich in humic and fulvic acids, which have several benefits for the soil.

1. **Nutrient Retention:** Humus has a high cation exchange capacity (CEC), which enables it to retain and release essential nutrients for plant uptake. This helps in preventing nutrient leaching and improves nutrient availability in the soil.

2. **Improving Soil Structure:** Humus enhances soil structure by binding individual soil particles together, forming aggregates. These aggregates create pore spaces, allowing for proper aeration, water infiltration, and root penetration. Improved soil structure promotes healthy plant growth.

3. **Water Retention:** Humus has the ability to hold water like a sponge. It increases the water-holding capacity of the soil, reducing water runoff and enhancing drought resistance. Additionally, it helps prevent soil erosion by stabilizing soil particles.

4. **Microbial Activity:** Humus acts as a food source for beneficial soil microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. These microorganisms aid in nutrient cycling, decomposition of organic matter, and the suppression of harmful pathogens.

In summary, manure is the raw or composted animal waste used as a fertilizer, while humus is the stable end-product of organic matter decomposition. Manure provides essential nutrients to the soil, while humus improves soil structure, nutrient retention, water-holding capacity, and supports beneficial microbial activity. Both manure and humus contribute to soil fertility and play vital roles in sustainable agriculture practices.

Reference: EduRev

Manure is an organic matter composed of animal feces, wasted feed, etc. It is used as fertilizer to increase the fertility of soil. It is not the layer of soil. Manure is an excellent fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients. It also adds organic matter to the soil which may improve soil structure, aeration, soil moisture-holding capacity, and water infiltration.

Humus is dark brown in colour and rich in minerals. It increases the soil fertility and the water retaining capacity of the soil. It is the top most layer of soil. Humus refers to organic matter that has reached a point of stability, where no further breakdown will take place and might, if conditions do not change, remain as it is for centuries.



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