Organic manure is an important source of nutrient element for plants. It plays a . critical role in improving soil physical condition. It improves soil aggregation, which in turn influence infiltration, movement and retention of soil water, soil aeration, soil temperature, soil strength and root penetration. Higher the organic matter content, the higher will be the microbial activity and higher the availability of nutrient to the plants. Some of the food elements that roses require already exist in virgin soil but they will quickly become exhausted and must be regularly replaced by natural manures.
Physical structure of the soil should also be taken into account so that roots can grow unimpeded and form a fine network that can readily absorb the nutrients that are available to them. Thorough preparation of the ground before planting roses is essential for good results. Green manuring is the best way to improve neglected soils or to bring back into condition a soil, which has become rose sick. Farm yard manure and peat, are excellent which improve water retention on light soil and soil structure on heavy soils. Fish manure, hoofs and horn, meat and bone meal are all good slow acting manure.
Dried blood is fairly quick acting and useful stimulant. A fallen leaf added to the compost heap is a source of natural manure. Compost manure is infinitely superior to the others, since the object of composting is to make humus of high food value, and the best humus is made by composting animal and vegetable matters together. Regular application of humusforming material such as farmyard manure, peat, compost or leaf moulds are beneficial to rose plants. Cow dung manure or horse manure are also used in roses with successes. Organic manure are rendered soluble by soil action, slowly and over a long period.
The best time to manure on established plant is at pruning. Immediately after pruning, some soil around the base of the plant is removed and manure is spread evenly and worked into the soil. The dug out soil is returned to its original place and leveled. Supplementary manuring may also be done after the first flush of blooming is over. The rate of application of organic manure depends upon the source and nature of the soil.
Usually, sandy soil needs heavier and more frequent application of organic manure than heavier soil. Well-decomposed farmyard manure has been the choice of the organic manure of rose growers. Application of 8 to 10Kg per plant or 4 to 5 tones per hectare has been found useful. While application of 30 tones of municipal compost per hectare proved very effective in improving the vegetative growth of roses.
Application of 100 bullock carts of well rotten cow manure per acre per year along with 300gm of fish meal and 250gm of ralli meal per plant was recommended for commercial production of roses. Before preparation of beds, green manuring with Crotaleria jlmcea (sun hemp) and Sesbania catl1labina (daincha) is recommended for effective organic practice for rose cultivation. Depending upon the size of the plant, farmyard manure, compost or activated shudge at the rate of half a basket or one basket per plant per year can be applied for higher production of quality flowers.
Soil fungi and bacteria are reduced to small numbers in soils that are dry or deficient in organic matter. Cow dung is very slowly oxidized and so it effects in soil are lasting. Horse dung is very rich in plant food if obtained from the stall, for it then contains urine and great quantities of straw, and it is so "hot" at this time that it should not be put straight on to garden beds but should be inter layered with soil in a heap and allowed to stand for couple of weeks.
Bird-droppings are the richest of all animal manures, and it is improved in quality and safety if stored in a heap, mixed with earth, under cover for a weak or more. Ship dung is rich in N, P and K as compared to horse or cow dung, but usually contains great number of weed seeds. Pig dung is very rich and must be used sparingly, but its offensive odor makes it undesirable in suburban areas. Blood manure is also very rich and quick in action; it should be used as sparingly as chemical fertilizers, with a maximum dressing of about 3oz to the square yard. Bone meal contains,a high percentage of phosphorus, but since its is an insoluble form and manural action is slow, it influence extends over many years.
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