Evaluation of pig dung value addition using indigenous micro-organisms as an approach for sustainable horticulture in Kampala-Central Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the best approach to value addition of pig dung using Indigenous Micro-Organisms technology as a principle for sustainable horticulture in Kampala. Three different foodstuffs namely rice, maize flour and cassava, were used as substrates to pool and create three concentrates of micro-organisms indigenous to the soil in the study area. Microbial analysis was carried out to determine the colony formation unit of bacteria existing within the Indigenous Micro Organism concentrates. These concentrates generated from rice, maize flour and cassava were further used to make liquids. Three groups each containing 9 large white-landrace cross pigs, divided in triplicates of three, were raised under deep litter system. The three groups were raised using litter onto which Indigenous Micro-Organisms liquid generated from the three substrates was sprinkled and churned daily, for a period of two months. Mineral content analysis was done on the resultant manure from the pig housing units. Spinach seedlings of the Malabar variety were then grown using the pig manure from each of the groups. Data on the resultant spinach yield (biomass weight and stalk thickness) was collected to determine the effect of mineral content of different manure, on the spinach’s yield. One-way ANOVA and Post HOC analyses were carried out using R, version 3.6.1 to analyse data collected. A total of ten bacteria species were identified with Bacillus coagulens found in all the three concentrates and Bacillus patotenticus and Lactobacillus spp found in two of the three concentrates. The study revealed microbial species variation among Indigenous Micro-Organisms concentrates derived from the substrates but with no greater concentration of Bacillus Coagulens species, which existed in all the three IMO concentrates. No manure generated using Indigenous Micro-Organisms liquid derived from the substrates, had a greater concentration of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. A larger spinach yield (p <0.001) was obtained using manure derived from the concentrate made using maize flour, producing a mean biomass of 185.8g ± 22.27. Considering the yield of spinach recorded, this study recommends the use of maize flour as a substrate for IMO liquid preparation and manure generation using pig dung in piggery deep litter systems.