1.1 Introduction
Cow dung, also known as cow pats, cow pies or cow manure, is the waste product of bovine animal species. Cow dung contains organic matter and fibrous material like cellulose, lignin and hemicelluloses that has passed through the cow's digestive system (Rajeswari et al. 2016; Munshi et al. 2018). Generally, cow dung is composed of about 80% water and supports a matrix of undigested plant material that is rich in nutrients, micro-organisms, and their byproducts (Sharma and Singh, 2015). Cow dung is a mixture of dung and urine, usually in the ratio of 3:1 that encompasses crude fibre, crude protein, cellulose, hemicelluloses and 24 types of minerals such as N, K, S, traces of P, Fe, Co, Mg, P, Cl, Mn, etc. (Nene 1999; Swain and Ray, 2009). Cow manure contains essential micro and macronutrients and considered as potential fertilizer for crop growth and it is an economic substitute for synthetic fertilizers (Kiyasudeen et al. 2015).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Wastes are everywhere. These substances are unpleasant to see and also bring harmful effects to our health and environment. Example of this waste is the manure of the animals like the cow.
Cow dung causes a problem when these are just leave behind the sidewalks streets or in an open field. If these substances decomposed in places like these , though the manure are gone but the micro organisms they carried still remain. And we should not treat these organisms as small issues because these can destroy our health especially when these are stick to our food, mixed with the water we drink, or touched by our bare feet and hands. The only way to stop these troubles is to decompose these wastes in a right process and could use it as fertilizer to plants. This research wants to know if this manure decomposed, if it’s could be a better fertilizer and brings a better effect on the growth of the plant (Carlo, 2007).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Determination, Organic Matter, Total Nitrogen and Elemental Content of Cow Dung.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the high dependency on fossil fuels as prime energy source has caused climate change, environmental pollution and degradation, hence leading to health problems in human (Aremu and Agarry, 2012). The return-to-renewables will help to lessen climate change is an excellent way but it requires to be sustainable in order to ensure a sustainable future and bequeath future generations to meet their energy needs (Owusu and Asumadu-Sarkodie 2016). Using the process of anaerobic digestion, gases are derived from a wide range of organic wastes such as biomass waste, human waste, animal waste and used as source of energy (Putri et al. 2012).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the elemental content of Cow Dung, its total nitrogen and organic matter. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To compare the values with other animal waste and recommending its use as manure.
- To evaluate the organic Matter, total nitrogen and elemental Content of Cow Dung
1.5 Significance of Study
This work will be significant to farmers because it will help those plants growers to know cow manure could be a better substitute on their usually used fertilizers.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
This study is limited only to the dung of cows. Urines and other parts of cow are not included in this research study. Other parameters to be considered are total nitrogen, organic matter and the macro minerals.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Analysis of Data
This raw data obtained in this work shall be analyzed using simple percentages, mean and standard deviation.
1.9 Definition of Related Terms
Cow: This is a large female animal kept on farms to produce milk or beef.
Cow Dung: Cow dung, also known as cow pats, cow pies or cow manure, is the waste product of bovine animal species.
Fertilizer: These are chemical substances added to the soil to bring about an increase in the yield of crops and consequently the farmer income.
Manure: Manure is organic matter, mostly derived from animal feces except in the case of green manure, which can be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture.
Minerals: These are naturally occurring inorganic substances with a definite and predictable chemical composition and physical properties
Element: This is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler components by any non – nuclear chemical reaction.
Animal Waste: Animal waste comes from livestock, poultry, and dairy production.
