PHYTOTOXICITY OF FATTY-ACIDS PRESENT IN DAIRY AND HOG MANURE

The application of animal waste on farm land is currently considered a s a safe method to dispose the excreta from farm animals because it pr ovides an easy outlet to alleviate envaronmental danger associated wit h animal excreta. In most published studies, animal waste is viewed as a good source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). Little att ention has been given to minor chemical compounds present in the conte nts of animal wastes. Some classes of compounds which are suspected to be phytotoxic have been reported to be present in animal waste. Ident ification and mode of action of such compounds present in animal waste is important because agricultural practices which are considered as e nvironmentally safe today may become a hazard to agricultural crops in the future. Fatty acids are known for germination inhibiting activity . The objectives of this study were to identify fatty acids present in dairy and hog manures and to investigate their biological effects on germination of sorghum seeds. Six fatty acids were the subject of this study. All six fatty acids were found in the content of dairy and hog manures. The rate of germination of sorghum seeds was significantly r educed with exposure to all six fatty acid. Long chain fatty acids wer e more toxic than short chain acids. Similar patterns of action were o bserved in the alpha-amylase activity and physiological water uptake.