Table 1_Anthroponics: nutrients recovery from human urine and their reuse as fertiliser to grow spearmint (Mentha spicata L.).docx

Urine contains about 0.8–2 g/L of phosphorus (P) and about 3–7 g/L of nitrogen (N) which are excreted by humans in addition to other nutrients and is therefore a good resource for nutrient recovery. A total of thirty spearmint plants were employed in this study to check the effect of fertiliser type (Urval/U; Ca-Mg Grower/CM) and potting media (Vermiculite/V; Coco chips/C; Peat and Perlite/PP) on plant height, branching and biomass.

CMV consistently produced the greatest increase in plant height, indicating a more balanced nutrient supply. CMPP and CMC also enhanced plant height relative to UV, UC, and UPP. A similar pattern was observed for stalk production, with CMV generating the highest number of stalks, followed by CMPP and CMC, aligning closely with the observed height responses and reinforcing the better performance of the commercial fertiliser across multiple growth parameters.