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Microbes as Decomposers
- Soil holds many microbes, like fungi and bacteria.
- They act on plant and animal waste and break it down.
- This makes a dark, nutrient-rich material called manure.
- The nutrients go back into the soil and help plants grow.
Example 1 — Compost Pit
- Peels are buried in soil for a few weeks.
- Microbes break them into dark manure.
- So the waste becomes useful for the soil.
Example 2 — Fallen Leaves
- Fallen leaves are gathered in a pit.
- Microbes slowly decompose them.
- So they turn into natural manure.
Important Points
- Microbes also decompose the bodies of dead animals.
- Manure forms best at the right temperature and moisture.
Definition — Manure
Manure is the dark, nutrient-rich material formed when microbes break down plant and animal waste.
Materials needed
An empty container and garden soil.
Fruit and vegetable peels.
Fruit and vegetable peels.
Procedure
Fill the container halfway with soil.
Add the peels and cover them with a layer of soil.
Leave it aside for 2 to 3 weeks.
Then observe the contents.
Add the peels and cover them with a layer of soil.
Leave it aside for 2 to 3 weeks.
Then observe the contents.
Observation
The peels have turned into a dark-coloured material.
Explanation
Microbes in the soil broke down the peels into manure. So microbes recycle waste and enrich the soil.
◆ Summary
- Bury peels in soil.
- Wait a few weeks.
- Peels become dark manure.
- Microbes recycle waste.
📜 Our Scientific Heritage — "Krimi" in the Vedas
Ancient Indian texts, especially the Vedas, use the word "Krimi" for tiny living entities.
These include "Drishya" (visible) and "Adrishya" (invisible) ones. Vedic texts, like the Atharvaveda, mention their helpful and harmful effects.
⭐ A Step Further — Microbes Make Biogas
Some microbes live without oxygen and break down plant and animal waste.
In the process, they release gases including methane. This biogas is used as fuel for cooking, heating, electricity, and even vehicles.
🔭 Be a Scientist — Dr. Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty
Dr. Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty (1938–2020) studied bacteria.
His work
In 1971, he developed a bacterium that could break down oil spills, helping to clean the environment. His discovery received a patent in 1980. A patent stops others from copying or selling an invention without permission. His work showed how microbes can solve pollution problems.
