GUANO - AS FERTILIZER

GUANO is a substance composed chiefly of the dung of sea birds or bats, accumulated along certain coastal areas or in caves and used as fertilizer. Guano also defined as any of various similar substances, such as a fertilizer prepared from ground fish parts. History shows that guano is the most distinguished natural fertilizer known to mankind. The Inca civilization of South America used guano so extensively that the penalty for harming the animals that produced it was death. It has been used effectively in agriculture for hundreds of years. Pound for pound, barn yard manure or commercial fertilizer do not compare to guano for balanced plant food nutrients. Guano has the nitrogen for green growth. Phosphorus for roots and flowering. And the potassium for strong stems. Besides these three major nutrients, guano contains all the minor and trace elements for plants overall health. There are no fillers in guano. Everything in guano, even beneficial microbes, are useful and necessary for the soil, the roots and foliage of plant life. This article in "Anim Agro Technology" I would like to share the uniqueness of guano fertilizer for agriculture use. 
  

Guano

In Malaysia, we can say that bat guano is natures most highly refined organic fertilizer. Guano are able to start out as plant life. Normally in our ecosystem the insects eat from the plants then fly into the air and are eaten by the bats. The bat droppings fall to the cave floor and other significant habitat. Then the millions of guano beetle attacked the bat droppings and use it as their food so as the specific ants. And while the beetles are feeding on the bat droppings, billions of beneficial, decomposing microbes are also attacking and feeding on the bat droppings. The guano you purchase to fertilizer your plants is really no longer bat poop but a highly refined, nontoxic, not bad smelling fine powder, processed by nature into her choicest plant food. The processing by the beetles and decomposing microbes rendered the bat guano free of toxins and dangerous pathogens to humans other then opportunistic pathogens that are normally found everywhere in dust. Bat guano is an excellent inoculant to activate compost piles.

 

The nutrient content for guano fertilizer are Nitrogen (N), Phosforus (P) and Kalium (K) or NPK will average 10:3:1 but will very throughout the cave with the freshest being highest in nitrogen and the oldest being higher in non-volatile minerals especially phosphorus. Bat guano can be safely used in-doors as well as outside. Use on vegetables, herbs, flowers, all ornamentals, fruit and nut trees. Hydroponic growers have also used guano successfully by metering out small amounts into their solution. Guano is also an excellent inoculant to activate compost piles. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons per 6 inch of pot diameter. May repeat in 4 to 6 weeks. In the flower or vegetable garden use 1 to 3 quarts per 100 sq. ft. or 100 ft. of row. However, guano is a slow release fertilizer and will not burn even if used double the recommended amount. But,it is always better to use smaller amounts more often than large amounts less often especially in sandy soils. Homeowners have reported using guano one time on the lawn and could still see the good effects three and four years later.

 

Where the soil is bare and in pots, work it in shallow being careful not to damage roots (See photo right). Indoor slow growing plants or plants in low light require 1/4 to 1/2 less fertilizer than fast growing plants. Bat guano can be used year around in any soil. It helps bind loose soil and mellow up tight soils. It will even help control soil-borne diseases. Growing plants is more of an art than a science. It is the art most practiced in the whole world. Gardening is the only hobby that you can have your cake and eat it too. Using nature's finest fertilizer enhances the art and makes the hobby more enjoyable, fascinating and productive. Home gardening are preferred to use organic fertilizer for food safety, free from chemicals and fresh for consumption Leafy vegetables, Herbs and few selected crop we are able to can grow. Thanks.
 

At Gua Niah Sarawak with students.

GUANO FERTILZER... FROM BATS DUNG...
NPK CONTENT ... AS ORGANIC FERTILIZER....
PREMIUM MARKET ... BEST PRICE OFFER...
FOR COLLECTION... PERMIT REQUIRED...

 

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist,

Aras 10, Putrajaya,

Malaysia. 

(28 Syawal 1434H).