Effect of different doses of the dung of cow, human urine and their combination on water and vitamins contents of pineapple (<i>Ananas comosus</i> (L.) Merr.) in southern Benin

Abstract

Pineapple is a tropical fruit much appreciated and consumed throughout the world. The present study has determined the effects of different doses of excrements on fruit water and vitamins content in order to offer to South-Benin pineapple growers an efficient and inexpensive organic fertilization formula. Three-months old plants of the pineapple variety named "Pain de sucre" were submitted, every three months until physiological maturity, to organic fertilization consisting of two doses of dung of cow; two doses of human urine; two combinations of both organic fertilizers and control without any fertilization following a complete randomized block design with seven treatments and four replicates. Fruit water and vitamins contents were determined at fruit maturity using appropriate methods. The results revealed that the effect of excrement use is significant on fruit water, liposolubles (A, E, K1) and hydrosolubles (B3 and B6) vitamins contents ; also this effect varied according to the vitamin. Treatments T1-2 (the dung of cow 310.56 g), followed by T3-1 (dung of cow 77.64 g + human urine 14.05 g) induced the highest fruit water and vitamins contents. These results confirm the importance of cow's dung and human urine in soil fertilization. The use of these two best treatments (T1-2 and T3-1) will facilitate production of good nutritional quality pineapple suitable for exportation.

Production potential of cow dung for the generation of electric current using microbial fuel cell

“…The organic matter, total solids and total volatile solids are similar to the report of Maduekeh et al [22] and Kpera et al [23]. The total volatile solids is in accordance with the report of Maduekeh et al [22] but a higher value was obtained in the total solids and organic matter as in the report of Maduekeh et al [22] and Kpera et al [23]. The mineral composition of the cow dung which are potassium, phosphorus, lead, iron and sodium varied across the cow dung samples.…”

“…The high electrical conductivity obtained could be attributed to the presence of some salts in the sample [21]. The organic matter, total solids and total volatile solids are similar to the report of Maduekeh et al [22] and Kpera et al [23]. The total volatile solids is in accordance with the report of Maduekeh et al [22] but a higher value was obtained in the total solids and organic matter as in the report of Maduekeh et al [22] and Kpera et al [23].…”

Impact of deforestation and subsequent land-use change on soil quality

“…The BS, as an indicator of the cationic fertility status of soil (Chesworth, 2008), was significantly higher under agriculture and horticulture compared to forest, in response to manure and biomass ash amendments, liming, and chemical fertilization. Biomass ash from traditional slush-burn practices, lime, and unconventional sources of fertilization (Kpera et al, 2019) ) values in all soils were below the critical limits of a balanced soil. In contrast, a relative shortage of Ca, CEC, and BS in degraded soils was readily reflected in the lower Ca 2+ : (Mg 2+ + K + + Na + ) levels as an indicator of degraded and unbalanced soils.…”

“…To maintain soil productivity, chemical fertilizers and animal manures are applied to agronomic crops, homestead gardens, and other production areas (Sangare et al, 2012;Perrin et al, 2015). In recent years, the orchard growers (such as pineapples) in southern Benin have started to apply unconventional sources of nutrients and soil amendments, such as biosolids and greywater, to enhance SQ to support for economic crop production (Kpera et al, 2019). Evaluation of SQ is commonly performed using laboratory analysis of antecedent soil physical, chemical, and biological properties in response to management practices (Marzaioli et al, 2010;Aziz et al, 2013;Davari et al, 2020).…”