In those days, chemical farming was a rare concept, and farming meant organic farming. Cow dung Manure for Plants was one of the significant sources of organic manures. Many factors boosted the use of chemicals in agriculture for greater yield. The rapid increase in population resulted in intense farming, leading to the replacement of organic farming with chemical farming methods. The agricultural revolution acted as a catalyst too. Incessant chemical farming methods have triggered several health hazards, affected soil fertility, and resulted in environmental pollution. In recent days, massive health awareness has resulted in the revival of organic farming methods.
Organic fertiliser is derived from organic sources, including organic compost, cattle manures, poultry droppings, and domestic sewage (Kaoutar Aboudi & co in Sustainable Biofuels, 2021). Cow dung manure occupies a substantial place when it comes to organic farming. Being 100% natural and organic, it acts as a key in sustainable organic farming beneficial for soil and human beings.
Nutrients in Cow Dung Manure for Plants
Cow dung is an excreta of cows, basically undigested grass material, grains that pass through the animal gut. They are also known as cow pats, cow pies, or cow manure.
It is packed with major and minor nutrients required for plant growth, NPK – nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, and other trace elements. The ratio of NPK in cow dung manure is 3:2:1. Popularly known as “Big 3”, NPK is the primary nutrient that stimulate plant growth, enhances its color, increases production, and acts disease-resistant. Being a mixture of faeces and urine in the ratio of 3:1, it mainly consists of lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses. It also contains 24 minerals like nitrogen, potassium, and trace amounts of sulphur, iron, magnesium, copper, cobalt, and manganese. The type of animal, feeding, breeding practices, and waste management model plays a crucial role in the quality of cow manure, though it has high moisture and nitrogen values. (Kaoutar Aboudi & co in Sustainable Biofuels, 2021) The indigenous Indian cow contains a more elevated amount of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper than the cross-breed cow (Garg and Mudgal 2007; Randhawa and Kuller 2011).
Research on Cow Dung Manure Fertilizer
Recent research shows that cow dung mixed with biomass generated from palm oil industries improves physical and chemical properties, including the nutritional composition of compost. An investigation carried out by Mary et al. (1986) revealed that cow dung extracted is more effective than antibiotics like penicillin and streptomycin in controlling the bacteria blight of rice. [Gupta, K.K.& co, Current status of cow dung as a bioresource for sustainable development. Bioprocess. 3, 28 (2016)]. Further study by Zhang, S., Sun, L., Wang, Y. et al has revealed that cow manure effectively regulates the soil bacterial community in tea plantations. (BMC Microbiology 20, 190 (2020). The cow dung can be found useful in many ways.
Advantages of Cow Dung Manure for Plants
Cow dung manure is an excellent organic fertiliser. It is rich in organic matter that improves aeration and loosens the compacted soil. When added to the soil, it enhances the moisture content and stimulates the growth of friendly and beneficial microorganisms. The so-called ‘Friends of Farmers’ earthworm is attracted to the surface to feed the cow dung resulting in improved soil condition.
Compost cow dung is ideal to use in farming. It’s odourless, fine-textured with high porosity. Organic matter in it nurtures soil organisms and upholds an active soil life. It contains beneficial bacteria that promote soil fertility and serve as an excellent plant growth medium. The soil’s physical, chemical, and biological aspects are highly impacted by adding compost cow dung manure to the soil. Besides enzyme activity, bacterial diversity in the soil is also enriched as it helps better water infiltration and enhances the moisture-retaining capacity of the soil. Continuous use of compost cow dung manure can reduce sediment loss and arrest soil erosion.
Cow Dung Manure Benefits
It is the best alternative to chemical fertilisers. It preserves the reproductive and regenerative quality of the soil by keeping it in check; productivity is enhanced for the long term and helps steady boost the microbial population. It’s all-season manure for any plants and crops. When added to the soil, this nutrition-rich manure helps the plants develop natural resistance to diseases and has a positive effect on animals and human beings who consume it. The nutrients from cow dung are slowly infused into the soil allowing the plants to enjoy the benefits over more extended periods.
Though there is no actual shelf life, it is best when used within six months once the compost is ready. Cow dung can be used for mulching purposes to reduce evaporation and shield roots from the heat. In India, besides being used as a manure, cow dung is also used as an agricultural co-product, like bio fertiliser, biopesticide, pest repellent, etc. It produces greenhouse gas, making it eco-friendly. Further, cow dung has anti-bacterial properties and is the best disinfectant. Research at the University of Bristol found cow dung as a mood-enhancing agent.
Compost Cow Dung Manure
If used in a suitable form, cow dung is an excellent fertiliser. Compost cow dung manure is voted best manure than the fresh or dried pats. Compost cow dung can be made by dumping cow dung in a pit, allowing it to decompose aerobically under shade. It may be mixed with straw or hay for composting. It will be ready to use after a period of five or six months. Composting would eliminate harmful weeds, ammonia gas, and pathogens like Escherichia Coli, and the nutrients are made readily available for plant consumption.
Compost cow dung retains the water holding capacity, and hence no frequent watering is required for the crops. It can either be added to the topsoil or mixed with the soil.
Use of cow dung as an ingredient in various fertilisers
Cow dung Manure for Plants is also used to make many fertilisers such as Panchagavya, Jeevamirtham, Amirthakaraisal, Gana Jeevamirtham, etc. A few of them are discussed here.
Pachagavya essentially consists of five products of cow that include urine, dung, milk, curd, and butter. Apart from this, jaggery, banana, tender coconut is also added. When prepared and applied in the right proportion, it can have miraculous effects on plants. It is a liquid fertiliser that can either be used in foliage sprayers or directly on soil. The standard concentration is 300 ml for 10 liters of water, but it may vary in some cases. It is also used for seed selection and seed preservation. Once prepared, it should be used within six months. It can be used during soil preparation, pre-flowering, flowering, and pod maturing.
Preparation of Cow Dung Manure
Jeevamirtham is prepared using cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, and basin powder. It will be ready in 2 days and should be used within seven days. Jeevamirtham acts as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial spray. It can be applied to roots or on leaves in the concentration of 100 ml per liter of water. It can be sprayed over the leaves or roots twice a month.
The raw materials used to prepare Amirthakaraisal are cow dung, cow urine, and jaggery. Like any other liquid fertiliser, it can be sprayed on leaves and roots in the concentration of 30 ml per liter of water. It can be used twice a month.
As mentioned above and various others, the main ingredients of the fertilisers are cow dung and cow urine. These fertilisers help produce dense leaves and activate the photosynthesis process, increase biological efficiency, and produce metabolites. The side shoots might have maximum fruit holding capacity. Roots become thick and profuse, remaining fresh for a longer run. Deep rooting also helps in maximum nutrient intake. These liquids form a thin layer around the leaves and stems and reduce evaporation. Cow dung thus forms an inseparable part of organic farming.
Cow dung is also used as an efficient fuel. Bio-gas can be produced and used as building material [floor mopping, wall plastering, etc.]. It is one of the raw materials in papermaking. Further, it acts as an insect repellent.
Limitations or Disadvantages of Manure
However, using Cow Dung Manure for Plants has its disadvantages. Fresh cow dung has the highest nitrogen content that produces lots of heat, affecting the plants’ roots. There will be side effects if too much manure is applied; if plants get extra nitrogen, it will make more leaves than their products. It would seep through roots, and excess manure may reach groundwater.
It may also contain pathogens that are harmful to plants and weeds too. The nutrients in it may not be readily available for plant consumption. If dried in excess sunlight, dry cow dung cakes or powder doesn’t have much nutritional value. Fresh cow dung might affect the taste and smell of vegetable products. For example, fresh cow dung can’t be added directly into the soil for tubers [E.g. Carrot] as it would affect the colour, taste, and smell. Fresh cow dung may have harmful Escherichia coli (E-coli), Salmonella, etc. That may affect both plants and humans.
The deadly pathogen produced under high temperature burns crop root systems and causes secondary pollution to land, water, air, and food. Fresh cow dung takes a longer time to break down. It may contain weed seeds and diseases that are passed into the landscape. The odour it produces tends to attract flies and worms. While breaking down, it creates lots of heat that affect the tender roots. Hence aged, compost cow dung or dehydrated cow dung is the best safe and organic manure for plants.
Conclusion
The use of pesticides in farming has cost enough damage to the ecosystem and human beings. The only solution is organic farming. Farmyard manure and fertilisers made out of cow dung helps plants to grow and give us a healthy life. The sudden shift from inorganic to organic farming may result in a reduction in yield. Cow dung manure and other organic fertilisers consisting of cow dung and urine are the perfect solutions for increased output and profitable agriculture. According to the World Bank Collection Development Data, 65% will reside in rural areas in 2020. In India, the cows’ population has shown a tremendous increase of 18% over the previous census (Times of India). For a happy gardening, healthy plant, and blooming crop, cow dung manure for plants is the principal natural and renewable source.
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