Use of compost supplemented human urine in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production

Human urine, rich in plant nutrients, is a readily available fertilizer but limited information is available about the best use of human urine in crop production. A field experiment was carried out in Kathmandu, Nepal during the year 2011 to evaluate the fertilizer value of human urine in different combination and compare the value with compost, urea and their combinations based on plant performance. The experiment was laid out in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisting of eight treatments with three replications. Each treatment was fixed to a supply of 100 kg N ha−1. California Wonder, a popular open pollinated sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) variety was selected as an experimental crop. The highest plant height (54.7 cm), number of fruits per plant (9.1), and fruit yield per plant (553.9 g plant−1) were recorded with the plants fertilized with human urine in combination with compost. Human urine supplemented with 50 kg PK ha−1 gave highest fruit weight (67.2 g) and fruit diameter (5.5 cm). Plants fertilized with the combination of human urine and compost showed better growth and yield compared to the application of fertilizer sources alone. The results indicated that the human urine performs better when used in combination with compost, and can be used as a promising fertilizer source in sweet pepper production.

► We evaluated the fertilizer value of human urine on sweet pepper production. ► Fruit weight was higher with human urine supplemented with 50 kg PK ha−1. ► Combination of human urine and compost showed better growth and yield.