Chapter 7

Manure as a source of nutrients

In spite of a large production of manure from the livestock sector in Argentina, the use of manure is restricted (Table 13). Since livestock production is largely extensive, the concentration of excreta is restricted to cattle in corrals, often located long distances from the centers of consumption.

A substantial proportion of horticultural crops and to a lesser extent fruit crops use manure, mainly cattle and poultry manure, in varying quantities depending on the area and availability. In regions with intensive poultry production, in the northern and littoral Pampa subregion, there is a limited use on cereals.

The quantity of nutrients applied in manure is very low compared with that in mineral fertilizers.

SENASA, a state control and registration body for agricultural inputs, has registered some dozen products based on humus produced by earthworms and others of animal origin. These permit the production of agricultural products with organic certification, but the area is very small.

TABLE 13
Estimated consumption of manure in horticultural fruit production