Slow Release Fertiliser Production from Poultry Manure

Abstract

Fertilisers are essential nutrient supplements, which can enhance the productivity and growth rate of plants. Application of slow release fertiliser (SRF) on plants is advantageous such that it provides uniform growth. Poultry manure mixed with rice husk from a chicken farm house was dried and milled to produce dry powder that is ready to be used as a SRF matrix. The powder was mixed with a binder (starch) and nitrogen source (urea) and then compacted using screw extruder and pan granulator. The two procedures of the fertiliser production were employed and evaluated. Based on the nutrient release profile, it was observed that pelletised SRF using extruder has longer capability in retaining the nutrient content than granule SRF. Even though the granule SRF has lower nutrient retention capability, the granule process requires less energy and processing time than the extrusion process. In order to determine the optimum choice for the SRF production method, all processing aspects should be considered including the quality of SRF matrix, and processing time, cost, and energy.