What is CMB?
The CMB is the camel manure ball. They are made in different designs and sizes. They are amazing and rich sources of microorganisms, nutrients (NPK), and moisture for the germination of seeds.
What are the ecological functions of CMB?
The CMB is Mother Earth’s gift that comes from camels. It is a package of seeds containing nutrient-rich components that harbor a wide variety of microorganisms (diverse microbiomes) that enrich the soil and nurture the seed during and after germination for at least 3 months.
How does CMB disperse the seeds?
The CMB features a distinctive design and shape. It has up to 37% moisture when fresh. The CMB gets dry in a few days but still sustains some moisture inside the ball to help in the germination and sustenance of the seed.
What type of seeds are spread
The CMB travels great distances, rolling and blowing in the desert with powerful strong winds. Almost all types of seeds (of the plants found in the ecosystem) are hidden in the CMB.
The seeds of plants found in the desert typically have hairs and wings that allow them to fly, but other species, such as Acacia, Prosopis, Zizyphus, etc, have rounder, heavier seeds that are unable to fly and blow with the winds easily. interestingly the trees of such seeds are highly desirable to camels.
The CMB then disperses these seeds since it is lighter and made to roll or fly with the wind more easily. If the camels are kept at an appropriate density, the camel can be a tool in seed dispersal, and soil enrichment.
In conclusion, camel manure (CMB) is an untapped precious resource which is not been properly utilized so far. The visionary and innovative opinion in Gulf countries, especially the UAE can bring silver sliding into the clouds and may find ways to use this precious resource for the agricultural development and nature conservation of the region. Also, the research institutes of the region should come forward to chalk out projects on the exploring true worth of camel dung. For more reading, please click the link. https://arkbiodiv.com/2016/02/02/camels-dungzfrom-waste-to-a-worthwhile-farming-agent
