Determination of Essential Minerals in Manures of Selected Domestic Animals in Karatina and Their Effects on Soil and Plants

Abstract

Calcium and Magnesium are part of the macro-nutrients required by plants from the soil for growth and development, they are also necessary for soil health to keep crops healthy. Calcium is needed in plants for the formation of new cells, roots, stems, and leaves. For the soil, calcium plays an important role in ensuring the Pretention capacity of water and nutrients. Magnesium is an important component of photosynthesis in plants and is found in chlorophyll which,the green pigment. The study investigated and compared the presence of calcium and magnesium levels in manures of several animals from different households around the Kagochi area. The samples collected were dried, blended and acid digested. AAS, A-A-700,0 (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy) was used to analyze the manure samples. The data provided was presented in tables and graphs comparing the manures from both households. The mean levels of calcium and magnesium for both households one and two were found to be Ca 27.99 mg/L and Mg 6.23mg/L for household 1 and Ca 27.26 mg/L and Mg 6.32 mg/L for household 2. A strong correlation was found between manures in household one and those of household two in their calcium and magnesium concentrations. The manures were found to contribute  a significant rise in soil pH. The information from the study will form a basis for manure’s importance and application for small-scale and large-scale crop growers and bring more value to manures as a source of plant and soil nutrients.

Keywords: Manure, Calcium, Magnesium, Nutrients, PH, Fertilizer.

DOI: 10.7176/CMR/15-1-03

Publication date:May 31^st 2023