African Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0786
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJEST
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 1128

Full Length Research Paper

Comparison of plant nutrient levels between compost from Sky loo and Fossa alterna toilets

I. B. M. Kosamu
  • I. B. M. Kosamu
  • Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, The Polytechnic, University of Malawi, Private Bag 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
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D. Mlelemba
  • D. Mlelemba
  • Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, The Polytechnic, University of Malawi, Private Bag 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
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H. W. T. Mapoma
  • H. W. T. Mapoma
  • Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, The Polytechnic, University of Malawi, Private Bag 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
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P. Masache
  • P. Masache
  • Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, The Polytechnic, University of Malawi, Private Bag 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
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C. C. Kaonga
  • C. C. Kaonga
  • Department of Physics and Biochemical Sciences, The Polytechnic, University of Malawi, Private Bag 303, Blantyre 3, Malawi.
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K. Harawa
  • K. Harawa
  • Water for People, P.O. Box 1207, Blantyre, Malawi.
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  •  Accepted: 01 February 2014
  •  Published: 28 February 2014

Abstract

Recent scholars have highlighted the benefit of harvesting compost from eco-san toilets for application as plant nutrients. However, levels of nutrients in eco-san compost may vary depending on the type of toilet and also the type of top soil in a particular geographical region. This study compared levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium and sodium between compost from Sky loo and Fossa alterna toilets. Samples were collected from Zimora and Ng’ombe villages in Chikhwawa district, southern Malawi. Statistical analysis using SPSS showed significantly higher levels of nitrogen, calcium and moisture in compost from Fossa alterna toilets than in Sky loo (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the levels of potassium in the two types of eco-san compost studied.  This study has revealed that compost from Fossa alterna is generally a richer source of plant nutrients than that from Sky loo thereby presenting poor, local communities in sub-Saharan Africa with a cheaper alternative to commercial fertilizer.

Key words: Eco-san toilets, compost, Malawi, plant nutrients, soil quality.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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