The Science Behind Humanure: How It Improves Soil Texture

Human dung, or human waste, has been used as a fertilizer for centuries. In addition to its nutrient content, humanure has been shown to improve soil texture, making it “fluffier” and more conducive to plant growth. This article explores the science behind why manure has this effect on soil texture.

The role of organic matter

One of the main reasons that manure improves soil texture is its high organic matter content. Organic matter is any material derived from living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Organic matter is important for soil health because it helps build soil structure and increases nutrient availability.

When organic matter is added to soil, it provides a food source for soil microbes that break it down into smaller particles. These particles help create pore spaces in the soil that allow for better water and air movement. This increased porosity is what gives the soil its “fluffy” texture.

Manure is particularly rich in organic matter because it contains undigested food particles and other organic matter from the human digestive system. When humanure is added to soil, it provides a source of organic matter that can help improve soil texture over time.

The importance of nutrient content

In addition to its organic matter content, manure contains important nutrients necessary for plant growth, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are typically found in commercial fertilizers, but using manure as a fertilizer can be a more sustainable and cost-effective option.

When manure is added to soil, the nutrients it contains are released slowly over time, providing a steady source of nutrients for plants. This is in contrast to commercial fertilizers, which can provide a quick burst of nutrients, but can also lead to nutrient runoff and soil depletion over time.

The role of microbes

As mentioned earlier, soil microbes play an important role in breaking down organic matter and creating pore space in the soil. They also play a role in releasing nutrients from organic matter and making them available to plants.

When added to soil, manure can help increase the population of beneficial soil microbes, which can improve soil health and plant growth. However, it is important to note that improperly composted manure can also contain harmful pathogens, so it is important to follow proper composting procedures to ensure that the manure is safe to use as a fertilizer.

The Composting Process

To ensure that manure is safe to use as fertilizer, it must be properly composted. Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter through the action of microbes. When manure is composted, it goes through a series of chemical and biological changes that help kill harmful pathogens and transform it into a safe and nutrient-rich fertilizer.

The composting process typically consists of three stages. The first stage is the thermophilic stage, where the temperature of the compost pile rises to about 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit. This high temperature helps to kill harmful pathogens and break down the organic matter into smaller particles.

The second stage is the mesophilic stage, where the temperature of the compost pile drops to about 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit. During this stage, different types of microbes begin to break down the organic matter further, releasing nutrients and creating pore spaces in the soil.

The final stage is the aging stage, where the compost is left to sit for a period of several months to a year. During this time, any remaining pathogens are killed and the compost becomes more stable and nutrient rich.

Conclusion

In summary, manure can play an important role in improving soil texture and fertility when properly composted and applied to the soil. Its high organic matter and nutrient content, as well as its ability to increase soil microbial activity, make it a valuable resource for gardeners and farmers looking to improve soil health and plant growth.

However, it is important to follow proper composting procedures to ensure that the manure is safe to use as a fertilizer. This includes ensuring that the compost pile reaches high enough temperatures to kill harmful pathogens, monitoring moisture levels to prevent the growth of anaerobic bacteria, and allowing the compost to mature for a sufficient period of time before use.

By following these guidelines, manure can be a safe and effective fertilizer that can help improve soil health and reduce the environmental impact of traditional fertilizers.

FAQs

1. What is humanure?

Humanure is human waste, including feces and urine, that can be used as a fertilizer.

2. Why does humanure improve soil texture?

Humanure improves soil texture due to its high organic matter content. When organic matter is added to soil, it provides a food source for soil microbes, which break it down into smaller particles, creating pore spaces in the soil that allow for better water and air movement.

3. What nutrients does humanure contain?

Humanure contains important nutrients for plant growth, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

4. How do soil microbes play a role in improving soil texture?

Soil microbes play a role in breaking down organic matter and creating pore spaces in the soil. They also release nutrients from organic matter and make them available to plants.

5. Why is it important to properly compost humanure before using it as a fertilizer?

It is important to properly compost humanure to ensure that harmful pathogens are killed off and the humanure is safe to use as a fertilizer. Improperly composted humanure can contain harmful pathogens that can be dangerous to human health.

6. What is the composting process for humanure?

The composting process for humanure involves three stages: the thermophilic stage, the mesophilic stage, and the maturation stage. During the thermophilic stage, the compost pile reaches high temperatures that kill off harmful pathogens. During the mesophilic stage, different types of microbes break down the organic matter further, releasing nutrients and creating pore spaces in the soil. During the maturation stage, the compost sits for several months to a year to become stable and nutrient-rich.

7. How can using humanure as a fertilizer be more sustainable than commercial fertilizers?

Using humanure as a fertilizer can be more sustainable than commercial fertilizers because it is a renewable resource that would otherwise go to waste. Additionally, humanure contains important nutrients that can be slowly released over time, providing a constant source of nutrients for plants. This is in contrast to commercial fertilizers that can lead to nutrient runoff and soil depletion over time.