The Study on Humanure as an Alternative to Commercial Fertilizer and its Decay Rate with Various Additives

Aug 25, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore

Agricultural pollution driven by excessive chemical fertilizer use degrades soil health over time and also harms surface and groundwater quality while contributing to large emissions of greenhouse gases. The study evaluates recycled human waste as “humanure” for agricultural production, discussing sanitation challenges and the limits and costs of conventional fertilizer systems. Results indicate lower initial yields, with higher projected yields in the long run, and show that saw dust, rice husk, and wood ash additives can enhance humanure macronutrient content.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Material and Methodology

Soil Sampling

Plant Analysis

Decay Rate Coefficient of Humanure with Various Additives

| | | International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Impact Factor (2012): 3.358 | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | The Study on Humanure as an Alternative to Commercial Fertilizer and its Decay Rate with Various Additives Chandrashekar.B1, NagalakshmiN. A2, Dr. D. Istalingamurthy3, Dr. K. S. Lokesh4 1Former Post Graduate Student, Department of Environmental Engineering, S. J. C. E, Mysore, Karnataka, India 2Former Post Graduate Student, Department of Environmental Engineering, S. J. C. E, Mysore, Karnataka, India 3Dr. D. Istalingamurthy, Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, S. J. C. E, Mysore, Karnataka, India 4Dr. K. S. Lokesh, Professor & Head and Mellon Scholar (USA), Department of Environmental Engineering, S. J. C. E, Mysore, Karnataka, India Abstract: Agricultural pollution is major environmental pollutants and is caused by excessive use of chemicals, which ultimately deteriorate the soil health when applied continuously for better yield, also it pollute surface and ground water quality and it account for emission of tons of green house gases. Hence the study was taken with a view to evaluate opportunities and possibilities of usage of recycled human waste in the agricultural production, highlighting the general sanitation crisis, fertilizer scenarios and its limits, constraints and cost. The aim of the study was to promote the use of humanure onto the agricultural crops/lands, which addresses the consequences of changes in agricultural production with respect to ecology, environment and economy. From the study it is found that initially it produce lower yield but for long run yield is projected to be high. A study was also carried out on Kinetics of the decay of Humanure with various additives and it is found that the macronutrients content of Humanure can be enhanced by using the combination of Saw Dust, Rice Husk and Wood Ash as additives. Keywords: Humanare, Saw Dust, Rice Husk, Wood Ash 1. Introduction Faeces contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and also organic carbon as well as most of the pathogens. Stored excreta are transformed from a harmful product into a productive asset. Human faeces are the main source of diarrheal pathogens and all other common endemic gastroenteric infections and some respiratory infections. Ecological sanitation not only seeks to sanitize feaces, but also to provide nutrient for plants [15] . It play a major role on closing nutrient loops and improving soil fertility and structure, yield will be higher per unit space, plants will be healthier and more nutritious and lower levels of external inputs and less water will be required [1] & [2] . Human excreta, on average, sufficient plant nutrient [15] in the forms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to grow the 230 kg of crops they need each year, with approximately 65 to 90% of the nutrient being found in urine. Furthermore, these nutrients are in chemical compounds easily accessible to plants. Humanure is dark brown, crumbly and is earthy smelling like any other organic fertilizers [13] . It serves primarily as a soil conditioner; whether it’s spread in a layer on the soil surface or is dug in. soil regularly mended with compost is better able to hold air and water, drain more efficiently and contains a nutrient reserve the plants can draw on. Treated faeces are worked well into the soil, and should not be left on the soil surface [13] . It should not be used for growing vegetables, fruits or root crops that will be consumed raw. A period of at least one month between application and harvest is recommended for treated feaces. 2. Material and Methodology The studies were carried out by making ten plots each of equal dimensions i.e. 250 sq-ft of each plot size. To crosscheck the results and to assess humanure is better alternative, two types of crops are grown namely Soya bean and Green Gram in each of five plots with different application option

FAQs

Why is humanure considered as an alternative to commercial fertilizer?

Humanure is studied as recycled human waste for agricultural production, aiming to address fertilizer limits and sanitation crises while improving ecological, environmental, and economic outcomes.

What did the study find about crop yield over time?

Initial application produced lower yields, but the long-run yield was projected to be higher.

How can additives affect the decay and nutrient content of humanure?

Kinetics of humanure decay were examined with various additives, and macronutrient content was enhanced by combining saw dust, rice husk, and wood ash.

Aug 25, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore