Use of Human Urine Fertilizer in Cultivation of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)––Impacts on Chemical, Microbial, and Flavor Quality

Abstract

Human urine was used as a fertilizer in cabbage cultivation and compared with industrial fertilizer and nonfertilizer treatments. Urine achieved equal fertilizer value to industrial fertilizer when both were used at a dose of 180 kg N/ha. Growth, biomass, and levels of chloride were slightly higher in urine-fertilized cabbage than with industrial-fertilized cabbage but clearly differed from nonfertilized. Insect damage was lower in urine-fertilized than in industrial-fertilized plots but more extensive than in nonfertilized plots. Microbiological quality of urine-fertilized cabbage and sauerkraut made from the cabbage was similar to that in the other fertilized cabbages. Furthermore, the level of glucosinolates and the taste of sauerkrauts were similar in cabbages from all three fertilization treatments. Our results show that human urine could be used as a fertilizer for cabbage and does not pose any significant hygienic threats or leave any distinctive flavor in food products.

Fertilizer value of urine in pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) cultivation

“…Initial growth rate of pumpkin plants in mineral fertilized plots was higher than urine fertilized plots, but later the growth rate was better in urine fertilized plots as has been found in previous studies with cabbage and cucumber cultivation (Pradhan et al 2007 andHeinonen-Tanski et al 2007). One possible explanation for high initial growth in mineral fertilized pumpkins might be that it has an optimal NO 3 --N content (3% NO 3 --N) and NO 3 --N is the preferred uptake compound of N for Cucurbita pepo (Chance et al 1999).…”

“…readily plant available (Lentner 1981, Kirchmann andPettersson 1995). In scientific studies in Finland, urine has been successfully used to fertilize cucumber and cabbage (Pradhan et al 2007). The growth and yields were as good as could be obtained with mineral fertilization.…”

Producción de plántulas de chile jalapeño fertilizadas con orina

“…Sin embargo la aplicación de orina diluida a una CE de 1 dS m -1 causo los mismos efectos en todos los parámetros de crecimiento que la solución Steiner. La orina ha sido recientemente evaluada como un fertilizante alternativo Pradhan et al, 2007;Mnkeni et al, 2008); sin embargo, su aplicación directa ha causado efectos negativos en plantas y suelo atribuidos a la alta salinidad de este residuo (Beler-Baykal y Bayram, 2007;Beler-Baykal et al, 2011), lo cual indica que es requerido diluir la orina previamente a su aplicación como fuente nutritiva orgánica en sistemas productivos agrícolas.…”

“…However, the application of diluted urine at EC of 1 dS m -1 caused the same effects in all growth parameters than Steiner solution. Urine has recently been evaluated as an alternative fertilizer Pradhan et al, 2007;Mnkeni et al, 2008); however, direct application has caused negative effects on plants and soil, attributed to the high salinity of this residue (Beler-Baykal and Bayram, 2007;Beler-Baykal et al, 2011), indicating that is required to dilute urine prior to their use as organic nutrient source in agricultural production systems.…”

Major Sulphur Compounds in Plants and their Role in Human Nutrition and Health - An overview

“…He also reported that the content of glubrassicin was much more than sinigrin. Pradhan et al (2007) reported that cabbage grown with human urine had as much GSLs as obtained with inorganic fertilizers; total GSLs were about 3.07 to 3.69 µmoles g -1 DM.…”