Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture 1 Robert Gensch, Xavier University

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Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 3 Contents 1.Concept 2.How it can optimize SSWM 3.Applicability 4.Advantages and disadvantages 5.References

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 4 Background Urine is a liquid product of the human body that is secreted by the kidneys. A big share of the soluble substances in the urine consists of essential plant nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. There is almost a mass balance between nutrient consumption and excretion (What goes in goes out) (JOENSSON 2004) The actual nutrient content in urine is therefore dependent on local diet patterns and varies between countries as well as between individuals. (JOENSSON 2004) Urine from normal, healthy people is virtually free of pathogens. (TILLEY et al. 2008) 1. Concept Functional schematic of urine use in agriculture. Source: TILLEY et al. (2008)

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 5 Background On average an adult person produces around 500 liters of urine per year. (JOENSSON 2004) Roughly around 80% of nitrogen, 60% of potassium and 55% of phosphorus is excreted with urine. (TILLEY et al. 2008) Urine can therefore be considered a well-balanced, nitrogen rich liquid fertilizer. (JOENSSON 2004) Separately collected and hygienized urine is a concentrated source of nutrients that can be applied as a liquid fertilizer in agriculture to replace all or some commercial chemical fertilizer. 1. Concept Functional schematic of urine use in agriculture. Source: TILLEY et al. (2008)

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 6 Treatment and Health Considerations Urine can be generally be considered pathogen free, however during the source separation faecal cross-contamination can occur To be considered safe for agricultural application at household level urine should be stored for a minimum of 1 month (WHO 2006) If urine is used for crops that are eaten by those other than the urine producer, it should be stored for 6 months. (WHO 2006) In larger scale urine collection systems it is recommended to store urine for a minimum of 6 months In addition World Heath Organization (WHO) recommends a flexible Multi-Barrier Approach where several barriers/measures are put in place in order to reduce the health risk to an acceptable minimum 1. Concept

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 7 Treatment and Health Considerations 1. Concept Schematic of the WHO Multi-Barrier Approach Source: R. Gensch

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 8 Application Rate Because of the high Nitrogen content urine should be applied at a rate corresponding to the Nitrogen requirements of the plant Should follow existing recommendations for synthetic fertilizers Rule of thumb: 1m 2 of cropland can receive the urine from 1 person per day (1 to 1.5 litre), per crop harvested (e.g. 400 m 2 of cropland per year can be fertilized). (TILLEY et al. 2008) 1. Concept Application of urine with watering can in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines Source: R. Gensch

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 9 Dilution Urine can be applied neat or diluted with water Existing recommendations vary widely A common and often recommended dilution rate is between 1:3 and 1:5 Advantages of dilution: o Noticeable odor reduction o Decreased risk of over-application o Minimizes risk of toxicity to plants Disadvantages o Increases the volume to be spread, thus labor and transport inputs 1. Concept Dilution of urine, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines Source: R. Gensch

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 10 Application Time Good availability of nutrients particularly important in early stages of cultivation Once the crop enters its reproductive stage it hardly takes up any more nutrients Fertilization should stop after between 2/3 and 3/4 of the time between sowing and harvest A waiting period of one month between fertilization and harvest should always (!) be observed 1. Concept Sweet Corn produced with urine from UDDT, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines Source: R. Gensch

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 11 Application Technique For best fertilizing effect and to avoid ammonia losses, urine should be incorporated into the soil as soon as possible Shallow incorporation into the soil (either small furrows that are covered after application or washing the nutrients into the soil with subsequent application of water) Urine should not be applied on leaves or other parts of the plants (foliar burning) Spraying urine in the air should be avoided Urine should be applied either prior to sowing/planting or at such a distance from the plants (about 10 cm) that the nutrients are within reach of the roots 1. Concept Urine application close to the ground and with distance to the plant roots, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines Source: R. Gensch

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 12 Examples 1. Concept Farmer in Burkina Faso with onions that are fertilized with urine (left) and without urine (right) Source: L. Dagerskog Young maize plants fertilized with different levels of urine P. Morgan

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 13 Examples 1. Concept Maize combs fertilized with different levels of urine, Zimbabwe Source: P. Morgan Spinach and cabbage after 2 months treatment with diluted urine (left) compared to water application only (right), Zimbabwe P. Morgan

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 14 The use of hygienized urine in agriculture can help in optimizing your local water management and sanitation system and make it more sustainable by: Making productive use of the nutrient and fertilizer value in human urine Producing vegetables at a household level and increasing household food security Reducing the dependence on costly synthetic fertilisers Avoiding the direct discharge into the environment and thus preventing eutrophication of water sources, health hazards etc. 2. How can it optimize SSWM

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: 15 The most important aspect is that there must be a need for nutrients otherwise the urine can become a source of pollution and nuisance if dealt with improperly Urine can be applied on small and larger fields, beds, vertical or container gardens, school gardens, plant pots on terraces, rooftops etc. Urine is especially beneficial on poor soils and for crops that are lacking nitrogen. Urine application is ideal for rural and peri-urban areas where agricultural lands are close to the point of urine collection. If facilities and infrastructure exist, urine can also be collected at a semi-centralized location for distribution and transport to agricultural land. (TILLEY et al. 2008) 3. Applicability

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: Advantages and Disadvantages Disadvantages: Urine is a relatively heavy medium (low value/weight) and difficult to transport Smell may be offensive Application of urine labour intensive Requires space for agricultural activity Requires acceptance by the users (TILLEY et al. 2008) Advantages: Low cost Low risk of pathogen transmission Reduced dependence on costly synthetic fertilizers Income generation Easy to understand techniques (TILLEY et al. 2008)

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture Find this presentation and more on: References JOENSSON, H., RICHERT A., VINNERAS, B., SALOMON, E. (2004): Guidelines on the Use of Urine and Faeces in Crop Production, Stockholm, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), EcoSanRes Publication Series, Report TILLEY, E., LÜTHI, C., MOREL, A., ZURBRÜGG, C., SCHERTENLEIB, R. (2008): Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies, Switzerland, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science (EAWAG) & Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) WHO (2006): Guidelines for the Safe Use Wastewater, Excreta and Greywater, Volume 4: Excreta and Greywater Use in Agriculture, Geneva, World Health Organisation

Use of Hygienized Urine in Agriculture 18 “Linking up Sustainable Sanitation, Water Management & Agriculture” SSWM is an initiative supported by: Compiled by: