Tag Archives: human urine

2220–2232 J.A. Chávez, J.L. Alcántara-Flores, R.C. Almiray-Pinzón, E. Díaz-Cabrera, R. Pérez-Avilés, M.E. Patiño-Iglesias and M.A. Mora-Ramírez
Vegetative growth response of beets and lettuce to stored human urine
Abstract |
Full text PDF (507 KB)

Vegetative growth response of beets and lettuce to stored human urine

J.A. Chávez¹, J.L. Alcántara-Flores²*, R.C. Almiray-Pinzón³, E. Díaz-Cabrera³, R. Pérez-Avilés², M.E. Patiño-Iglesias² and M.A. Mora-Ramírez³*

¹University of Puebla, Faculty of Phys. Sci. Math., Avenida San Claudio y 18 Sur, Col. San Manuel, Edif., FM1-101B, Ciudad Universitaria, postal code 72570, Pue., Puebla, México
²University of Puebla, Science Institute, Av. San Claudio, Edif FM8 111-D, San Manuel, 72570 Puebla, Pue., México
³University of Puebla, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Physico Mathematics, Av. San Claudio y 18 Sur, 72570 Puebla, Pue.,
*Correspondence: jlaf7@yahoo.com.mx; marco.x.mora@gmail.com

Abstract:

In this work, we present the experimental results of the effect of stored human urine (SHU) on the growth of beets (Beta vulgaris L) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L). We apply different amounts of SHU according to the recommended dose of nitrogen, considering soil from farmland and vermiculite as substrates. The last allows us to determine with high precision the isolated effect of SHU over the vegetative development of beet plants, without considering other nutrients present in common soils. Experimental results demonstrate that the application of SHU has no significant effects on lettuce vegetative growth under our soil conditions. In contrast, SHU can be used successfully as a fertilizer of beets. The optimum dose was found at 120 kg N ha-1 and resulted in average dry weight of 125 g. However, if the dose exceeds the optimum levels, the growth of the plant is inhibited. Beets fertilized with SHU does not pose any hygienic risk for human consumption. Our findings represent a promising alternative to propose expanding the use of SHU as fertilizer in medium-sized greenhouses and to provide benefits to families in rural areas, with little or no available water supplies.

Key words:

, , , ,




490–500 J. Nagy and A. Zseni
Human urine as an efficient fertilizer product in agriculture
Abstract |
Full text PDF (283 KB)

Human urine as an efficient fertilizer product in agriculture

J. Nagy¹* and A. Zseni²

¹Széchenyi István University, Faculty of Mechanical, Informatics and Electrical Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics, Egyetem tér 1. HU9026 Győr, Hungary
²Széchenyi István University, Audi Hungaria Faculty of Automotive Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Egyetem tér 1. HU9026 Győr, Hungary
*Correspondence: nagyju@sze.hu

Abstract:

Flush toilet based water infrastructure, which handles blackwater and greywater together, causes a lot of environmental problems. Among these, the loss of valuable organic material and nutrient content of human excreta (faeces and urine) is not sufficiently emphasized yet. Utilization of human excreta for agricultural purposes is based on the separate collection of greywater and human excreta. As urine contains most of the nutrients of human excreta, researches focus mainly on urine’s treatment and utilization for agricultural purposes. We reviewed the data in literature about the nutrient content of human excreta. In this paper we present the content of macro and microelements of human urine to show its potential value as a fertilizer. To confirm the necessity of urine’s utilization in agriculture instead of treated it by traditional waste water treatment methods, we have collected and compared the most important advantages and disadvantages of traditional wastewater treatment, separated handling of greywater and excreta as well as human urine’s agricultural utilization.

Key words:

, , , , , ,