Human urine as a source of nutrients for maize and its impacts on soil quality at Arba Minch, Ethiopia

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted at Arba Minch, Ethiopia to study the effects of urine on soil properties and yield of maize in natural settings. The pot treatments consisted of 500, 800, 1,000 and 1,200 ml of neat human urine collected from a UDDT (Urine Diversion Dry Toilet) added at different portions and control. The results showed that the response of the maize for most of the variables was very well expressed or significantly different at the application rate of 500 ml of urine; however, there was no significant difference between the 500 ml and the rest of the application. A significant increase in height, diameter, and length of leaf of maize was found in the urine treated soils. An improvement in soil phosphate chemical properties was noticed with increasing addition of urine; however, there was no significant increase in the ammonium nitrogen content and pH. The salinity of treated soil significantly increased at the bottom of the pot when compared with the control. In order to limit the increase in salinity of the soil and to get optimum maize growth in natural conditions, 500 ml urine addition per maize is recommended. The findings encourage the use of urine as fertilizer and a possible sink for UDDT waste.

Keywords

• conductivity
• human urine
• semi-arid
• soil salinity
• urine diversion dry toilet