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Urine as an alternative fertilizer in agriculture: Effects in amaranths (Amaranthus caudatus) production
- O.O. AdeOluwa, O. Cofie
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- Journal:
- Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems / Volume 27 / Issue 4 / December 2012
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 03 January 2012, pp. 287-294
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Crop production in most developing countries is faced with a dearth of resources for optimum production of which fertilizer is one. The use of human urine as well as its mixture with compost are potential solutions to this problem. Thus, this report investigated the influence of human urine and its combination with compost on yield and soil quality of land under green amaranths (Amaranthus caudatus). This study involved a field experiment to determine the response of green amaranths to the application of 100% urine, 2/3 urine N + 1/3 compost N, 100% compost N, NPK (15:15:15) at the rate of 100 kg N ha−1 and control with no fertilizer treatment using farmers’ participatory approach. The vegetables produced from the experimental treatments were analyzed in the laboratory for pathogenic microbial risk as well as effects of the fertilizer on nutrient status of the experimental soils (before and after planting). Perception of farmers and consumers in the study area regarding use of urine as fertilizer for vegetable production was investigated with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The result of this investigation revealed that 100% urine resulted in 58.17 t ha−1 total plant yield, while NPK 15:15:15 gave 34.34 t ha−1 total plant yield in the two plantings. Microbial analysis of edible portion of vegetable from plot fertilized with urine did not reveal any significantly different pathological contamination compared to other fertilizer treatments used in this investigation. Urine treatment improved soil nutrient exchangeable cations and acidity. The perception study revealed that respondents perceived urine to be a good agricultural input that could be used as a fertilizer in vegetable crop production and there was no strong cultural norm that would prevent them using it for crop production. Vegetable consumers would also buy vegetable crops grown with urine if they are well informed about its safety for crop production. Since the use of urine as fertilizer for crop production improved amaranth's yield and did not show any negative implication on soil environment, human urine seems to have good potential both in crop yield and acceptability by farmers and consumers.
The use of human waste for peri-urban agriculture in Northern Ghana
- O.O. Cofie, G. Kranjac-Berisavljevic, Pay Drechsel
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- Journal:
- Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems / Volume 20 / Issue 2 / June 2005
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 12 February 2007, pp. 73-80
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In Ghana, studies on the use of organic materials to increase soil productivity have focused on crop-residue management, use of green and animal manures, and legume cover cropping. Few studies have assessed the use of human waste for agriculture, even though this is widely practiced by farmers in the northern part of the country. This study was carried out to investigate the stakeholders in the use of faecal sludge (FS) for crop production in Tamale and Bolgatanga municipalities in the guinea savanna agroecological zone of Ghana. The aim was to determine the driving factors, constraints and potentials for this practice. Field survey and focus group discussions were carried out among 90 farmers who use FS, and officials of the Municipal Sanitation Unit were interviewed. Sixty-four percent of farmers interviewed used FS as a cost-effective way to improve soil fertility and increase yields of maize and sorghum. Sludge is discharged by spreading it on the soil surface, or it is stored and dried in pits during the dry season and incorporated into the soil at the onset of the rainy season. The high temperatures of the savanna climate and this long period of drying allow sludge to be handled easily. Although this treatment is perceived to reduce the number of pathogens in dried sludge, 22% of farmers complained of itching feet and foot rot after working with FS, which is done without wearing protective foot covering. This constraint is coupled with the foul smell, transport problem and public mockery associated with the use of human waste for agriculture. In spite of these problems, there is competition for FS among farmers, due to benefits derived from its use. Further investigation is required to ascertain the causes of itching feet and foot rot, and there is a need for education on proper handling and appropriate hygiene practices when working with FS. Information regarding optimal FS application rates is also required.