PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC FERT-ILIZER FROM ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE ENRICHED WITH RABBIT URINE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Rising agricultural demands strain soil fertility, with conventional fertilizer use causing long-term environmental issues like soil degradation and water eutrophication. This highlights the need for sustainable alternatives. This study evaluated the impact of rabbit urine as a nutrient enhancer in organic fertilizer and its effect on maize (Zea mays) growth. Organic fertilizer samples were prepared, (Sample A) with rabbit urine and (Sample B) without rabbit urine, and their nutrient compositions were analysed. Standard methods of were used to analyse the formulated organic fertilizer and the results revealed that Sample A exhibited significantly higher concentrations of nitrogen (16,500 mg/kg), phosphorus (7,200 mg/kg), and potassium (9,500 mg/kg) compared to Sample B (10,500 mg/kg, 4,800 mg/kg, and 9,000 mg/kg respectively). The pH of Sample A was also more alkaline (7.8), suggesting improved nutrient mineralization and microbial activity. These enhancements are attributed to the high urea and ammonia content of rabbit urine. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different fertilizers, T1 (organic fertilizer + rabbit urine), T2 (synthetic NPK), and T3 (untreated organic fertilizer) on maize growth over four weeks. While T2 recorded the highest plant height and leaf number in the early stages, T1 achieved comparable performance by week 4 (9 leaves and 38.2 cm), outperforming T3 significantly. These findings indicate that rabbit urine-enriched organic fertilizer can serve as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, enhancing soil fertility and supporting maize vegetative growth. This eco-friendly approach promotes long-term productivity and aligns with sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers and agricultural practitioners are encouraged to adopt rabbit urine as a nutrient enhancer in organic fertilizer production. Future research should explore long-term field applications of rabbit urine-amended fertilizers across diverse soil types and crops
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