Cow Dung Treatment Research Articles

REMEDIAL MEASURES FOR IMMOBOLIZATION OF HEAVY METALS FROM CONTAMINATED SOIL

To understand the remedial measures of heavy metals from contaminated soil, three vegetable (Brassica juncea, Brassica rapa and Lepidium sativum) were grown on soil artificially contaminated with 300 mg kg-1 CuCl2, 500 mg kg-1 Pb(NO3)2, 800 mg kg-1 ZnCl2 or their mixed metal (1600 mg kg-1). This experiment showed that Cu and Pb accumulation in vegetables are higher in lime treatments than in 20% cowdung treatments. Zinc accumulation increased in B. rapa and L. sativum in both cow dung and lime treatments compared to control. Accumulation of Cu, Pb and Zn from mixed metal treatment was highest in L. sativum (at lime 9 g kg-1 for Cu and Pb, and 20% cow dung for Zn). Morphological changes such as fresh weight, dry weight, shoot length, root length, mostly increased significantly (P≤0.01) with Zn and cow dung treatment, but none with lime treatment. Fresh and dry weight increased only in L. sativum grown in 3 g kg-1 lime treatment. Immobilization of Cu, Pb and Zn in both single and mixed treatments was found to be high in cow dung amended soil. From this it can be ascertained that 20% cow dung treatment is suitable for immobilization of supplied heavy metals than lime treatments. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/eco.v19i0.9853EcoprintAn International Journal of EcologyVol. 19, 2012Page: 1-5Uploaded date: 2/14/2014

Effect of remediation on growth parameters, grain and dry matter yield of soybean (Glycine max) in crude oil polluted ultisols in Ogoni Land, South Eastern Nigeria

The effectiveness of cow dung, poultry manure, NPK (mineral fertilizers) and municipal waste compost which were the easily accessible materials in the remediation of crude oil polluted soils in Ogoni, Rivers state was assessed using soybean as a test crop. A simple factorial field experiment arranged into a randomized complete block design with six treatments was used. Poultry manure gave the highest emergence of 79 and 74.62% at both seasons followed by NPK, cow dung, municipal waste compost and control. The highest plant height of 11.48 and 19.18 cm at four and six weeks after planting (WAP); and 12.70 and 24.70 cm at 4/6 WAP for both seasons were obtained in plots treated with poultry manure. NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer gave the largest leaf area (12.70 and 12.95 cm2) and (14.43 and 14.56 cm2) at 4 and 6 WAP for both seasons, respectively followed by poultry manure (11.80 and 11.93 cm2) and (13.72 and 12.8 cm2. Poultry manure gave the highest grain yield per hectare of 2,800 and 3,875 kg ha-1) for both seasons. NPK had the highest dry matter yield at both seasons (8,500 and 8,000 kg ha-1), followed by poultry manure (7,000 and 7,500 kg ha-1). Since there were no significant differences in leaf area between NPK, poultry manure and cow dung treatments, the results indicate that poultry manure is the best remediation material for crude oil polluted soils in which soybean is planted. Key words : Crude oil, polluted soils, soy bean, remediation material, poultry manure, NPK fertilizers, grain yield, plant height, leaf area, Niger delta.

Reduced cell wall degradation plays a role in cow dung-mediated management of wilt complex disease of chickpea

Chickpea, a major pulse crop, is highly prone to a devastating wilt disease commonly caused by the complex interaction of soilborne fungal pathogens of the genus Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Sclerotinia. These pathogens collectively cause both superficial and sunken lesions resulting in symptoms like wilting and yellowing causing plant losses at seedling stage and become a major limiting factor for its growth and yield. Earlier studies demonstrated the role of composted mixture in protection against soilborne pathogens. However, there is paucity of substantial evidence for the mechanism of protection. The present study predicts the probable mechanism of cow dung-mediated reduction of wilt in Cicer arietinum. Cow dung-coated seeds sown in presence of mixture of fungi (FCD) could reduce the activities of cell wall-degrading enzymes produced by plant roots in response to pathogens, which were otherwise higher in mixture of wilt complex fungi/pathogens (FUN) treatment. Reduction in transcript accumulation of related genes followed by histological studies showed intercellular fungal colonization in FUN treatment, whereas it was undetected in FCD. Results indicate that cow dung treatment of chickpea seeds reduces activities of the cell wall-degrading enzymes in a transcriptionally regulated manner, which in turn function as biocontrol measure for disease.

Evaluation of the Effects of Cow Dung and NPK Fertilizer on Maize Plant (<i>Zea mays</i>) Grown on a Copper-Contaminated Soil

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of cow dung and NPK fertilizer on copper toxicity to maize grown in a copper-contaminated soil. NPK fertilizer treatments had the highest shoot phyto-toxicity of B - 100%, C - 94.3% and D - 83.6%/.A similar result was observed for root phyto-toxicity. On the other hand, cow dung treatments significantly reduced (P ≤ 1%) the effect of copper toxicity on the maize plant as evidenced by the negative values of shoot phyto-toxicity (E,- 11.0%, F,- 6.0%). Maize plants also showed significant reduction of growth at all NPK fertilizer treatments, relative to the cow dung treatments as measured by shoot and root dry weights. However, the various fertilizer treatments did not have any significant effect on the uptake to copper by the maize plants.Keywords: Cow dung, NPK, maize, copper.

Integrated Nutrient Management for Potatomungbean- T.Aman Rice Cropping Pattern Under Level Barind Agroecological Zone

A field experiment was conducted at the Multiplication Testing Site (MLT), Joypurhat Sadar upazila with Potato- Mugnbean –T. Aman rice cropping pattern during November/2007 to November/2008 to verify different nutrient management approaches and to determine the economic dose of fertilizer for the said cropping pattern. The experiment was designed with five treatments for whole of the cropping pattern in a randomized complete block design with six replications. The treatments were, soil test based fertilizer dose for moderate yield goal, soil test based fertilizer dose for high yield goal, integrated plant nutrient management, farmers’ practice, and control. Cowdung was applied at the first crop potato only in the cropping sequence. The varieties for potato, mungbean and T. Aman rice were Diamant, BARI Mung-6, and BR11, respectively. The results demonstrated that the tuber yield of potato, seed yield of mungbean, and grain yield of T. Aman rice were significantly influenced by the different treatments. The highest tuber yield (25.01 t/ha) was obtained from integrated plant nutrient management treatment. In mungbean, the highest seed yield (1384 kg/ha) was also recorded from NPKS for high yield goal with residual cowdung treatment. The results of NPKS application for high yield goal with residual cowdung had a positive effect on seed yield of mungbean. Grain and straw yields of T. Aaman rice were also significantly influenced by different treatments. The highest grain yield (5.68 t/ha) and straw yield (5.82 t/ha) were also observed in NPKS for high yield goal with residual cowdung treatment. The results also indicated that the residual cowdung had a positive effect on grain and straw yields of T. Aman rice. Cost and return analysis of different nutrient management packages for the whole cropping pattern showed that the highest marginal benefit cost ratio (8.64), gross return (Tk. 3,79,960/ha) and gross margin (Tk. 3,43,360/ha) were obtained from integrated plant nutrient management treatment and the lowest from soil test based fertilizers for moderate yield goal treatment. So, considering crop productivity, economic return, and soil fertility, integrated plant nutrient management for high yield goal with 5 t/ha cowdung could be recommended for the Potato-Mungbean-T Aman rice cropping pattern at Joypurhat and similar soils of Level Barind agroecological zone for sustainable higher yield DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v36i4.11761 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 36(4): 711-722, December 2011

Effect of Remediation on Growth Parameters, Grain and Dry Matter Yield of Soybean (Glycine max) in Crude Oil Polluted Soils in Ogoni Land, South Eastern Nigeria

The effectiveness of organic and inorganic fertilizers (cow dung, poultry manure, NPK and municipal waste compost) in the remediation of crude oil polluted soil in Ogoni, Rivers state was assessed using soybean as a test crop. A simple factorial field experiment arranged into a randomized complete block design with four replicates and twenty-four experimental plot with six treatments was used. Plot treated with poultry manure recorded the highest value of emergence (79 and 74.62%) at both seasons followed by NPK (73 and 68.32%), Cow dung (69.37 and 67.92%), municipal waste compost (66.25 and 65.3%), respectively. The least emergence (56.50 and 60%) was observed in the control for both seasons. Soybean plants height were highest in plot treated with poultry manure 4 and 6 WAP (11.48 and 12.70 cm) and (24.70 and 19.18 cm) for both seasons. There was decreased in the following order NPK (10.98 and 11.58 cm) and (23.28 and 17.05 cm), cow dung (10.18 and 11.96 cm) and (20.88 and 17.10 cm), municipal waste compost (10.03 and 11.08 cm) and (18.58 and 16.88 cm), No pollution plot (9.80 and 10.65 cm) and (16.43 and 16.70 cm) and then the control (polluted with no amendment) (8.65 and 9.33 cm) and (14.85 and 14.50 cm). NPK had the largest leaf area (12.95 and 12.70 cm2) and (14.43 and 14.56 cm2) 4 and 6WAP for both seasons, followed by poultry manure (11.80 and 11.93 cm2) and (13.72 and 12.8 cm2), municipal waste compost (12.29 and 11.53 cm2) and (12.93 and 12.49 cm2), cow dung (11.45 and 11.13 cm2) and (13.06 and 12.51 cm2), respectively. Poultry manure gave the highest grain yield per hectare (2,800 and 3,875 kg ha-1) for both seasons followed by NPK (2,220 and 2,687 kg ha-1), municipal waste compost (2,000 and 2,190 kg ha-1) and no pollution (1,575 and 1,780 kg ha-1) for both season. NPK had the highest dry matter yield at both season (8,500 and 8,000 kg ha-1), respectively. This was followed by poultry manure (7,000 and 7,500 kg ha-1), cow dung (6,000 and 7,000 kg ha-1), municipal waste compost (5,500 and 4,500 kg ha-1) and no pollution (3,000 and 2,500 kg ha-1), respectively. The least dry matter yield was observed in the control (2,500 and 2,000 kg ha-1) for both seasons. There was improvement in the dry matter yield value of poultry manure (7,500 kg ha-1) and cow dung (7,000 kg ha-1) at late planting when compared to that of early planting. Since, there were no significant differences in leaf area between NPK, poultry manure and cow dung treatments, the results indicate poultry manure as a remediation material in crude oil polluted soils planted to soybean.

Fish Production, Water Quality and Bacteriological Parameters of Koi Carp Ponds Under Live-food and Manure Based Management Regimes

To test the effectiveness of introducing live zooplankton against direct manuring in ornamental fish ponds upon their survival and production, larvae of koi carp, Cyprinus carpio L., were cultured for 11 weeks in earthen ponds maintained according to four management regimes: (1) live zooplankton fed to carp larvae (LF); (2) direct fertilization with poultry manure (PM); (3) direct fertilization with cowdung (CD); and (4) a control treatment (C). There were three replicates for each treatment. The growth of heterotrophic bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms like Aeromonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were also examined in response to pond management. Values of dissolved oxygen were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the water of LF ponds, compared to other treatments, while the PM and CD treatments recorded were significantly higher (P<0.05) values of PO4 – P, NH4 – N, NO3 – N, NO2 – N, specific conductivity, alkalinity, and BOD, compared to the LF and C treatments. The percentages of organic carbon and total nitrogen in the bottom sediments were higher in the PM and CD treatments compared to LF (P<0.05). Average counts of heterotrophic bacteria in the water of PM and CD ponds were significantly higher than other treatments (P<0.05). The development of Aeromonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the PM and CD treatments. Weight gain of koi carp stocked in LF was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of fish in the other treatments. There was a significant difference in the survival rate of koi carp among the treatments ranging from 67.21% in C to 90.11% in LF. The results suggest that raising koi carp larvae in ponds and feeding them exogenously with zooplankton would support high rates of survival and production through maintenance of better water quality and greater abundance of zooplankton in the system. Significantly lower abundance of Aeromonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. in the LF treatment considerably lowered any possibility of occurrence of bacterial disease.

Soil faunal activity of an oil-polluted tropical alfisol amended with organic wastes as determined by micromorphological observations

This study evaluates the effect of used-lubricating oil (spent oil) and organic nutrient supplements as derived from animal droppings on faunal activity as expressed in the incidence of faunal excrement and related micromorphological features. This approach allows the effects of the treatments to be evaluated even if the organisms are no longer present. The main-plot treatments included control (C), cow dung (CD), poultry droppings or manure (PM) and pig droppings or waste (PW) each at 10 Mg ha −1 each. The sub-plot treatments were control (no applied contaminant), 0.5%, 2.5% and 5% spent oil (SP) applied at 10, 50 and 100 Mg ha −1 (w/w), respectively. Residual oil blobs were clear in soil thin sections and the results from point counting demonstrated a significant reduction in oil content following the addition of organic wastes to the polluted soils. Spheroids of organic material interpreted as excrement from enchytraeids dominated thin sections from the control and treated plots. Other observed excrement types were undifferentiated (fused) excrements formed from coalesced or “aged” excrements. The occurrence of the total excrements showed no faunal activity in plots polluted with 0.5%, 2.5% and 5% SP, indicating elimination of soil fauna by oil pollution. Results from point counting of excremental features indicated significant faunal activity with CD, PM and PW treatments, and in oil-polluted plots supplemented with organic wastes. The treatments with PM and PW were better than CD in stimulating oil degradation. Treatments also showed a reduction in total porosity with an increase in oil concentrations whereas no significant improvement was observed in oil-polluted soils amended with organic wastes. However, addition of the organic wastes to oil-polluted soils showed evidence of increased decomposition in the order PM > PW > CD. In conclusion, the substantial reduction in soil faunal activity as a result of oil treatment confirmed the deleterious effect of petroleum products on living organisms, but the addition of PM and PW were effective in ameliorating this negative impact.

MICROBIAL RESPIRATION, MAIZE (&lt;i&gt;Zea mays&lt;/i&gt; L.) GROWTH AND NITROGEN UPTAKE AS AFFECTED BY COWDUNG AND AMMONIUM SULFATE APPLICATIONS

Top soil sample (0-15 cm) of Iwo series (Oxic Tropudalf) was amended with three rates each of cowdung (0, 5 and 10 g kg-1) and N (0, 25 and 50 mg kg-1)in a 3x3 factorial combination. These rates were equivalent to 0, 12, and 24 t ha-1 and 0, 60, and 120 kg N ha-1, respectively. In the laboratory, cumulative amounts of CO2 evolved up to the end of 8 and 16 weeks of incubation at 30oC were determined using the static CO2 absorption method. Two consecutive 8-week croppings of maize (Zea mays L.) were made in the greenhouse in plastic pots containing 4 kg of soil. At the end of each cropping, pH, plant heights, dry matter yield, tissue N and N uptake were determined. Carbon dioxide evolved and soil pH were significantly increased over the control with cowdung in the presence or absence of (NH4)2SO4 notwithstanding. Microbial activity in the cowdung, N and manure-N treatments were stimulated over the control by factors of 2.45-3.82, 1.50-2.82 and 2.64-4.67 respectively. Except at the end of the 2nd cropping for dry matter yield, plant height and dry matter yields were not significantly different at the end of both croppings. Tissue N content and N uptake increased with the rate of cowdung applied alone but decreased as N rate increased. Microbial respiration was significantly correlated (r=0.70*) with tissue N content and pH (r=0.88**) at the end of the 1st and 2nd croppings respectively. The results indicate that applied N was immobilized in the presence of cowdung throughout the two cropping periods. There was no advantage to plant dry matter accumulation of co-applying cowdung and (NH4)2SO4 at rates higher than 5 g kg-1 and 25 mg N kg-1respectively. It is suggested that cowdung and (NH4)2SO4 should be applied to the plant banded separately and not mixed together. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol.4 2003: 16-24

Increasing bioavailability of phosphorus from fly ash through vermicomposting.

Due to the environmental problems created by large-scale fly ash generation throughout the world, efforts are being made to recycle these materials. An important component of the recycling effort is using fly ash to improve low-fertility soils. Because availability of many nutrients is very low in fly ash, available ranges of such nutrients must be improved to increase the effectiveness of fly ash as a soil amendment. In the present study, we assessed the possibility of increasing P bioavailability in fly ash through vermicomposting in a yard experiment. Fly ash was mixed with organic matter in the form of cow (Bos taurus) dung at 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1 ratios and incubated with and without epigeic earthworm (Eisenia fetida) for 50 d. The concentration of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) was found to increase many fold in the earthworm-treated series of fly ash and organic matter combinations compared with the series without earthworm. This helped to transform considerable amounts of insoluble P from fly ash into more soluble forms and thus resulted in increased bioavailability of the nutrients in the vermicomposted series. Among different combinations of fly ash and organic matter, P availability in fly ash due to vermicomposting was significantly higher in the 1:1 fly ash to cow dung treatment compared with the other treatments.

Studies on the effects of poultry manure, digested sewage sludge cake and cow-dung on the growth rate of Catla catla (Hamilton) and Cyprinus carpio var. communis (Linneaus)

The effects of poultry manure, digested sewage sludge cake and cow-dung on plankton production and fish growth were evaluated. Both plankton production and fish growth ( Catla catla and Cyprinus carpio var. Communis) were found to be highest in the poultry manure treatment, followed by the sludge cake and cow-dung treatments. Compared with the cow-dung treatment, total fish production was 50·6% more in the poultry manure and 19·0% more in the sludge-cake treatment. In terms of dry weight of the manures, the fertiliser (manure) coefficients (kilogramme of fertiliser per kilogramme of fish production) were 5·2, 6·6 and 7·8, respectively for poultry manure, sludge cake and cow-dung.

A study on the relative efficiency of organic manures and the effect of salinity on its mineralisation in brackishwater fish farm soil

The influence of salinity on the mineralisation of organic nitrogen in the form of mustard oil cake, poultry manure and cow-dung in brackishwater pond soils was studied under laboratory conditions. The concentration of mineralised nitrogen for mustard oil cake and poultry manure showed a marked increase during 7 to 30 days after which it decreased gradually and in 90 days assumed practically the same value as that of the control over the salinity range of 0–40‰. The mineralised nitrogen of cow-dung treatment was lower than that of the control,till 30 days,after which it increased gradually. The loss of nitrogen is minimum in the higher salinity range for all three types of manure used. Mustard oil cake is a better manure for brackishwater soil than poultry droppings and cow-dung.