It is an age-old tradition to use cow dung in the garden. Most farmers use fresh cow manure in their fertilizers to improve crop production. But, fresh cow dung contains high levels of ammonia. This usually leads to plants dying when the farmer applies the manure directly. That is why modern farmers use cow dung powder instead of the raw product. They provide a lot of benefits that other types of manure may not offer.
Components of cow dung powder
Cow dung powder is a combination of many things. Although the dung consists of digested grains and grass, the powder used for fertilizer production goes through a composting process. Cow dung contains approximately 1% potassium, 2% phosphorus, and 3% nitrogen. Apart from these three essential elements, it also has a high percentage of ammonia that is harmful for pathogens. That is why farmers use composted cow dung so that it doesn’t contain the harmful ammonia gas.
Functions of cow dung powder for agricultural applications
Composted cow dung powder adds a significant amount of organic matter in the soil that promotes crop growth. It increases the moisture-holding capacity of the soil. So, farmers will need to water their crops less frequently. Countries that have scarce water supply use cow dung powder fertilizers so that they don’t have to rely heavily on water. The roots of the crop use additional nutrients and water whenever required.
In addition to increasing moisture-holding capacity, cow dung powder fertilizer which produces by cow dung powder making machine also improves soil aeration. It breaks down the compacted soils and increases porosity, allowing the crops to grow quickly. The healthy bacteria present in this type of fertilizer converts nutrients to different accessible forms that release the essential minerals slowly and steadily without burning the tender crop roots.
Composting cow dung powder
Cow dung powder is not only used in the fertilizers but also spread as a top dressing on crop soil. This nutrient-rich fertilizer is appropriate when it comes to producing fresh crops at the start of the growing season.
The composting process starts by collecting cow dung and mixing it with relatively lighter materials, such as hay or straw. Some of the other ingredients used in the compost mix are ash, lime, garden debris like leaves and twigs, and vegetable matter. Most manufacturers produce mass-scale cow dung fertilizer by self propelled compost turner or cow dung powder production line. So, they need sufficient space to allow the pile to get enough air.
Many farmers who need cow dung powder fertilizer in small quantities can make the same in their house. Since it doesn’t require too much heat, the farmer can keep the manure under a shade and keep twisting and turning it to provide air. On the other hand, manufacturers producing this fertilizer in large quantities use composting machines that mix the ingredients in equal quantities. They can control the temperature and also twist and turn the manure periodically.
This is one of the most inexpensive fertilizers in the agricultural sector. But, it helps to produce a high-quality crop, and that’s why most farmers use it widely all over the world.