Rabbit manure- its use as an organic manure:
Rabbit manure is odourless, dry, and comes in pellet form. As such, it is ideal for use in the garden. Rabbit manure breaks down fast, there is a minimum threat to burning the plants’ roots. It has four times more nutrients compared with that of horse or cow manure. It is also twice as healthy as chicken manure. Horse, cow, and chicken manure are identified as “hot.” As such, they need to really well-rotted during composting in order to be used effectively as fertilizers.
It does not need to be composted, though composting it is still possible for mass production.
Rabbit manure contains a number of beneficial trace elements. This includes magnesium, calcium, zinc, boron, sulphur, manganese, copper, sulphur, and cobalt, among several others.
It is also packed with micronutrients, minerals, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
Its uses in organic gardening:
It is thoroughly mixed with soil while preparing the bed for sowing or transplanting.
As it breaks down very quickly into the soil, it enhances the aeration in the soil.
It can be used for culturing Trichoderma more quickly compared to cow and other cattle manure.
It is loaded with essential plant nutrients hence, its direct application (without composting) at various stages of plant growth results in a good yield compared to other manures.
It is a good source of food materials for earth worms present in the soil hence earth casting can be easily noticed when fed with rabbit manure.
Vermicomposting with rabbit manure has given good results in the quality of manure produced.
It is a good source for composting/compost bins as it is loaded with many microbes which help in quick composting of the materials.
Rabbit manure has a good ability to convert any type of infertile soil into a good fertile soil.
Root zone application of wet rabbit manure also acts a mulch during hot summers.
Rabbit manure fermented with rice starch or any natural starches and water act as a nutrient media for growth of many beneficial fungus and the prepared mixture can be used as a basal application to the plants at different growth stages to maintain microbial activity in the soil.
Rabbit urine- its use as an organic pesticide and pest repellent:
Rabbit urine contains the highest level of Nitrogen compared to other farm animals; this is because rabbits barely drink water.
The Phosphorus and Potassium contents in rabbit urine are of appreciable level good enough to eliminate deficiencies of these nutrients in the soil, hence, it enhances the even growth of crops in an organic farm.
As it is in concentrated form, it easily kills aphids , thrips , mealy bugs and mostly leaf eating caterpillars very efficiently.
It also acts as a insect repellent when diluted and sprayed.
Its uses in organic gardening:
Its uses in organic gardening:
- It effectively repels the most commonly occurring pest in organic vegetable gardens.
- If the infestation is above the threshold level it is suggested to ferment 250 ml of rabbit urine + 300ml curd/buttermilk for a week and then use 5ml per litre water depending on the rate of infestation.
rabbit urine in diluted form also can be used to eradicate pest infestation on the plants.
- We have to note that overdose may result in yellowing of leaves or dropping of leaves but it’s okay ,at this stage, just add manure so that plant gains its strength to produce new leaves again.
- It is also acts as a weedicide on broad leaf weeds.
- Soil drenching with rabbit urine before planting helps in killing soil borne pests .
- When the urine is aged for many days the more concentrated and effective it will become in eradicating pests.
- We should also note that it has to used only if there is presence of harmful pest on the plants. unnecessary spray of this solution may repel natural beneficial insects and pest.
- It also acts as a good bio decomposer when mixed and fermented with molasses.
- It can be stored up to an year thus it has a long self life if stored in sterilised containers.
Info prepared by:
CH. Godha devi
Ag.Bsc ,pg.dip(sustainable agriculture)