Cow dung is an inexpensive and untapped bioresource that can be utilized for numerous uses. Thanks to its diverse population of microorganisms, it degrades hydrocarbons, pesticides and wastes in an environmentally friendly manner.
Research has demonstrated that adding cattle manure to fish ponds significantly increased total dissolved carbon (TDC), organic nitrogen and calcium concentrations in the water, as well as improved its alkalinity.
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Biofertilizer
Biofertilizers are beneficial microorganisms that increase soil nutrient availability. Studies have demonstrated that using biological fertilizers can boost crop yields by 20-30%, replace chemical nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, and stimulate plant growth.
Bacterial, algal and fungi biofertilizers are the most widely employed bio-fertilizers. They work synergistically with plant roots to mobilize nutrients in soil, improving its health and increasing crop productivity.
Biofertilizers not only offer agronomic advantages, but they also protect from biotic and abiotic stresses (Ambrosini et al., 2016). They can be applied under controlled (growth chamber/greenhouse) or uncontrolled conditions in the field; however, proper formulation is essential to guarantee shelf life and protection during storage.
Antimicrobial
Cow dung contains bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, which exhibit antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens like Fusarium soalni, Fusarium oxysporum and Sclerotinum (Basak and Lee 2002; Swain et al. 2012).
Cow dung contains thermotolerant bacteria, microorganisms that can help dissolve phosphate and improve soil fertility. Furthermore, these microbes produce growth regulators and inhibitors against plant pathogens (Swain et al. 2012).
Rio, an Indonesian farmer, developed a low-cost fish feed formula using cow dung and other auxiliary materials. His product proved successful for species such as tilapia and carp in several ponds where it’s now considered both cost effective and environmentally friendly source of fish food.
Biodegradable
Cow dung is an organic waste that decomposes naturally in nature and provides plants with essential nutrients. It contains elements necessary for plant growth and development such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Composting cow manure is an environmentally friendly way to manage cattle waste and produce high-quality fertilizer for all types of crops.
However, managing cow droppings can be a hassle. Not doing so correctly may lead to unpleasant odors and other problems that could negatively impact your family or the environment.
Natural Pesticide
Pesticides are chemical or biological agents used to control insects, weeds, plant pathogens, and other organisms. Although pesticides can be effective tools for plant protection, they also have some drawbacks such as toxicity towards nontarget organisms and the environment.
Biopesticides are products derived from natural materials like animals, plants, bacteria or microorganisms. These substances tend to be less toxic to nontarget organisms than synthetic chemical pesticides and degrade quickly in the environment; thus minimizing risks of long-term contamination and chemical levels reaching aquatic ecosystems.
Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, which affect the nervous systems of target pests (and nontarget organisms), can be highly toxic to humans and other animals as well as cause environmental harm such as endocrine disruption and cancer.
Biogas
One common use for cow dung is in biogas plants, where the indigested cellulose from the dung is decomposed into methane gas and used for electricity and heat energy production.
Biogas in small-scale power plants can help reduce greenhouse gases, such as methane. Furthermore, it’s a renewable energy source unlike most fossil fuels which must be extracted and burned for energy production.
Bacterial digestion of organic wastes produces biogas, a natural gas composed primarily of methane and carbon dioxide. When burned, this energy can be stored or used to power turbines and other direct combustion systems.
