Improved methods of FYM preparation

A. Manure pit with no turning

1. This method is good for 3-4 cows or oxen. The steps for preparation involve:
2. Dig a pit 5m long, 3m wide and 1m deep near the livestock shed on a well-drained place.
3. Divide the pit into two equal parts and fill the first half of the pit daily with well mixed dung and beddings-soaked heap with cow dung-earth slurry.
4. Fill the second half of the pit in the same manner.
5. When the second halves of the pit is full or after 5-6 months remove the rotted manure from the first half of the pit and refill.

This method is satisfactory but takes longer time (5-6 months) to produce well decomposed good quality manure.

B. One month’s turning method

This is the much quicker method of making good quality manure. The size of the pits should be made according to the number of materials available. Three month’s period of decomposition will produce good quality manure.

Steps:

1. Dig a series of three pits with a small wall (50-60 cm) between each pit so that the materials can be moved from one pit to the other. {Size of individual pit may be 2m×2m×1m}.
2. Fill the first pit with manure until about 50 cm or more above the ground surface. Plaster the heap.
3. After one month turn the material into the second pit and refill the first pit and plaster both pits.
4. After another month, turn the material from the second pit into the third pit, from the first pit into the second pit and refill the first pit and plaster all pits.

5. After another month the material from third pit can be removed and applied to the land and the other pits filled and plastered.

While turning, if the manure is dry water should be added to keep it rotting properly. The rotted manure must be removed from the pits even though it is not immediately needed on the land. The removed manure should be heaped and protected by a thick layer of cow-dung mud plaster. Likewise, when manure is carried onto the land it should be spread uniformly and plowed into the soil immediately.

Table: Major Nutrients in manure

• The table shows that the manure prepared by improved method contains significantly higher amounts of N, P2O5, and K2O.
• Chemical preservatives are added to the FYM to decrease N losses. The preservatives are
• applied in the cattle shed to permit direct contact with the liquid portion of excreta or urine.
• The most common preservatives are :(a) gypsum (b) super phosphate etc.
• It is recommended that about 1Kg superphosphate should be applied per day per animal in the cattle shed. Super phosphate should be applied in place when animals pass urine.