[01] Christian Shingiro, Departement of Irrigation and Drainage, University of Rwanda, Nyagatare, Rwanda. [02] Guillaume Nyagatare, Departement of Irrigation and Drainage, University of Rwanda, Nyagatare, Rwanda. [03] Hubert Hirwa, Department of Environmental Economics and Natural Resources Management, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK), Kigali, Rwanda. [04] Uwingabire Solange, Department of Soil and Geological Science, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.

Human urine fraction contains the major plants nutrients, with 80% of the Nitrogen (N), 55% of the Phosphorus (P) and 60% of the Potassium (K). Thus, urine has a potential to be reused in agriculture as a liquid fertilizer in order to reduce industrial fertilizer use which are expensive for most of the low income farmers. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of human urine on different crops. The experimental design consisted of three different crops: maize, beans and cabbages. Maize were planted in plastic pots, cabbages in sacs and beans in open field, all in a randomized complete block design within five treatments and three replications. Treatment 1: urine at 1:3 ratio (1L of urine in 3L of water); treatment2: urine at 1:5 ratio (1L of urine in 5L of water); treatment 3: urine at 1:3+TC (1L of urine, 1kg of compost and 3L of water); treatment 4: urine at 1:5+TC (1L of urine, 1kg of compost and 5L of water) and treatment 5: control (tap water). Results showed that the number of leaves, plant height, plant leaves diameter, total plant weight and total grain weight were statistical significant different between treatments. Soil amended with U1:3+TC and U1:5+TC resulted in yield approximately twice higher than the control followed by U1:3 and U1:5. The increase in yield was due increased plant nutrients from human urine and the supplemental effect of tea compost to increase organic matter content, water holding capacity, plant diseases control. From this result it was concluded that the human urine with or without tea compost is effective to increase maize, beans and cabbages yield, however its application should be accompanied by soil salinity management techniques for its sustainable use.

Tea Compost, Human Urine, Dilution Ratio, Beans, Maize, Cabbages

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