Abstract: This study comparatively evaluated the nutrient composition of chicken manure and catfish effluent by determining their nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents, with the aim of assessing their relative potential as organic nutrient sources for sustainable crop production. Samples of chicken manure and catfish effluent were collected in triplicate from farms and ponds in Gobirawa, Zaria, Kaduna State, and analysed for NPK content using standard laboratory procedures. Data were summarised as mean ± standard deviation and compared using an independent-samples t-test at p < 0.05. Chicken manure consistently contained significantly higher concentrations of all three macronutrients than catfish effluent (nitrogen: t(4) = 83.56, p < 0.001; phosphorus: t(4) = 44.39, p < 0.001; potassium: t(4) = 42.90, p < 0.001). Mean nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of chicken manure were 2.80 ± 0.03%, 1.50 ± 0.03% and 1.10 ± 0.02%, respectively (total NPK = 5.40%), compared with 1.20 ± 0.02%, 0.65 ± 0.02% and 0.48 ± 0.02% for catfish effluent (total NPK = 2.33%). Within each source, nitrogen constituted the largest share of the nutrient pool (51.8% in chicken manure and 51.5% in catfish effluent), followed by phosphorus (27.8% and 27.9%) and potassium (20.4% and 20.6%). When considered as a combined pool, chicken manure accounted for approximately 70% of the total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, while catfish effluent contributed about 30%. The study concludes that although both by-products possess fertilizer value, chicken manure is a significantly richer source of NPK and is more suitable where rapid nutrient supplementation is required, while catfish effluent remains a useful organic amendment that can complement chicken manure in integrated nutrient management systems.
Keywords: chicken manure; catfish effluent; organic fertilizer; NPK; nutrient recycling; sustainable agriculture; independent t-test.
Title: Comparative Nutrient (NPK) Analysis of Chicken Manure and Catfish Effluent as Organic Fertilizer Sources
Author: Rabi'u Idris Abdurra'uf, Usman Muhammad Kurmi, Jabir Abdullahi, Sakina Musa Tanimu, Aisha Abubakar
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
Vol. 14, Issue 3, July 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 95-100
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 08-August-2026
