What are manures? What are the functions of manures?

Manures:

1. Manures are the organic substances,
2. obtained by the decomposition of animal waste and plant residues by microbes.
3. They are used to fertilize the land.
4. They contain large quantities of organic matter and also supply small quantities of nutrients to the soil.

The functions of manures are:

1. Manures increase soil fertility.
2. They maintain optimum conditions for the activities of soil microbes.
3. They also enhance the water holding capacity of the soil.