***Hi Steemians!*** Good day and welcome to my blog. Today is another opportunity to write again on an important finding — the use of urine mixed with wood ash as an alternative fertilizer for your gardens!
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 ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/u3zprn2bgr.jpg)
[*credit*](*https://media.mercola.com/ImageServer/Public/2014/March/flushing-toilet-fb.jpg*)
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Sounds great, right? I know some of you might be in doubt as to why this is possible. This is chiefly why Steemit social platform is significant in the world of continuous education and discovery of new research frontiers, thanks to @ned. To show you the 'how' and the 'why' is exactly the essence of this article.
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A study carried out in Finland by Pradhan and Heinonen-Tanski of the University of Kuopio, found that plants that were treated with urine performed as well as traditional mineral fertilizer and four times as well as nonfertilized plants. When wood ash is added to the urine solution and the mixture used to fertilize plants, the performance is the same as when only urine is used, but with the added benefit of reducing soil acidity.

It was also discovered that the protein content of the urine fertilized plants is higher by 35 to 37% when compared to mineral fertilized counterparts. Again, 20 taste testers that were employed by the studystudy's team found no difference in taste between mineral and urine fertilized plants.
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The success of using urine-ash solution as fertilizer could have a profound positive impact on worldwide hunger and organic farming. In most developing countries, the cost of producing both chemical and organic fertilizers are exorbitantly high. So using locally collected urine which will perform as much as chemical fertilizers in terms of crop yields, is highly recommended.
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 ![image](https://img.esteem.ws/yg9xdansxc.jpg)
*Nonfertilized corn plant and urine fertilized corn plant*
 [*credit*](*http://theprepperproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Growing-Corn-With-And-Without-Urine-Comparison.jpg*) 
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Urine contains high proportion of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus which together are the macronutrients plants need for growth and development. These nutrients are also the main component of chemical fertilizer. So looking at it on the basis of chemical composition, there is no difference between urine and chemical fertilizers.
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According to Heinonen-Tanski...

>Unlike faeces, which can carry bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, urine poses no health risks. It is practically sterile when it leaves the body. [Source](*https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/human-urine-is-an-effective-fertilizer/*)
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# **Urine types to use**
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* Only the urine of healthy individuals having no trace of urinary tract infections should be used as fertilizer.

* Avoid the urine of those taking antibiotics or who are generally on medications.

* Those who consume a lot of salts should minimize the level of salt intake before their urine can be used as fertilizer.

* After collecting the urine, ensure it is stored in an air tight container, otherwise its nitrogen will be lost in the form of smelly ammonia gas.
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# **General rules for preparation and application of urine fertilizer**
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* For most plants, dilute the urine by adding 3 parts of water to one part of urine and use.

* For very young or delicate plants, dilution should be done using 10: 1 ratio before using.

* Reduce the volume of urine and increase the volume of water in the solution, if plants start to yellow.

* Apply the urine fertilizer around plant base and water it after application to drive in the nutrients.

* Don't apply urine fertilizer until plant is two weeks old and stop applying the fertilizer two weeks prior to harvest.
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https://youtu.be/Fp1dxOmBD00
[*Video credit*](*Google.com*)
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# **Names of plants that do well on application of urine fertilizer** 

Plants that will do well when subjected to urine fertilizer treatment include Tomatoes, Bananas, Citrus, wheat, Alfalfa, Pineapple, Melons, Garlic, Leafy greens, Cabbage, Corn, Celery, Eggplant, Sorghum, Millet, Barley, Grapes, Squash, Spinach, Radishes, Potatoes, Peppers, Onions, Parsley, Cucumber, Basil and Carrots.
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# **Conclusions** 

We live in the world of ever unending innovations. There are innovations at almost all facets of human development and vocations. So discovering urine as a worthy substitute for chemical fertilizers should not be that surprising to someone who understands how fast the world can change. 

With its numerous benefits in the face of scarcity of chemical fertilizers, agricultural and health organizations as well as relevant governmental agencies should therefore encourage people to use human urine as an alternative fertilizer.
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I deeply believe this article is enriching and educative. Thanking you for reading. 
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Do kindly UPVOTE and RESTEEM for more public awareness. 
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Yours Naija Boi, 
@eurogee
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# **References for further reading**
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https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/human-urine-is-an-effective-fertilizer/


https://www.niftyhomestead.com/blog/human-urine-fertilizer/


https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/feeding-plants-with-urine.htm
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