Answer:
Soil
provides thirteen nutrients to plants.
These nutrients are classified as
Manures
These are organic substances obtained through the decomposition
of plant waste like straw and animal waste like cow dung. It is classified as
compost and vermicompost. (1)
Advantages ofMenures
(i) Manures enrich soil with nutrients.
(ii) Manures improves the soil texture and increases water
holding capacity and drainage in soil.
(iii) Biological waste material protect our environment
from excessive use of fertilisers.
Disadvantages of Manures
(i) Manures are inconvenient to handle, store and transport
as they are bulky.
(ii) The nutrients present in manures are released slowly in
soil.
(iii) They are not nutrients specific and supplies only small
quantities of nutrients. (2)
Fertilisers
These are organic or inorganic matter that supply one or
the other nutrients. It basically supplies nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Advantages of Fertilisers
(i) Their manufacture provides economic benefit to some
class of people.
(ii) They are easy to handle, store and transport.
(iii) They are easily soluble in water and easily absorbed
by plants.
Disadvantages of Fertilisers
(i) Continuous use of fertilisers in an area can destroy
soil fertility.
(ii) Organic matter in the soil are not replenished and
microorganisms in the soil are harmed by the fertilisers used.
(iii) They cause water pollution, when fertiliser gets washed
away due to excessive irrigation. (2)
Macronutrients
Micronutrients
Required in large quantity.
Required in small quantity.
These are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium,
sulphur and magnesium.
These are iron, manganese, copper, molybdenum, chlorine,
boron and zinc.
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