​Efficient Utilization of Paddy Straw and Sugarcane Bagasse through Vermicomposting and its Impact on Growth, Yield and Quality of Broccoli [Brassica oleracea (var.) italica]

Background: Broccoli [Brassica oleracea (var.) italica] is a cool season vegetable of family cruciferous, known as harigobi in Hindi. In modern agriculture, high doses of chemical fertilizers are used to maximize the crop production. Plenty of chemical fertilizers along with a small quantity of organic ones are being used to increase the yield which ultimately affects the health of soil. Due to excess use of chemical fertilizers a decline pattern is observed in soil fertility, therefore integrated nutrient management is an important demand of present era. Vermicompost application is an important forthcoming addition in this venture. Methods: The research material comprised of seven treatments with three replications. Treatments included FYM (T1), Chemical fertilizer (T2), Paddy straw vermicompost (T3), Sugarcane bagasse vermicompost (T4), Paddy straw+Sugarcane bagasse vermicompost (T5), Vermicompost+Vermiwash (T6) and control (T7). The experiment was conducted considering the growth and yield parameters along with quality parameters. Result: The results indicated that application of treatment T5 vermicompost was found to be the best treatment combination in terms of quality of broccoli. Thus, the study indicates that the vermicompost can be utilized effectively for sustainable crop production.

Influence of Land Configurations and Mulching on Plant Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Inadequate moisture supply and poor soil management are some of the major constraints for productivity in grain legumes like chickpea, present study was to focus on effect of land configurations and mulching in overcoming the constraints and their effect on growth and yield of chickpea. During rabi, 2019-20, the experiment was laid out in split plot design at College Farm, Agricultural College, Polasa, Jagtial with three land configurations (M1- Flat bed, M2- Ridge and furrow, M3- Broad bed and furrow) as main plots and four mulching treatments (S1- Control, S2- Sesamum mulch, S3- Gliricidia mulch, S4- Paddy straw mulch) as sub plots and are evaluated for growth and yield. Significant performance of the growth parameters was observed under broad bed and furrow land configuration and in contrast, flat bed land configuration recorded the least performance. Among the mulching treatments gliricidia recorded the better performance over other treatments.

Effect of Milky Mushroom (Calocybe indica) in Different Agricultural Residues with Different Casing Materials

Present study entitled was carried out in field irrigation lab, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Aditya Engineering College, Surampalem. In the present experiment locally available agricultural substrate paddy straw, sugarcane bagasse and cocopeat were tested with black soil and farm yard manner as casing materials. For parameters such as days required for spawn run, pinhead formation, harvest days, total yield and biological efficiency were determined. Significant results were obtained for all the experimental parameters and also for the stem length and cap diameter. Best substrate found was the paddy straw in the recent experiment with days required for spawn run (14 days), pin head formation (11.2 days), days for first harvest(50 days), stem length (8.07 cm), capdiameter (8.67 cm), first harvest (489.45 gm), second harvest (453.68 gm), total yield (925.24 gm), biological efficiency (94.31%). The next best in the order was coco peat followed by sugarcane bagasse. Hence this study confirms the suitability of paddy straw for cultivation to mushroom growers and farmyard manure with 15 cm casing thickness as substrate for its cultivation for achieving higher yield. The benefit cost ratio was estimated as 1.57.

Historical and Current Perspective of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Cultivation in South Korea

We review edible mushrooms in South Korea, primarily focused on oyster mushroom (OM) (Pleurotus ostreatus), which shows the highest production among the mushrooms grown for industrial purposes, and it takes up almost 32% of the total production. We aimed to describe their historical uses, common cultivars, and specific characteristics that make them one of the most viable food sources or functional materials. About 15,000 mushroom varieties are known, and 2,000 varieties are possible as human food. Generally, OM has long been studied the most widely as an edible mushroom compared to the other mushrooms in South Korea. Recently, there has been a growing interest in food mushrooms as the production of O.M. is characterized by low greenhouse gas emissions compared to animal breeding in South Korea. Also, OM is often highlighted as nutritious side dishes to serve with rice. Thus, facilitating O.M. production and consumption could contribute to human health and environmental conservation in the near future. Over the years 2015–2020, Pleurotus sajor (PS) export increased by 189.9% (US$ 130,000) compared to 2010-2015. The O.M. cultivation tends to increase rapidly in developing countries for human food and compost or insect foods after cultivation, for example, internal use of culture media or sawdust dump of willow growing environmental conditions. In South Korea, mushroom research has started in the 1960s by the horticultural research center of Rural Development of Administration. In the early 1970s, OM cultivation methods using paddy straw were first developed globally. In 1974, NONGGI-2-1-ho cultivar was developed. In 1976, various practices for water management, disinfection, and fermentation were developed, resulting in substantial yield increases. From 1986, labor-saving paddy straw binders, cutting machines, disinfection boilers, wager suppliers were produced and started being supplied to the farmers. In the 1980s, cotton waste was used as a substrate for cultivation of OM, where water content was identified as the dominant controlling factor for yields. Cotton waste is the best substrate material for summer OM. After using cotton waste, it is commonly replaced with paddy straw. Recently, growers use poplar sawdust, oak sawdust, and rice bran mixed at a ratio of 40:40:20 (v/v/v) instead of cotton waste. When adjusting the nutrients of a medium, the nitrogen content is the crucial factor in determining the yield of OM. There is an additional attempt to add functionality by using alternative plant materials, such as Hovenia dulcis known for liver protection and anti-cancer effects, as well as Acer tegmeutosum and Rhus verniciflura. Further research is in progress to search for and new medium materials effective for OM cultivation.

Experimental Study of the Strength Aspects of Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks using Marble Dust, Sugarcane Bagasse Ash and Paddy Straw Fiber

The world is facing pollution crises and these cries are due to improper disposal of waste material. This materials are Rice husk ash, bagasseash, waste marble powder, remanings of grains like rice starw and many more. Some of the waste materials can easily be disposable in the construction industry by using them in the concrete or in any other construction material. This paper deals with this waste material to be utilized in the compressed earth blocks. To study the mechanical properties of compressed soil blocks prepared by a combination of various ratios of Marble powder, paddy Straw Fiber and Sugarcane bagasse ash, the compression test, and water absorption test was performed. The marble powder is introduced in the manner to replace soil by 25%, 35%% and 45 %. Paddy Starws fibers are introducedby the replacement percentage of.6%,.8%and 1% whereas the bagasse ash is been introduced in the manner of 8%,10% and 12%This various test shows that the Marble powder Waste increase dry density which helps in increasing the compression Capacity of the brick. Whereas Paddy Straw fiber and bagasse ash decrease the dry density of brick which results in decreasingthe optimum water content of the mixof the brick. Bagasse ash and paddy straw fiber increase the water absorption capacity of the brick.

Characteristics of unfired soil blocks stabilized with industrial waste and agricultural waste

The problem of pollution is on daily rise and environment protection is becoming challengeable task due to production of fired bricks and improper disposal of waste materials. This experimental investigation is conducted on unfired compacted soil block stabilized with waste materials. The waste materials utilized in this investigation were paddy straw fiber, sugarcane bagasse ash and marble dust because of their improper disposal and burning of paddy straw is one of them. Marble dust was put on at distinct percentages in the span of 25% to 35%, bagasse ash and paddy straw fibers (75mm length) were also added in varied %age. Experiments were conducted on the blocks to determine the compaction properties and compressive strength of the blocks. The outcome of this experimentation determined that the light weight unfired admixed soil block is achievable with optimum amount of waste materials. Also, inclusion of marble dust in soil block admixed with bagasse ash and paddy straw fiber increases the compressive strength.