BIOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF COW DUNG AS A SOURCE OF SOIL NUTRIENT IN SELECTED SOILS OF GUSAU METROPOLIS

This study comparatively examine the length of exposure on the nutritive value of cow dung. The cow dung was subjected to three methods of handling namely un-covered pile method, covered pile method and covered pit method for ninety days. The three differently handled cow dung was also exposed to the atmosphere for a period of 7, 30, 60, and 90 days. The samples were subjected to laboratory analyses to determine the chemical properties related to P^H, organic carbon content, total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium and electrical conductivity. The results showed that nitrogen, phosphorus calcium, magnesium, potassium which are plant’s vital nutrients were significantly higher in cow dung treated with the covered and pit methods of handling. The results showed that the quality of cow dung can be improved by subjecting it to pit and covered methods of handling and nutrient losses can be significantly reduced by reducing the period of exposure to the atmosphere.

The collection was done for ten days. The freshly excreted dungs from these cattle were scooped from the floor of the cattle pen and then kept in a plastic container.

In laboratorial analysis of the composted dung samples, the amount of the important plant nutrients including K, N, P, Ca, Na, K, Ca, Mg and OC (organic carbon) were determined using standard existing procedures.

Thus, cow dung may not only act as a substitute for chemical fertilizers because it supplements organic matter, but also as a conditioner for soil.