pH VALUE OF SOIL AFTER APPLYING COW DUNG

AND UREA FERTILIZER

Abstract:
Soils are essential for life, in the sense that they provide the medium for plant
growth, habitat for many insects and other organisms, act as a filtration system
for surface water, carbon store and maintenance of atmospheric
gases. Soils provide plants with essential minerals and nutrient.

Soil acidification is a natural process in high rainfall environment

Intensive agriculture practice can speed up acidification through many

processes-increasing leaching, addition of fertilizers, removal of soil organic
matter. Soil acidification is greeted when nitrogen source fertilizers are used.
That too when ammonium-based nitrogen fertilizer is used higher is their
potential to acidify soil.
Study is focussed on the effect of cow dung and urea on soil pH. The
application of urea to the soil increased the acidity of the soil. Cow dung
manure can increase the pH of acid soils in natural way. Soil acidity was
greater in normal soil than the red soil after application of fertilizer. After cow
dung application in both the soil sample, pH reached.
INTRODUCTION:
Soils are important for human health in a number of ways. Soils are also a
major source of nutrients, and they act as natural filters to remove contaminants
from water. However, soils may contain heavy metals, chemicals, or pathogens
that have the potential to negatively impact human health.
The continuous application of mineral fertilizers especially urea fertilizer
increases soil acidity soil. Acidity is the major constrains affecting soil
productivity.
There is need for material that can counteract the negative affect of mineral
fertilizers. Minerals limes are costly and more lichey are all chemical are are
chemicals cattle dung is common in all ecological zones. Its availability may
not be a problem as it is a heap and readily available. The main objective of this
study was to determine the effect of cattle dung fertilized with urea on soil pH.
Cattle manure amendments can increase the pH of acid soils. Crop production
on acidic soil can be improved greatly by adjusting the pH to near neutrality.
While soil acidity is commonly corrected by liming, there is evidence that
animal manure can increase the pH of acid soils.
We are going to check the pH of soil after Appling cow dung and fertilizer.
Then we need to check which one need to use in soil. By using correct one
which the soil will not lose its fertility. So, soil deplete and loose its fertility.
Nutrition losses can happen due to the following reasons also. In intensive
cultivation the depletion is fast.
pH stands for "potential of Hydrogen" and is a measure of the relationship of
hydrogen ions (H+) to hydroxyl ions (OH-). Soil pH is a measure of hydrogen
ions (H+) in the soil. In other words, a soil pH value is a measurement of the
concentration of ions held to soil particles and organic matter. Readings below
7.0 indicate the soil is "acidic," and readings above 7.0 indicate "alkaline" soil
conditions. Most of the plants we grow in our home gardens require a soil that is
slightly acidic, usually within a pH range of 6.2 to 6.8. Soil pH is very
important because it directly affects soil nutrient availability

REVIEW OF LITRETURE:
1)Whalen, J.K., C. Chang, G.W. Clayton and J.P. Carefoot, 2000. Cattle
manure amendments can increase the pH of acid soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am.
J., 64: 962-966.
Abstract:
Crop production on acid soils can be improved greatly by adjusting the pH to
near neutrality. While soil acidity is commonly corrected by liming, there is
evidence that animal manure amendments can increase the pH of acid soils. The
effect of fresh cattle manure on soil acidity and nutrient availability was
determined in the laboratory for two acid soils from Beaver lodge and Fort
Vermillion in the Peace River region of Alberta, Canada. The effect of manure
on soil pH was immediate and persisted during an 8-wk incubation. Manure-
amended soil had significantly higher pH than unamended soil, and the highest
rate (40 g manure kg-1, dry weight basis) increased the pH of Beaver lodge and
Fort Vermillion soils from 4.8 to 6.0 and 5.5 to 6.3, respectively. The higher pH
in manure-amended than unamended soils was attributed to buffering from
bicarbonates and organic acids in cattle manure. Mineral N (NH4-N + NO3-N),
available P, K, Ca, and Mg increased immediately after manure application, and
available P and K remained significantly higher in manure-amended than
unamended soil after the 8-wk incubation. Soils amended with 40 g manure kg-
1 had three to four times more plant-available P and K than unamended soils
after incubation. Available S concentrations did not differ significantly in
manure-amended and unamended soils. Extractable Al and Fe declined slightly
after manure application, but did not differ in manure-amended or unamended
soils after incubation. No change in the cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of
manure-amended soils compared to unamended soils was observed in this
study, and it appears that appreciable changes in Al, Fe, and CEC from manure
application do not occur in the short-term (weeks). Our results indicate that, in
the short-term, cattle manure amendments can increase the pH and the quantity
of plant-available P and K in acid soils
2)Ayeni, L.S. and M.T. Adetunji, 2010. Integrated application of poultry
manure and mineral fertilizer on soil chemical properties, nutrient uptake,
yield and growth components of maize. Nat. Sci., 8: 60-67
Abstract:
Low soil fertility due to monoculture cereal production systems and inadequate
fertiliser application are some of the major causes for declining crop production
in developing countries. Integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilisers is an
option to alleviate soil fertility problem as it utilises available organic and
inorganic nutrients for sustainable agricultural production and productivity. A
field experiment was conducted in 2014 at Universiti Putra Malaysia to evaluate
the effect of the integrated application of poultry manure and inorganic fertiliser
on soil chemical properties and nutrient uptake of maize and soybean in
maizesoybean intercropping. Treatments comprised combinations of three
cropping systems (sole maize, sole soybean, and maize + soybean) and four
fertilisation regimes (control, 100% NPK, 100% poultry manure (PM) and 50%
NPK + 50% PM). The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block
design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that either growing
soybean alone or as an intercrop with maize resulted in increased soil organic
matter (OM) (P<0.05), total N (P<0.0001), soil available P (P<0.0001) and soil
cation exchange capacity (CEC)(P<0.05). Intercropping maize with soybean
significantly reduced N, P and K uptake of soybean (P<0.0001), but uptake of
N, P and K by maize was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by intercropping.
Application of 100% PM and integrated application of 50% NPK+50% PM
gave significantly higher soil pH (P<0.001), soil OM (P<0.0001), soil total
N(P<0.0001), soil available P (P<0.0001), soil exchangeable K (P<0.001) and
soil CEC(P<0.0001) compared to control and 100% NPK. For both maize and
soybeans, the highest uptake of N, P and K was observed from the integrated
application of 50% NPK+50% PM (P<0.0001). It can be concluded that
integrated application of organic and inorganic fertiliser is the best option to
improve soil chemical properties and nutrient uptake of maize and soybean .

3 Rahman, M. S., M. R. Islam, M. M. Rahman and M. I. Hossain, 2009. Effect

of cowdung, poultry manure and urea-N on the yield and nutrient uptake of
BRRI dhan 29. Bangladesh Res. Pub. J. 2: 552-558.
Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of prilled urea (PU), and
urea super granule (USG) alone or in combination with poultry manure or
cowdung on NH4-N content of rice field with nitrogen use efficiency (NUE)
and the yield of rice (cv. BRRI dhan50). The experiment was carried out at the
Soil Science Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University,
Mymensingh during Boro season of 2012 and laid out in a randomized complete
block design with three replications. There were six treatments viz. T1
(Control), T2 (78 kg N ha-1 from USG), T3 (136 kg N ha-1 from PU), T4 (58
kg N ha-1 from USG), T5 (58 kg N ha-1 from USG + 3 t ha-1 poultry manure)
and T6 (58 kg N ha-1 from USG + 5 t ha-1 cowdung). All plots received
recommended doses of P, K, S and Zn fertilizers. The NH4-N in rice field water
increased rapidly when N was applied as PU. In contrast, NH4-N release was
very slow when applied as USG over the crop growth period. Application of
PU, USG alone or in combination with poultry manure or cowdung significantly
influenced grain and straw yield, all the yield components except 1000-grain
weight of BRRI dhan50. Urea super granule with poultry manure (treatment T5)
produced the highest grain and straw yield and the lowest values were recorded
from control. Nitrogen content and uptake, apparent N recovery and NUE were
also influenced significantly by the application of PU, and USG alone or in
combination with organic manure. Among the treatments, T5 demonstrated the
highest N recovery and NUE. The overall results suggest that application of
USG in combination with poultry manure could be considered more effective
for increasing the yield and NUE of BRRI dhan50.
Materials required:
1) Soil sample (red and normal soil)
2) Test tubes
3) Funnel
4) Filter paper
5) pH paper
6) Distilled water and beaker
7) Cow dung and Fertilizer
Procedure:
i)Dissolve one tablespoon soil sample in 100ml distilled water in separate
beakers.
ii)Stir the solution well and keep for half an hour to settle down the suspended
particle.
iii)Filter off the given solution in different test tubes.
iv)Dip a small piece of broad range pH paper in each of the soil solution.
v)Match the colour of the pH paper with the colour scale given on the pH paper
booklet. This gives an approximate pH.
vi) Repeat the procedure after Appling cow dung and fertilizer in separate.
vii) pH of the soil samples were checked after a week of application of cow
dung and urea fertilizer.
viii) Following proportions were used.
Normal soil and red soil used as control. (500g)
500g soil sample + 10g urea
500g soil sample + 10g cow dung

500g soil sample + 10g urea

500g soil sample + 30g cow dung
Observation:

S.NO RED SOIL PH

1. RED SOIL 6
2. AFTER APPLYING COW DUNG 7

3. AFTER APPLYING FERTILIZER 5

4. COW DUNG + FERTILIZER 7

S.NO NORMAL SOIL PH

1. NORMAL SOIL 6
2. AFTER APPLYING COW DUNG 7
3. AFTER APPLYING FERTILIZER 4
4. COW DUNG + FERTILIZER 6

S.NO NORMAL SOIL pH

1. NORMAL SOIL 6

2. NORMAL SOIL + 10g COW DUNG 7

3. NORMAL SOIL + 10g UREA 4

4. NORMAL SOIL + 10g UREA + 10g DUNG 4
5. NORMAL SOIL + 10g UREA + 30g DUNG 6

S.NO RED SOIL pH

1. RED SOIL(500) 7
2. RED SOIL + 10g COW DUNG 8
3. RED SOIL + 10g UREA 5
4. RED SOIL +10g DUNG + 10g UREA 5
5. RED SOIL +30g DUNG +10g UREA 7
RESULT AND DISCUSSION:
Normal soil shows 6, after applying cow dung 6, after applying fertilizer 4
Red soil shows 6, after applying cow dung 7, after applying fertilizer 5.
It shows that fertilizer which give 4 and 5 which is only applicable for only
some plants. By using fertilizer which is more acidic which causes soil fertility.
The pH is important because it influences the availability of essential nutrients.

Most horticultural crops will grow satisfactorily in soils having a pH between 6

(slightly acid) and 7.5 (slightly alkaline). There are a few plants that require
a soil pH of 6 to 8 where cow dung will provide essential nutrient.
Chemical fertilizers can make the top soil acidic, because nitrogen lowers the
pH of the soil.
Compared with control, all the soil samples treated with cow dung increased
soil pH. Compared with control, cattle dung applied without urea fertilizer and
cattle dung + urea fertilizer significantly increased soil pH, while there was
reduction in pH of the soil fertilizer with urea alone.
But to counteract the acidity caused by 10g of urea. 30g of cow dung
amendment was required.
CONCLUSION:
The lab experiment conducted lowed the effect of cattle dung, urea fertilizer and
the cattle dung combined with urea fertilizer on soil pH. Fertilizer application
alone increased the soil pH.

The effects of fertilizer and manure applications on soil organic matter status
and soil physical properties are of importance to agricultural sustainability.
Their effects are complex and many interactions can occur. In the short-term,
liming can result in dispersion of clay colloids and formation of surface crusts.
As pH is increased the surface negative charge on clay colloids increases and
repulsive forces between particles dominate. However, at higher lime rates,
Ca2+ concentrations and ionic strength in soil solution increase causing
compression of the electrical double layer and renewed flocculation. When
present in sufficient quantities, both lime and hydroxy-Al polymers formed by
precipitation of exchangeable Al, can act as cementing agents bonding soil
particles together and improving soil structure. Liming often causes a
temporary flush of soil microbial activity but the effect of this on soil
aggregation is unclear. It is suggested that, in the long-term, liming will
increase crop yields, organic matter returns, soil organic matter content and
thus soil aggregation. There is a need to study these relationships on existing
long-term liming trials.

Fertilizers are applied to soils in order to maintain or improve crop yields. In

the long-term, increased crop yields and organic matter returns with regular
fertilizer applications result in a higher soil organic matter content and
biological activity being attained than where no fertilizers are applied. As a
result, long-term fertilizer applications have been reported, in a number of
cases, to cause increases in water stable aggregation, porosity, infiltration
capacity and hydraulic conductivity and decreases in bulk density. Fertilizer
additions can also have physico-chemical effects which influence soil
aggregation. Phosphatic fertilizers and phosphoric acid can favour aggregation
by the formation of Al or Ca phosphate binding agents whilst where fertilizer
NH4+ accumulates in the soil at high concentrations, dispersion of clay colloids
can be favoured.

Additions of organic manures result in increased soil organic matter content.

Many reports have shown that this results in increased water holding capacity,
porosity, infiltration capacity, hydraulic conductivity and water stable
aggregation and decreased bulk density and surface crusting. Problems
associated with large applications of manure include dispersion caused by
accumulated K+, Na+ and NH4+ in the soil and production of water-repellant
substances by decomposer fungi.
There is need for material that can counteract the negative affect of mineral
fertilizers. Minerals limes are costly and more lichey are all chemical are are
chemicals cattle dung is common in all ecological zones. Its availability may
not be a problem as it is a heap and readily available. The main objective of this
study was to determine the effect of cattle dung fertilized with urea on soil pH.
To counteract the acidic effect caused by the small amount fertilizers there is a
need for large amount of cow dung amendment.

.
pH VALUE OF SOIL AFTER APPLYING COW
DUNG AND FERTILIZER

(A BIOLOGY PROJECT REPORT)

Submitted by
KISHORE.M
In partial fulfillment of the
Requirement for the AISSCE of Class XII

2019-2020

OXALISS INTERNATIONAL
SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
[Affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi]

Kallakurichi– 606213
Tamil Nadu
 OXALISS INTERNATIONAL SR.SEC. SCHOOL
THATCHUR, KALLAKURICHI – 606213
(Affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi, Affiliation Code – 1930490)

CERTIFICATE

Roll No:________________ Exam No:________________

This is to certify that KISHORE.M, student of class 12th has

satisfactorily completed her project work for chemistry practical examinations.

The project work of

“pH VALUE OF SOIL AFTER APPLING COW DUNG

AND FERTILIZER”
was performed and carried out by the candidate themselves under my
supervision and submitted for Central Board of Secondary Education
examination held in the chemistry laboratory at Oxaliss International Sr. Sec.
School, Kallakurichi.
Held on:

Signature of In-charge teacher Signature of HOD Signature of Principal

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to all those people

without whom this project could have never been completed. First and foremost

I would like to thank my parents for the inexhaustible source of inspiration.

I wish to express my gratitude to Mr. BHARATH KUMAR,

correspondent of Oxaliss International Sr. Sec. School for his constant guidance

and providing a very nice platform to learn. I would like to extend my

deep gratitude and sincere thanks to Principal, Ms. ANNA MARIA

NORONHA, Oxaliss International Sr. Sec. School for her encouragement and

for all the facilities that she provided for this project work. I sincerely appreciate

this magnanimity by taking me into her fold for which I shall remain indebted to

her.

I extend my hearty thanks to Mrs. JENCY, Biology teacher, who guided me to

the successful completion of this project. I take this opportunity to express my

deep sense of gratitude for her valuable guidance, constant encouragement,

constructive comments, sympathetic attitude and immense motivation, which

has sustained my efforts at all stages of this project work.