A Comparative Study on the Nutrient Composition of the Biogas Slurry and other Organic Fertilizers used by Small Scale Farmers in Kenya

Authors

  • Nyangau Jared  Department of Chemistry, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Gatebe Erastus  Research Technology & Innovation Department (RTI), Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI),Nairobi, Kenya
  • Nyagah Christopher  Department of Chemistry, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Njugi Alex  Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Nairobi, Kenya
  • Ahenda Stephen   Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Nairobi, Kenya

Keywords:

Biogas Slurry, Mineral Fertilizer, Organic Fertilizers

Abstract

A study was taken to compare the chemical composition of three organic fertilizers; biogas slurry, farmyard manure and slurry compost used by small scale farmers in Kajiado, Kiambu and Nakuru counties in Kenya for agricultural purposes. Proper utilization of the organic fertilizers can reduce the use of mineral fertilizers by 50% therefore reducing the cost of production. Both macro and micro nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, magnesium, Manganese, Copper, Iron and Zinc were analysed using the Standard Operating Procedures and compared to Kenyan organic fertilizer standards. The analysis indicated great variability in the levels of the nutrient composition from one organic fertilizer type to another.

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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology

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Published

2017-02-28

Issue

Volume 3, Issue 1, January-February-2017

Section

Research Articles

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How to Cite

[1]
Nyangau Jared, Gatebe Erastus, Nyagah Christopher, Njugi Alex, Ahenda Stephen , " A Comparative Study on the Nutrient Composition of the Biogas Slurry and other Organic Fertilizers used by Small Scale Farmers in Kenya, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology(IJSRSET), Print ISSN : 2395-1990, Online ISSN : 2394-4099, Volume 3, Issue 1, pp.233-238, January-February-2017.