Other manures
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
This page shows a number of other "manures" which can be use to improve soil quality and promote the healthy growth of plants
All the manures shown can be made using locally available materials in a rural developing country (or anywhere else)
[edit] Liquid animal manure
[edit] Urine as a manure
Animal urine which is collected from farming animals in zero grazing can be used as a manure. Urine is stored in a bucket or pot, and covered and left to ferment for a few weeks. It can then be diluted and added to close to plants to promote healthy growth
| urine | water | |
|---|---|---|
| Bananas | 1 | 1 |
| Young vegetables | 1 | 3 |
| Mature vegetables | 1 | 2 |
[edit] Manure/water mix
Placing animal manure in a large sack and then suspending it in water, creates a rich manure that can be added to plants and improve growth. See diagram below
If you use chicken manure, then in 7-14 days the nutrients from the manure have passed through into the liquid and it is ready to be used
[edit] Plant tea
Plant tea is made from large, soft and sappy plants which quickly break down (e.g Tithonia, lantana camara, acasia, stinging nettle)
- A small or medium size container is packed 2/3 full with the leaves of the plants above (avoid stalks)
- A large amount of wood ash is added to aid breakdown of the leaves
- The pot is filled up with water. It is then covered
Every three days the pot needs to be opened
- The mixture needs to be stirred with a stick
- If there is a strong smell, then more wood ash is added
- The plant tea is ready in 7-14 days when it can be used with plants or poured onto compost to speed up breakdown
[edit] Green manure
Plants with heavy vegetative matter can be grown specifically to be used as a manure. If soil is very poor these plants can be grown in a field. They are then slashed and allowed to rot into the soil
Examples of possible plants: Clover, mucuna, lab-lab, sun hemp, other weeks
[edit] See also
Abstract on green manure crops in south Asia
