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Production of Bioorganic Liquid Fertilizer from Cow Manure and Banana Peels

Article · August 2020

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 Advanced Research Journal of Biotechnology (ARJB) ISSN 3456-097x, Vol. 4(5), pp. 098-102, August, 2020.
Available online at www.advancedscholarsjournals.org © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Production of Bioorganic Liquid Fertilizer from Cow

Manure and Banana Peels
Haji K, Zekeria Y* and Misrak K
School of Biological and Biotechnological Sciences, Haramaya University
Accepted 16 June, 2020.

Bioorganic liquid fertilizer not only increases bioorganic fertility of crops, but also accelerates their
maturation and nutrient quality. Thus, the present study was aimed to produce bioorganic liquid fertilizer
from Cow manure and banana through aerobic fermentation in open containers. The bioorganic liquid
fertilizer solution was produced from mixture of cow manure and banana peels. Clumps of cow manure and
chopped banana peels (3kgs each) were co-fermented in open container covered with cotton cloth (so as to
prevent entry of insects) for 50 days at room temperature. The experiment was laid in two replications. It
was found that 4 liters of bioorganic liquid fertilizer solution were produced from 6kgs of co-fermented
substrates. Macronutrient composition of bioorganic fertilizer and compost tea solutions were shown that
phosphorus (P), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and also sodium (Na) were found to be significant between
bioorganic liquid fertilizer and compost tea (used as a control) solutions. The quality of biorganic liquid
fertilizer solution produced in the present study was indicated that both compost tea and bioorganic liquid
fertilizer solutions fulfill the basic requirements of plant macronutrients with respect to electrical
conductivity and C:N ratio. The performance of lettuce irrigated with bioorganic fertilizer solution was
performing better than compost tea solution and soil grown plant. All the three parameters including
above ground biomass per plant (ABM), number of leaves per plant (NLP) and Head weight per plant (HWP)
were found to be significant between bioorganic liquid fertilizer and compost tea solutions. It can be
concluded from the present study that bioogranic liquid fertilizer can be produced from locally available
substrates like Cow manure and banana peels. Small holder farmers can get economic relief, by using this
technology

Keywords: Compost tea, Electrical conductivity, Lettuce, Organic Fertilizers, Plant macronutrients.

INTRODUCTION

Organic fertilizers refer to the nutrients contained in the do usually help improve the soil structure while adding
product that are derived solely from the remains or nutrients while chemical fertilizers do not affect soil
by-products of a once-living organism. Urea is a synthetic structure. General-purpose synthetic fertilizers have the
organic fertilizer, an organic substance manufactured from advantage of being readily available to the gardener and
inorganic materials. Cottonseed meal, blood meal, bone relatively inexpensive (Chandra, 2005).
meal, hoof and horn meal, and all manures are examples Fertilizers come in many shapes and sizes. Different
of organic fertilizers (Cogger, 2013). Synthetic fertilizers formulations are made to facilitate types of situations in
act more quickly than organic types, though some organic which fertilizer is needed. Packaging for all formulations
materials release their nutrients quite rapidly. It isn’t must show the amount of nutrients contained, or the
possible, therefore, to make a blanket statement about the analysis, and sometimes it tells how quickly a nutrient is
long-term effects of fertilizers, except available. Some of the formulations available are: granular
that organic materials such as manures and plant waste solids, water-soluble powders, slow-release spikes,
liquids, and tablets. In most fertilizers, a “filler” is added to
bulk up the fertilizer. This is done to lower the analysis,
allowing a more even spreading pattern as compared to
trying to spread a small amount of a high analysis over an
*Corresponding Author’s Email:[email protected] area. A filler is generally an inert material
Zekeria Y et al 099

such as sand, lime, ground corn cobs, etc (Cogger, 2013). of macronutrients in bioorganic fertilizer was determined
Some fillers are used to enhance the fertilizer’s handling as per procedures below.
qualities. Not all types of formulations are commonly used
by for vegetable gardens. The most common and readily Determination of major plant macronutrient minerals
available formulations are: dry/granulated Fertilizers. This
is the most common type of fertilizer applied to the garden. Nitrogen contents of fertilizer solution and compost tea
The manufacturer treats the material so that it has large (control solution) were determined by the Kjeldahl
more evenly sized grains. Granules spread more evenly method consists of three steps: digestion, distillation, &
and easily. Sometimes granules are coated to prevent titration. The Phosphorus Content was determined by acid
moisture absorption (Miles et al., 2013). In light of such (HNO3) oxidation in the presence of vanadium ammonium
justifications the present study has planned to produce molybdate. Sodium and potassium were determined by
bioorganic fertilizer through aerobic method using cow atomic absorption method.
manure and banana peels.
Determination of Quality of Bioorganic Fertilizer
Solution
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PH measurement
The experiment was conducted in Central laboratory of
Haramaya University. Six kilogram cow manure was PH measurement was based on procedure used by Patel
collected from Haramaya university Dairy Farm, and 6kg and Lakdawala (2014) as follow:
banana peels was obtained from collection at home. Calibration Standard Preparation: two buffers was
Compost tea that used as a control was obtained from selected that bracket the expected sample pH. The first
Bate district, Haramaya. Fermentation solution was near the electrode isopotential point (pH 7) and the
prepared by mixing 500g sorghum flour to one liter of second buffer near the expected sample pH. A pH 7.00
groundwater following the procedure used by Unnisa buffer pouch was opened or a graduated cylinder was to
(2015). transfer 30 mL of pH 7.00 buffer into a 50 mL beaker.

Experimental Procedure and Data Collection Sample Preparation:

Aerobic Digestion: the fermentation process was carried 40 mL of the sample liquid bioorganic fertilizer was
out under aerobic condition in two replications based on measured by using a graduated cylinder into a 50 mL
the method suggested by PCT (2013) as follow: clamps beaker. The beaker was covered with a watch glass. The
of cow manure and chopped banana peels were formed electrode was placed in a prepared sample with the
in the open container covered with cotton cloth (the electrode tip fully immersed in the solution. The measure
proportion of the Cow manure: peels = 1:1). The starting key was pressed on the meter. The pH icon flashed as the
clamp components were successively arranged in layers measurement was being made. Determination of the
with a height of 0.4 m each. The formed clamps were quality of bioorganic fertilizer solution based on PH range
sprayed with diluted activated microbiological formulations was based on the standard Table 1.
including yeast and lactic bacteria. The microbial
formulations were prepared from yeast powder and Electrical Conductivity (EC) Measure
coagulated milk (as a source of lactic acid bacteria) with
non-chlorinated water in the proportion of 1:50. Mixing and A 2:1 by volume method was used to measure EC based
spraying water on the clamp was done periodically. on modified procedure used by Rhoades et al., (1999).
The fermentation process was done in open Whereby a volume of mix was measured and twice as
container at ambient temperature for aerobic much water was added.
microbiological fermentation, until cycle of a fertilizer The electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the
production completed (being without any flavor). The total soluble salts, or the soluble nutrients (or ions)
output components of the bioorganic fertilizer was left in present in a growing media. The determination of
the open container to complete finishing of the electrical conductivity (EC) is made with a conductivity cell
technological process of the fertilizer production. The by measuring the electrical resistance of a 1:2 solute:
degree of readiness of the bioorganic fertilizer was water suspension. The determination of EC generally
determined according to physico-mechanical and involves the physical measurement of the materials'
organoleptic properties (homogeneity, looseness, lack of electrical resistance (R), which is expressed in ohms. The
smell). When the above conditions are observed the reciprocal of resistance is conductance (C). It is
duration of a complete technology cycle was taken around expressed in reciprocal ohms, i.e., mhos. When the cell
40 to 50days. Finally quantitative analysis for composition constant is applied, the measured conductance is
converted to specific conductance (i.e., the reciprocal of
 100 Adv. Res. J. Biotechnol.

Table 1: Rating of bioorganic fertilizer solution based on pH values

Category Range of pH value Suggestion for remedy of bioorganic fertilizer solution
Acidic <6.5 Requires liming for reclamation
Normal 6.5-7.8 Optimum for most crops
Alkaline 7.8-8.5 Requires application of organic manures
Alkali >8.5 Requires gypsum for amelioration
Source: Patel and Lakdawala (2014).

Table 2: Rating of bioorganic fertilizer solution based on electrical conductivity (EC)

Range of EC Rate of bioorganic fertilizer solution
< 0.8 ds/m Normal
0.8-1.6 ds/m Critical for salt sensitive crops
1.6-2.5ds/m Critical to salt tolerant crops
2.5 ds/m Injurious or toxicity to most crops
Source: Patel and Lakdawala (2014).

the specific resistance) at the temperature of water was added to each pot during planting. Then both
measurement. Electrical conductivity meter & cell experimental and control groups were irrigated with water
measures fraction of the specific resistance; this fraction as it was needed so as to prevent moisture stress.
is the cell constant (K = R/Rs). Thereafter 3 to 4 leaf stage half liter of fertilizer solution
Often, and herein, specific conductance is referred to as was added to experimental group. That is totally one liter
electrical conductivity, EC: of fertilizer solution was used.
EC = 1 / Rs = K / R. Quantitative data were analyzed by using
quantitative method such as frequency, percentage and
Procedure for conductivity: mean and standard deviation using Microsoft office excel
and SAS software (Version 9.2).
0.746 g KCl was dissolved (previously dried at 105 °C for
2 hours) and the volume was made to 1 L with CO 2 free
deionised water. This solution has an electrical RESULT AND DISCUSSION
conductivity of 1.413 dS/m at 25 °C. Then 1:2 biorganic
fertilizer solution : water suspension was prepared by Production of Bioorganic liquid fertilizer through
weighing 10 g air-dry bioorganic fertilizer solution (<2 mm) aerobic fermentation in Open container
into a bottle. 50 mL deionised water will be added, and
mechanically shaken at 15 rpm for 1 hour to dissolve The amount of fertilizer to apply to a garden depends on
soluble salts. the natural fertility of the soil, the amount of organic matter
Determination of the quality of bioorganic fertilizer present, the type of fertilizer used, and the crop being
solution based on EC range was as in Table 2. Electrical grown. The best way to determine fertilizer needs is to
conductivity can be converted to estimate total dissolved have the soil tested.
solids by using the following equation (Detay, 1997): Accordingly, in the present study bioorganic liquid
TDS(ppm) = 0.64×EC(μS/cm) = 6.4×ECmS/cm = fertilizer solution was produced from mixture of cow
640×EC(dS/m). manure and banana peels. Clumps of cow manure and
chopped banana peels (3kgs each) were co-fermented in
Pot experiment for testing bioorganic fertilizer open container covered with cotton cloth (so as to prevent
solution entry of insects) for 50 days at room temperature.
The experiment was laid in two replications. It
The fertilizer solution was tested by growing lettuce in pot. was found that 4 liters of bioorganic liquid fertilizer
The experimental design was completed randomized solution were produced from 6kgs of co-fermented
design (CRD) in two replications. substrates.
Soil sample was taken randomly from Rare field and Further dilution can be conducted depending on the
placed in pots. Four lettuce seeds were planted in each economy of the user and performance evaluation. Similar
pot. In the experimental pots half liter of bioorganic study was reported by PCT (2013) who recommended
fertilizer was added during planting. However, in the aerobic fermentation of organic wastes as an efficient
control group no nutrient was applied only 500ml of process of bioorganic solution fertilizer production.
Zekeria Y et al 101

Table 3: Macronutrient composition of bioorganic fertilizer solution and compost tea

Treatment P K Ca Mg Na
Compost tea 0.98±0.06b 2.60±0.06a 1.14±0.17a 1.22±0.02b 1.29±0.05b
Bioorganic 3.14±0.06a 3.23±0.23a 3.31±0.41b 2.54±0.35a 2.47±0.17a

Means followed by same letter within a column were not significantly different at 0.05. Probability level based
on DMRT (Duncan's Multiple Range Test).

Table 4: Quality of liquid fertilizer solution

Treatment PH EC C N CN
Compost 6.35±0.35b 0.57±0.02b 23.49±0.91b 3.57±0.45a 6.67±1.09a
Bioorganic 6.52±0.03b 0.96±0.03a 40.73±0.60a 2.61±0.36a 15.77±1.95a

Means followed by same letter within a column were not significantly different at 0.05. Probability level based
on DMRT (Duncan's Multiple Range Test). PH: power of hydrogen; EC: electrical conductivity; C:N: carbon
to nitrogen ratio.

Determination of Plant Macronutrient Composition of both compost tea and bioorganic liquid fertilizer solutions
biorganic Liquid fertilizer solution fulfill the basic requirements of plant macronutrients with
respect to electrical conductivity and C:N ratio. The
Macronutrient composition of bioorganic fertilizer and carbon content of fertilizer solution in the present study,
compost tea solutions was shown in Table 3. It was was found to be 40.73% (Table 6). Monisha and
found that phosphorus (P), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium Rameshaiah (2016) the determination of natural carbon in
(Mg) and also sodium (Na) were found to be significant composts serves in an indirect way as measure of
between bioorganic liquid fertilizer and compost tea (used accessible nitrogen. In most of the fertilizer cases the
as a control) solutions. However, there were no minimum carbon content or organic matter was found to
significance differences with respect potassium (K). It be approximately 6-7%.
was also indicated that percentage macronutrient In this study, the PH needs adjustment to the
compositions of bioorganic fertilizer solution was found to neutral range between 6.0 to 8.0 which is optimum for
be greater than those of compost tea solution in all most crop plants. However, further evaluation of fertilizer
studied macronutrients. This finding was in accordance should have to be done by conducting field experiments
with Unnisa (2015) who produced liquid fertilizer from for various crop plants. Since fertilizer requirement
vegetable waste. depends on nature of the soil, crop plant types and other
environmental factors.
Determination of the quality of Bioorganic liquid
fertilizer Testing the bioorganic liquid fertilizer through pot
experiment
The quality of biorganic liquid fertilizer solution produced
in the present study was measured with respect to PH, The liquid fertilizer produced was evaluated by growing
EC and C:N ratio as in Table 4. It was indicated that lettuce in pot experiment in two replications.

Table 5: Growth of lettuce in pot

Treatment ABM NLP HWP
Soil 22.45±3.08c 8.50±0.71ab 15.90±0.58c
Compost tea 37.77±3.59b 6.50±0.71b 24.90±0.85b
Bioorganic 60.50±2.69a 9.50±0.71a 37.90±2.55a

Means followed by same letter within a column were not significantly different at 0.05. Probability level based on DMRT
(Duncan's Multiple Range Test). BMW: biomass weight per plant (gm); NLP: number of leaves per plant; HWP: head
weight per plant.
 102 Adv. Res. J. Biotechnol.

It was indicated in Table 5 that the performance of

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