Human urine as fertiliser
From Akvopedia
When asked what she is growing with the urine and wash water, Nandawathi laughs and says, "Chillies, but we think we will only use them after drying, not fresh!" Nandawathi, Matale Town, Sri Lanka.
Urine is a high quality, low cost alternative to the application of nitrogen-rich mineral fertiliser in plant production. The application of urine should be done as close to the ground as possible, incorporating it into the soil, preventing nitrogen loss. Urine is therefore preferably mixed with soil, or watered into it. The amount applied and the frequency of application depends on the nitrogen need of the plant and its root size. In general, recommendations available for the use of nitrogen fertilisers give a good starting point for how to use urine. The risk of disease transmission through handling and using human urine are related mainly to faecal cross-contamination. For large-scale systems, storage times ranging from 1-6 months is recommended at ambient temperatures, depending on whether crop to be fertilised are eaten raw or cooked. Urine should preferably not be diluted before application to discourage microorganism growth, to improve the die-off rate of pathogens and to discourage mosquitoes from breeding. At household level, urine can be used without storage, for all type of crops that are for the household's own consumption, so long as the crops are not harvested within a month of fertilisation. One reason for more relaxed guidelines for single households is that person-to-person transmission of pathogens outweighs the risk from fertilisation with urine.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Urine replaces mineral fertilisers. Nutrients are directly available to plants. | Large volume compared to artificial fertiliser. Health precautions needed when applying urine! |
Applying conditions
- Urine should not be applied in areas with high salinity.
- Recommendations for storage time and application techniques must be fully understood and followed.
|
External links
- General information about Human urine as fertiliser www.smi.ki.se
- General information www.who.int
- General information www.ecosanres.org
