Benefits of Cow Dung Fertilizer

What is Cow Dung:

The feces, dung, or manure of a cow is non-digestible plant material excreted along with its feces. Animal feces, as well as human feces, are not popular topics of conversation. But cow dung definitely deserves talking about. It is a valuable resource that can be used in a variety of ways. The waste of such a resource is a shame. In fact, the resulting faecal matter contains valuable minerals. Colors can range from green to blackish, and usually darken after being exposed to air.

Dung patches are also known as cowpies and cowpats because cow manure has a soft texture and tends to be deposited circularly. In addition to serving as a rich fertilizer, an efficient fuel, and a biogas generator, the manure is also used for building, papermaking, and insect repelling. In addition to being an essential source of nutrition for creatures such as dung beetles and the Pilobolus fungus, manure also supports the lives of different animals, plants, and microbes.

What are the Benefits of Cow Dung?

Plants need three crucial nutrients obtained from cow manure in order to grow healthy. Potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Researchers have found that cow dung has roughly 3% nitrogen, 2% phosphorus, and 1% potassium. However, not every cow dung contains the exact same amount of these minerals.

Moreover, since cow dung contains beneficial bacteria, these nutrients can be converted into forms that are easily assimilated by plants. Plants are able to gain the benefits of these nutrients over much longer periods of time by slowly incorporating them into the soil. It is also important to mention that fresh cow manure has a high moisture content, which means the roots can be better aerated.

Many Indian homes have cow dung plasters. The best natural disinfectant, according to research, is cow dung. It is not uncommon to find fresh cow dung paste all over the floor of an Indian village. The walls of cob houses are also coated with cow dung mixed with lime. Several researchers at the University of Bristol and Sage College in Troy, New York, have demonstrated that cow dung is an excellent mood-enhancer. Among the bacteria in cow dung is Mycobacterium vaccae, which activates the production of serotonin in the brain - a neurotransmitter responsible for the feeling of wellness and happiness. Try breathing in the fresh scent of cow dung the next time you're feeling down.

What Precautions Should be Taken While Using Cow Dung:

There are two types of cow manure: fresh and aged. The ammonia content of fresh cow manure is usually quite high, along with harmful pathogens such as E.Coli, which can cause severe diseases in humans. Consequently, handling cow manure must be done with caution, especially if it is fresh. Using fresh cow dung for planting edible crops is best done by mixing it with fresh soil and letting it age for at least six months prior to planting.

Lastly, fresh cow dung should never be applied to plants right after they have been planted. Since cow dung is very high in nitrogen, it will burn the plants. Furthermore, fresh cow dung is known to attract pests and weeds will certainly flourish in the presence of it. For your crops and plants, aged manure is far more suitable.

Other Uses of Cow Dung:

Cow Dung Cake as Fuel and Biogas:

This is the most efficient fuel. The manure of cows is regularly gathered and dried in village communities for use as fuel. Methane is approximately 55% of the biogas, and carbon dioxide is 30%, along with hydrogen and nitrogen.The biogas is produced with all cow dung that is gathered. Cow dung is decomposed anaerobically to produce it. Using cow dung to create biogas is simple. Create a biodigester and supply water while keeping it separated. It is true that cow dung provides a new opportunity to recycle waste and create an eco-friendly environment.

Ingredients of paper:

Cow dung cake can be used to make papers of high quality due to its high fiber content. This paper is made by pressing fibers from cow manure into it. Afterward, the paper can be sold as a product. Cow dung is also utilized in this way.

Using Cow Dung Cakes as Disinfectants:

Cow dung cake smoke has been shown to have disinfectant properties. As a result, cow manure is deliberately used as an insect repellent, largely to protect against mosquitoes. Furthermore, cow dung cake is often applied to floors and walls in rural areas to disinfect them. Whether it is more effective than other elements as a disinfectant is a matter of scientific research.