Why is immediate incorporation of manure recommended?

Immediate incorporation of manure is recommended primarily to minimize nutrient leaching. When manure is applied to the soil surface and left exposed, rainfall or irrigation can wash away nutrients, particularly nitrogen, into the groundwater. This not only diminishes the availability of nutrients for crops but can also contribute to water pollution issues, such as the contamination of local water sources through nitrogen runoff.

Incorporating manure into the soil immediately after application places those nutrients directly into the root zone where plants can access them more efficiently. Additionally, this practice helps reduce the potential for environmental loss of nutrients, thus promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Other benefits of incorporating manure may include preventing crop damage by avoiding surface buildup that can harm plants and improving soil structure over time, but the foremost reason for immediate incorporation centers on the critical aspect of nutrient conservation.