The decomposition of farm wastes through microorganisms

Introduction

India possesses significant potential in terms of both agricultural and industrial waste utilization. The primary agricultural sources include animal and human excreta, crop residues, tree litter, aquatic vegetation, green manures, waste from urban and rural areas, and tank silt. With the advent of high-yielding crop varieties and the adoption of intensive farming practices, large volumes of agricultural residues such as straw, leaves, twigs, stubble, and an abundance of grasses and weeds are readily accessible on farmlands. The burning of crop residues has offered a temporary solution for clearing agricultural fields; however, it has had severe long-term consequences, including the degradation of soil health, a decline in soil fertility, shortages of key nutrients (such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), reduced crop productivity and yield, and an increase in land becoming unsuitable for cultivation. Earlier research has highlighted the negative impacts of crop residue burning, particularly its contribution to air pollution through the release of harmful and toxic gases (Gadde et al., 2009; Sahu et al., 2015; Andini et al., 2018) [14,4] .

Materials and Methods

During the present investigation, experiments were carried out on "Decomposition of Farm Wastes Through Microorganisms'' Materials used and methods adopted are described in this chapter. The present investigation was carried out during 2024-25 at Plant Pathology Section, College of Agriculture, Nagpur. The experiment was undertaken in CRD (Completely Randomized Design) with treatments and three replications and FCRD (Factorial Completely Randomized Design) with treatments and three replications. In this experiment carried out in polythene bag. Farm wastes materials taken in ratio i.e. main treatments Aw 1 -Paddy straw+ soybean straw (1:1), Aw 2 -Paddy straw+ soybean straw (2:1), Aw 3 -Wheat straw+ soybean straw (1:1), Aw 4 -Wheat straw+ soybean straw (2:1), Aw 5 -Paddy straw+ Tur straw (1:1), Aw 6 -Paddy straw+ Tur straw (2:1), Aw 7 -Wheat straw+ Tur straw (1:1) and Aw 8 -Wheat straw+ Tur straw (2:1). was cut into pieces up to 1-2 inches and sterilized with autoclave. At first this substrate was added into Nagpur bio-decomposer, and after two months decomposition then enrichment of biofertilizer i.e. subtreatments B1 -Azotobacter chroococcum, B2 -Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) and B3 -Trichoderma viride.

Percent loss in weight of substrates

The loss in weight of the organic material in the polythene bag was used to estimate the extent of decomposition. The weight loss was determined by subtracting the final weight from the initial weight. [5] , measured a weight loss 29%, and Gautam et al. (2010) [18] observed weight loss over a 45 days period. These results confirm the finding of Somani et al., (1982) [27] reported maximum loss in weight of cotton, mung and arhar substrates by inoculation of Coprinus lagopus and Memnoiella echinata. Bhasme et al. (2006) [7] here we have to reported that weight loss of substrate at 15,30, 45 and 60 days during decomposition i.e. 24.13%, 36.50%, 46.14% and 56.52% Gade et al. (2010) [15] also reported that percent weight loss of agriculture waste material by the use of microorganisms during all three years maximum percent loss of weight of substrates was in Trichoderma + Trichurus + Cellulomonas is 57.00, 60.14 and 52.4 [8] his observed that the bacterial cultures were applied on agriculture waste material comparising Soyabean straw, Pigeonpea straw, Wheat straw and cotton straw among all the cultures CDB 19 shown highest weight loss of the substrate (99.99%). It was also observed that maximum weight loss of cotton straw (99.99%) Osama et al., here reported that loss of weight in cotton straw + chicken manure + Azatobacter chroococcum is 36.65%. Rupela et al., (2003) [24] his also observed that weight loss in rice straw at 30 days in bacterial inoculation is 38%.

Results and Discussion

References

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