At present, the use of chemical fertilizers has been on a steady rise year after year, while many farmers have neglected the proper accumulation and application of farmyard manure. This has led to significant nutrient losses in organic fertilizers, which are essential for maintaining soil fertility and long-term agricultural sustainability. For example, if animal urine is not collected promptly, nitrogen loss can reach as high as 96% within just two weeks. Therefore, it is crucial for farmers to pay close attention to preventing nutrient loss from farmyard fertilizers.
First, to reduce nutrient loss in livestock manure, farmers should improve their storage systems. The manure pits or containers should be well-constructed to prevent water leakage and ensure easy cleaning. The ground around the pit should be properly leveled, and the ratio of excrement to soil should be maintained at about 1:3 to 1:4. Regular turning of the manure—daily or every other day—is important to promote decomposition and retain nutrients. If excrement is temporarily stored, it should be immediately piled up and sealed with mud or a cover to protect its fertilizing value.
Second, reducing nutrient loss in human waste is equally important. Human urine is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, if left untreated, it can lose up to 90% of its nitrogen after being stored for 60 days. To minimize this loss, urine should be collected in covered tanks or containers and stored for only 7 to 10 days. This shortens the exposure time and helps preserve its nutritional content.
To reduce nutrient loss from human feces, several methods can be applied. First, toilets and septic tanks should be renovated to prevent seepage, leaks, and rainwater contamination. They should also be properly sealed. Second, the application method should be changed from dry to diluted. After dilution, the mixture should be applied to the soil, allowing it to decompose for about 6 to 7 days in summer and 15 to 20 days in other seasons. Third, the separation of human waste should be strongly encouraged to avoid mixing it with other organic materials that may lead to nutrient degradation.
Third, the loss of nutrients in plant ash must also be addressed. Plant ash contains a high concentration of potassium carbonate and is the only alkaline potassium fertilizer found in organic manures. Since both human waste and livestock manure are acidic, mixing them with plant ash can cause nutrient imbalances and losses. According to measurements, when plant ash is mixed with human feces and urine in a 1:1.5 ratio and stored for 10 days, nitrogen loss reaches about 27.4%, and the loss during storage can be as high as 85.9%. Therefore, it is important to keep plant ash separate and use it alone. Farmers should avoid mixing it with other organic fertilizers and ensure that tree ash is protected from rain to prevent nutrient leaching.
By adopting these practices, farmers can significantly reduce nutrient losses and make better use of natural fertilizers, leading to more sustainable and productive farming systems.
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