Toilet compost and human urine used in agriculture: fertilizer value assessment and effect on cultivated soil properties

• Published in: Environmental technology Vol. 36; no. 10; pp. 1291 - 1298
• Main Authors: Sangare, D, Sou/Dakoure, M, Hijikata, N, Lahmar, R, Yacouba, H, Coulibaly, L, Funamizu, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 19.05.2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Abelmoschus; Acidification; Agriculture; best ratio; biofertilizers; Biomass; Composting; composts; environmental technology; Fertilizers; Fertilizers - analysis; human urine; Humans; nitrogen; okra; plant growth; Salinity; sanitation; Sewage; Sodium - analysis; Soil - chemistry; soil acidification; soil properties; soil salinity; toilet compost; Toilet Facilities; toxicity; Urine; British Isles; best ratio; biofertilizers; soil properties; human urine; toilet compost
• ISSN: 1479-487X; 0959-3330; 1479-487X
• DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2014.984774

Toilet compost (TC) and human urine are among natural fertilizers, which raise interest due to their double advantages to combine sanitation and nutrient recovery. However, combination of urine and TC is not so spread probably because the best ratio (urine/TC) is still an issue and urine effect on soil chemical properties remains poorly documented. This study aims to determine the best ratio of urine and TC in okra cultivation, by targeting higher fertilization effect combined with lower impact on soil chemical properties. Based on Nitrogen requirement of okra, seven treatments were compared: (T0) no fertilizer, (T1) chemical fertilizer (NPK: 14-23-14), (T2) 100% urine, (T3) 100% TC, (T4) ratio of 75% urine + 25% TC, (T5) 50% urine + 50% TC and (T6) 25% urine + 75% TC. Results indicated that T4 (75% urine + 25% TC) gave the highest plant height and yield. In contrast, T2 (100% urine) gave the lowest results among all treatments, indicating toxicity effects on plant growth and associated final yield. Such toxicity is confirmed by soil chemical properties at T2 with soil acidification and significant increase in soil salinity. In contrast, application of urine together with TC mitigates soil acidification and salinity, highlighting the efficiency of urine and TC combination on soil chemical properties. However, further investigation is necessary to refine better urine/TC ratio for okra production.