A field study was carried out across two cropping seasons (2010 and 2011) to explore the effects of curing periods of cow dung and poultry droppings used in soil amendment on the performance of two okra (Abelmoschus esculentusL.) varieties: NHAe 47-3 and LD 88-1. The effects of cow dung and poultry droppings cured for 3, 6, and 9 weeks were compared to that of NPK fertilizer (100 kg N ha−1and 60 kg ha−1each of P2O5and K2O) and a control (no amendment). The application of organic amendment cured for 3 to 6 weeks enhanced the growth and yield of okra when compared with inorganic fertilizer or the unamended soil across the two cropping seasons. Based on this outcome, the use of adequate quantity of livestock droppings cured for 3–6 weeks, in case of poultry dropping, and for 6 weeks, in case of cow dung, is recommended as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer. The variety NHAe 47-4 was also demonstrated to give better yield (1.73 and 2.18 t ha−1) than LD 88-1 (1.63 and 1.80 t ha−1) in the years 2010 and 2011, respectively.
Performance of different Tricho-inocula (Trichoderma harzianum inocula), Tricho-compost (T. harzianum compost) and Provax 200 WP (Carboxin + Thiram group fungicide) for controlling seedling mortality of chickpea was investigated under Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri inoculated soil in two different agro-ecological zones viz. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur and Pulses Research Station, Madaripur of Bangladesh. Tricho-compost was prepared with a mixed substrate of cow dung, rice husk and poultry refuse colonized by T. harzianum. The seedling mortality of chickpea was significantly reduced by the Tricho-inocula, Tricho-compost and Provax 200 WP where Tricho-compost was found superior with respect to reduction of seedling mortality and accelerating plant growth with increasing grain yield of chickpea under pot culture as well as field conditions in two different agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh
Organic production methods which include the exclusion of chemical approach of soil amendment have been observed to improve plant growth and preserve the soil health and biodiversity of production environment. A study was conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, to examine the influence of organic manure and wood ash on the abundance of soil microorganisms, organic carbon and yield of soybean in acid soil. The study consisted of three rates of wood ash (0, 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1) and three rates of cow dung (0, 5.0 and 10.0 t ha-1) arranged in completely randomized design, replicated three times. Soybean variety TGX 1485 – ID was sown into 5 kg. The results showed that wood ash application at 5.0 t ha-1 significantly increased the soil pH (6.6), organic carbon (7.48) and soil microbial population (110 × 104 cfu g-1) compared to lower rate of 2.5 t ha-1 and control, which resulted in highest number of pods (7.7) and grain yield (14.2 g per plant) at harvest. Cow dung treatment of 10 t ha-1 significantly had highest soil organic carbon (7.39%) at 8 WAP and soil microbial population (21.1 and 91.4 × 104 cfu g-1) at 4 and 8 WAP respectively. These findings indicate that application of wood ash may be an acceptable alternative liming agent to the inorganic soil amendment and higher soybean productivity.
Biogas is the product of anaerobic vitiation of biodegradable matter. This paper focuses on the need of alternative and green sources of energy at a household level and how biogas produced from the everyday organic waste has the potential and possibility to replace LPG cylinders at houses, shops etc. and empower us to step towards an eco-friendly future. The purpose this small-scale experiment has been to find the perfect input matter that is easy to acquire and which produces the maximum amount of gas from minimum input and within small period of waste retention. Four different types of input waste material containing different quantities of cow dung and kitchen food waste were studied through individual experimental setups. Waste was mixed and kept at room temperature and the pH and total solid concentration of the samples were recorded on regular intervals. From the experiment it was found that the optimum yield of biogas at a small scale, based on the parameters such as retention period, pH and total solid con-centration can be obtained by the use of food waste form households and kitchens. The exact composition has been discussed in this paper. The energy generated by the small-scale generator has also been compared to that of an LPG cylinder and an LPG replacement model has also been presented.
Animal manures have been used as natural crop fertilizers for centuries. Because of poultry manure’s high nitrogen content, it has long been recognized as one of the most desirable manures. Besides fertilizing crops, manures also supply other essential plant nutrients and serve as a soil amendment by adding organic matter, which helps improve the soil’s moisture and nutrient retention. Organic matter persistence will vary with temperature, drainage, rainfall, and other environmental factors. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Michael A. Davis, D.R. Sloan, Gerald Kidder, and R.D. Jacobs, and published by the UF Department of Animal Science, November 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa205
Effects of Curing Period of Livestock Droppings on the Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentusL.) Varieties
