Evaluation of livestock manure composition and their suitability as soil amendments at MUARIK

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the composition of animal manures (chicken, cow, goat and pig manures) in Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK).Therefore determine which animal manure is best suited for crop production. The manure was collected from MUARIK and transported to the soil laboratory at school of agricultural sciences Makerere University, Kampala central Uganda. The study was arranged in randomised complete block design (RCBD) with the manure types as blocks. 6 composite samples were collected from each of the 4 manure types (blocks) to make a total of 24 manure samples. The manure samples were analysed for pH, %N, %P, %K and %OC contents. The data obtained were analysed using Gen Stat statistical software at 5% probability level. There was a strongly significant (P<.001) impact of manure type on all the chemical properties investigated in this study (pH, total N, total P and total K) except for total OC. Chicken manure had the highest percentage nitrogen(2.72±0.12) and lowest phosphorus (2.72±0.12%) whereas pig manure had the lowest nitrogen(0.92±0.23) but highest phosphorus content(6.89±0.19%). Chicken manure was also lowest in organic carbon content (38.22±0.76%). Goat manure had the highest content of potassium(9.38±0.76%). The best manure for gardens/crop production is probably chicken, since it has a higher content of nitrogen, a need all plants have.