Ecosan: urine fertiliser yields bigger cabbages in Finland

Researchers from Finland report that urine treatment yielded cabbages that were bigger than those treated with industrial fertiliser or those treated without any fertiliser [1]. Urine collected from one person over a year could fertilise a 90-square-meter plot, yielding more than 160 cabbages. These cabbages weigh 64 kg more than those treated with industrial fertiliser and 256 kg more than an unfertilised crop. Insect damage was lower in urine-fertilized than in industrial-fertilised plots but more extensive than in non-fertilised plots.

Microbiological quality of urine-fertilised cabbage and sauerkraut made from the cabbage was similar to that in the other fertilised cabbages. Sauerkraut made from cabbages cultivated in the three ways had slightly different flavours, according to taste panelists, but were equally well liked. The results show that human urine can be used as a fertiliser for cabbage and does not pose any significant hygienic threats or leave any distinctive flavour in food products.

An earlier study showed that cucumbers also benefit from the use of urine over conventional fertiliser [2].

[1] Pradhan, S.K. … [et al.] (2007). Use of human urine fertilizer in cultivation of cabbage (Brassica oleracea) : impacts on chemical, microbial, and flavor quality. Journal Journal of agricultural and food chemistry ; vol. 55, no. 21 ; p. 8657-8663. doi:10.1021/jf0717891

[2] Heinonen-Tanski, H. … [et al]. (2007). Pure human urine is a good fertiliser for cucumbers. Bioresource technology ; vol. 98, no. 1 ; p. 214-217. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2005.11.024

Contact: Dept. of Environmental Science, University of Kuopio, Finland - Mr. Surendra K. Pradhan, research assistant, Surendra.Pradhan@uku.fi ; Dr Helvi Heinonen-Tanski, Senior Lecturer, Helvi.HeinonenTanski@uku.fi

Source: Janet Raloff, Science News Online, 22 Sep 2007

Keywords

• Sanitation - On-site sanitation
• Water and livelihoods
• Water resources management