A STUDY ON COW MANURE AS MAJOR INGREDIENT FOR ECOPOTS

Chapter 1

Introduction

Sustainable crop production requires judicial use of inputs such as fertilizers. There

are several types of fertilizers identified. In terms of biofertilizer, this study focuses on a

particular source of biofertilizer, which is cow manure or also referred to as cow dung. A

number of studies have been conducted to explore the effects of animal manure in relation

to biogas and other important things. In addition, the use of animal manure as primary

source for biofertilizer has been studied and explored in several developing countries.

Low soil fertility is one of the major concerns in terms of production and can be possibly

addressed directly by the creative use of biofertilizer. Animal manure, particularly cow for

this specific study, is considered to be a good source in terms of maintaining the

production capacity of soil. In addition, cow manure enhances or improves the microbial

population which balances the over-all health of the soil, causing it to sustain the life of

crops. With the existing knowledge of the effects of cow manure, it is but necessary and

timely to explore the different means and be creative to its usage. In farm areas, it is

commonly seen that cow manure is passively used as a fertilizer, although most farmers

still use chemical-based fertilizer instead of just taking advantage of the natural available

resource. With this, the need to be more creative in taking advantage of the present

resource that we have at the moment and making something that can be used not just for

farm areas and crops but also can be brought in the comforts of our own home, school

and offices is addressed in this particular study.

Background of the Study

Cow manure or cow dung is abundant due to the large numbers of cow locally

available, that includes Silang, Cavite in particular. The availability of this material catches

the attention of the researchers, making them dive and explore the possibilities of this

highly available element. Although several studies and research materials are available,

and the use of cow manure as biofertilizer is no longer in question, the application of it

despite its availability is the focus of this particular research.

The abundance of farming and planting in Silang, Cavite is quite obvious and the

accessibility of resources both chemical and biological can is almost equivalent. Although

there is knowledge on the consequences of chemical fertilizers, several individuals and

groups still opt to use the seemingly more convenient practice, purchase fertilizer and use

it despite the side effects. On the contrary, a large number of the population is still very

open to the possibility of using something more efficient, effective, less hazardous and

readily available. The increasing price of chemical fertilizers, the danger to environment

as well as the non-efficient sustainability in terms of production calls the need for

rediscovering and re-exploring other possible and better options.

Statement of the Problem

This particular research aims to answer the general inquiry on whether cow

manure is a relevant or vital ingredient in the production of ecopots. Specifically, the

researchers seek to answer the following questions:

  What is the importance or relevance of the usage of cow manure?

 How effective is cow manure in terms of usage as biofertilizer?

 What are the steps in making ecopots?

 What are the advantages of using ecopots compared to regular pots?

 What are the implications of using ecopots and how will the community of

Silang benefit from its discovery and application?

Formulation of Hypothesis

H0 (Null hypothesis): There is no relationship between the use of cow manure and

the effectiveness of eco pots as alternative and more creative way of accessing fertilizer.

H1 (Alternative hypothesis): The use of cow manure as a primary element or

ingredient in eco pots is significantly important and relevant.

Significance of the Study

For the citizens or residents of Silang, Cavite, this research provides a better

understanding on the availability of natural resources that could not only help the

environment but allow individuals to save money and produce or yield more productivity

on their plants and crops.

For the students and teachers, this research provides evidence-based output on

the effectiveness of cow manure, the importance of soil in plant growth and the value of

creativity and concern for the environment. This research will hopefully open the eyes of
students, teacher and other individuals in school to consider this project and incorporate

it for actual practice and active application.

To future researchers, this study bridges the gap of what has been started in other

places and connect it to the current need of the society. Moreover, this research opens a

new door for additional input, contributes to the existing body of knowledge and creating

an opportunity for application and continuity.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This particular study focuses on the use of cow manure as a main ingredient or

primary element in the formation of ecopots. This study is limited to the particular use of

cow manure instead of clay as pots for plants. The steps in making ecopots will be

discussed in the Methodology and the researcher will be using comparative analysis in

order to yield a concrete result for this particular study Moreover, the researchers will be

using Delphi technique to gather data among experts aside from overt-participant

observation.

Definition of Terms

Biofertilizer: Fertilizer using biodegradable and biological elements

Cow Dung: Cow manure

Ecopots: Pots made of cow manure instead of clay (operational definition).

Fertilizer: Elements used to improve the growth of plants and crops, can be biological or

chemical.
 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature and Studies

Related Literature

The use of cow manure has been observed to be quite effective and has

addressed several issues and concerns regarding chemically-inclined substances.

One of the well-known usages of cow manure is biogas. Biogas is one of the

renewable, sustainable alternative resources that significantly reduce greenhouse

effect. Biogas is produced by the fermentation or anaerobic digestion of

biodegradable materials like animal manure. A cow can actually produce sufficient

manure in a day to produce 3 kilowatt hours of electricity, that is more than enough

to light a bulb (NNFCC, 2013).

Composting cow manure has several benefits and advantages. Aside from

the fact that it aids in the elimination of ammonia and pathogens as well as weeds,

composted cow manure adds a huge amount of organic helpful matter to soil. By

mixing manure into the soil, improvement of the soil’s moisture holding capacity

improves. This mechanism decreases the need of frequent watering of plants

(Tilley, 2018). Even the use of fresh cow manure has a direct effect on soil

properties. Fresh cow manure contains about the same ratio of nitrogen,

phosphorus and potassium as a balanced commercial fertilizer but in much smaller

quantities. In addition, cow manure contains a huge number of helpful

microorganisms that can break down organic matter into humus, change nutrients

to forms that can be easily utilized. Although most of the microorganisms found

are helpful, the disadvantage of using fresh cow manure is that there is a slight

possibility that harmful pathogens can aid in the spread of disease when used on

food crops (Doxon, 2018). Due to the identified pros and cons of using different

types of manure: compost and fresh. There are several suggested means of

collecting the manure itself. In addition, it is important to note that manure from

carnivores like pigs should not be used because they can host pathogens and

parasites that can infect humans and can’t be composted away. With this, it is

suggested to use manures from cows, goats, horses, rabbits, sheep and other

grass-eaters (Pleasant, 2018).

The use of animal manure, particularly that of cows, has been rampant in

terms of biofertilizer. However, the benefits of it when used creatively, like making

it into a pot, actually provides more benefits than the regular usage of applying it

or mixing the cow dung with soil. The use of cow manure as pots enable the

reduction of plastic bag use, allowing the ecopot to be placed directly into the soil

without disrupting the root ball (Menon, 2016).

Related Studies

Understanding the impacts of agricultural management practices on soil

quality indicators is very crucial. It is important to determine the influences of

alternative management systems and soil amendments such as animal manure

and inorganic fertilizers on soils and crop productivity. In a study conducted, the

use of manure lowered the bulk density to 0-10cm depth compared to fertilizer and

control. This significant effect reflects the fact that manure does create a more

relative result compared to that of chemical fertilizer (Ozlu, 2016).

The usage of cow manure has been identified and several studies have

been conducted to explore its importance. One particular study points out the

importance and relevance of cow manure in terms of providing alternative source

for the production of building blocks. Since sand-cement blocks is becoming more

expensive, the alternative use of cow manure has been explored, proving the

stabilizing element of cow manure, leading to the birth of earthblocks (Millogo et

al, 2016). In the same way, the use of cow manure as alternative element in pot

production is explored.

Soil provides numerous essential ecosystem services such as primary

production, regulation of biogeochemical cycle, water filtration, resistance to

diseases and pests regulation (Jhariya & Raj, 2014). With this fact, the importance

of soil is emphasized on several studies including that of Raj, Jhariya & Toppo
(2014). In their particular study, it is mentioned that soil fertility is crucial in any

plant growth and production. Moreover, the presence of animal manure,

proactively addresses this concern since cow manure contains vital or important

elements like the three major plant nutrients, namely Nitrogen, Phosphorus and

Potassium. In addition, manure does not only provide necessary nutrients, it also

improves soil tilth, water holding capacity, aeration and promotes the growth of

helpful organisms necessary for health and growth of crops and plants. In a

different study conducted, there is indeed a significant difference in terms of the

presence of these elements (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) when the soil

is mixed with cow manure. Not only did that soil component nutrient changed, but

also the growth and nutrient component of the crop itself. As a result, the growth

of a particular crop, mungbean in this case, has been highly affected by the

presence and usage of cow manure as a form of biofertilizer (Mazed et al, 2016).

In a separate study conducted, the use of biofertilizers like cow manure has

effectively increased the production of crops from 50 to 92% (Mandal et al, 2013).

With the effect of biofertilizer in terms of soil fertility, it can be considered that the

soil biology is the door to maintenance of soil health, in turn providing a healthy,

thriving environment for any plant.

 References

Doxon, L. (2018). The Effects of Fresh Cow Manure on Soil Properties. Retrieved
on December 18, 2018 from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/effects-
fresh-cow-manure-soil-properties-76701.html
Jhariya, M. K. & Raj, A. (2014). Human Welfare from Biodiversity. Agrobios
Newsletter 12(9):89-91

Mandal, K.K., Rajak, A., Debnath, S.W. & Hasan, M.A. (2014). Integrated Nutrient
Management in Aonla. West Bengal. Journal of Crop and Weed
9:121-23
Mazed, K., Mahabub, S. T., Khan, S. H., Sarker, S. & Tareque, H. (2016). Effect
of Cow Manure on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Content of Mungbean.
Asian Research Journal of Agriculture 2(1):1-6. Article no.
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Menon, A. (2016). How a Farm in Dharamsala Can Help us Replace Plastic Bags
with Eco Friendly Cow Dung Planters. The Better India Journal.

Millogo, Y., Aubert, J.E., Sere, A.D. & Morel, J.C. (2016). Earth blocks stabilized
by cow-dung. Materials and Structure Journal. DOI: 10.1617/s11527-
016-0808-6

Ozlu, E. (2016). Long Term Impacts of Annual Cattle Manure and Fertilizer or Soil
Quality Under Corn-Soybean Rotation in Easter South Dakota. South
Dakota State University. Open Public Research Access Institutional
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Pleasant, B. (2018). Using Animal Manure in the Vegetable Garden. Retrieved

on December 18, 2018 from https://www.growveg.com/guides/using-
animal-manure-in-the-vegetable-garden/

Raj, A., Jhariya, M. K. & Toppo, P. (2014). Cow Dung for Ecofriendly and
Sustainable Productive Farming. International Journal of Scientific
Research 3(10): 201-202

Tilley, N. (2018). Cow Dung Fertilizer: Learn the benefits of cow manure compost.
Gardening Know How. Retrieved on December 18, 2018 from
https://www.Gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/cow-
manure-compost.htm