Thread: Looking for powerfull organic fertilizer ?

A friend on his permaculture project in Africa for few years now told me he has great success with this MEXICAN SUNFLOWER.

Tithonia_diversifolia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithonia_diversifolia

Marigold grows in Thailand already, so your point is what, it's good for soil, so is corn and many other plants.

Mexican sunflowers are grown in Mae Hong Son. I don't know if it is done to regenerate the soil or to attract tourists, but they have grown them for years and years.

Found this

Mexican sunflower ( Tithonia diversfolia)

Preparation of Mexican sunflower (Tithonia diversfolia) liquid manure:

The liquid manure will be prepared by fermenting the tithonia diversfolia in water for 4-6 days. Three (3) kgs of fresh tithonia diversfolia, will be fermented in 50 litres of water for a period of 4 days (Musyimi et al. 2012) and then the solid biomass will be discarded while the water will be used during planting.


It is an annual aggressive weed growing to a height of 2.5m and is well adapted to most soils though it originated from Mexico.
In Kenya it is used on a wide variety of purposes that include fodder, compost, land demarcation and ornamental purposes.

It is known to accumulate huge amounts of biomass over a short period of time that is 2.0 to 3.9 t dry matter ha–1 for eight-month-old pure stands(King’ara 1998). This biomass has relatively high nutrient concentrations that is N (3.5%), P(0.37) and K(4.1%) hence has a great potential as an organic fertilizer. Research work in Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe has reported it as a major nutrient source in maize and rice farming. (Gachenco et al.1999).

Research work by Olabode et al., (2000) concluded that Mexican sunflower with its high nutrient status is a potential soil improver for productivity and recommended it as a green manure or as a major component of compost manure.

Parts taken from a PPT found on net, but me friend is Agronomist, will ask him how he prepares the stuff and how he use it...

There are many plants that are useful for farmers other than crops. As a part solution weeds are often used to attract pollinators, providing growth hormones, pesticides and even as sacrificial food sources for pests. As green manure or incorporated into compost they can provide mulch as well as nutrients.
There are limits such as land used and labour costs involved that need to be considered. Nothing for nothing I'm afraid.

Lupins are grown in some places between cash crops as a fertiliser they are plowed in before reaching the seeding stage.

They are a legume so add nitrogen into the soil as well as the green matter improving soil structure :
Legumes can Reduce Need for Nitrogen Fertilizer