Fertility Evaluation and Manurial Effect of Organic Manure Produced from Degradable Solid Waste by Rapid Conversion Technology Leno Naveen*, Sudharmaidevi C.R., Meera A.V. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani *Email: nlenof@gmail.com
Online published on 2 January, 2017. Abstract Solid waste management still remains a perpetual problem posing environmental and human hazards. The Kerala Agricultural University has developed a novel rapid conversion technology for the quick conversion of degradable solid waste to value added organic manure. The aim of the present study is the physico-chemical characterization of the fortified manure produced by rapid conversion technology (FMRCT) and to study the manurial value of the fortified organic manure as compared to two conventional organic manures on plant growth and yield using oriental pickling melon (Cucumis melo var. conomon) as the test crop. FMRCT was found to contain almost all major, secondary and micronutrients essential for plant growth. Heavy metal content was well below toxic levels. Germination Index of >80% revealed the non phytotoxic nature of the manure. FMRCT @ 3.3 t ha−1 was compared with poultry manure @ 6.7 t ha−1 and farm yard manure @ 10 t ha−1. The effect of FMRCT was found to be superior with regard to vine length, shorter internodal length, fruits per plant, fruit polar and equatorial diameter, fruit weight, fruit volume, flesh thickness, 100 seed weight and fruit yield. Plant nutrient studies showed high accumulation of N, P, K, Mg and B. Top Keywords solid waste, rapid technology, fortified organic manure, characterization, melon. Top |