The use of cow dung as fertilizer is not new for rural people who have livelihoods as farmers. However, for people living in urban areas, the use of cow dung as a fertilizer is still strange. For some people who are unfamiliar, cow dung may be very disgusting because it has an unpleasant aroma. However, the use of cow dung as a fertilizer is cow dung that has dried and has a relatively stinging smell. The use of cow dung as fertilizer plants almost no side effects at all. Precisely the use of cow dung as fertilizer is recommended because cow dung is free of chemicals that can damage the balance of nature.
Nutrient Ingredients in Cow Manure
As mentioned earlier, the use of cow dung as fertilizer is highly recommended because cow dung will not damage the soil construction. Cow dung is a waste of cattle that has high nutrient content and is useful for the development of plants. Cow manure contains very high fiber, including high cellulose content. Fiber content will increase when cow dung mixed with cow urine. However, the use of fresh cow dung is not recommended because it has not undergone a fermentation process.
To use cow dung as a crop manure, cow dung must first be allowed to dry (fermented) or in the Javanese language often referred to as cold cow dung. The use of cow dung that is new to the plant will cause the plants to die.
Cow manure can be categorized as compost. One cow can produce a compost of 23.6 kg per day. The content of nutrients in cow dung is beneficial to nourish the plants so that plant growth will be more optimal. Cow manure contains nutrients in the form of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).