Analysis of Fertilizing Nutrient Contents and Efficacy of Composts Based on Cow Dung, Manure, and Poultry Manure in the Peri-urban Area of Niamey

Abstract

In Niger, soil degradation is a major problem for agricultural production. To address this issue, a number of technologies, including composting technique, are being evaluated. These techniques are being promoted and implemented on a larger scale to improve soil fertility, which is severely threatened by climate variability. This study, conducted in the peri-urban area of Niamey, aims to: (i) examine the production parameters of composts made from cow dung, manure, and poultry droppings; (ii) compare the nutrient content of these composts; and (iii) discuss the effectiveness of the resulting composts on different crop types. It consisted of producing composts in 5-compartment composters of 5 m3 each, with a system for recovering liquid manure. The composts are turned from one compartment to another every week throughout the composting process. At each turning, the composts are thoroughly mixed and moistened with water. When mature, the composts were sampled and air-dried for laboratory analysis. Thus, the physico-chemical properties of the composts produced according to the composting duration showed that all three composts produced have an alkaline pH (pH > 7). Indeed, the composts based on cow dung (C1), manure (C2), and poultry droppings (C3) have respective pH values of 8.4, 7.3, and 8. The mineral nutrient contents (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) from the analyses of the produced composts indicate that manure has more nutrients (1.23% nitrogen, 8.50% phosphorus, and 1.28% potassium) than cow dung (0.16% nitrogen, 3.75% phosphorus, and 0.20% potassium) and poultry droppings (0.80% nitrogen, 5.57% phosphorus, and 0.66% potassium). Agronomic trials will help confirm the effect of these composts on the fertilization of different crops and the properties of degraded soils.