Effect of different compost concentrations on the growth yield of Bombax Ceiba (Simal)

<i>Bombax ceiba</i> is an important agroforestry tree species widely distributed throughout the world. It has been extensively grown and planted for eras in hot and dry regions and high humidity zones of southern Asia. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the growth response of <i>B. ceiba</i> in response to different compost treatments. Different morphological traits (plant height, stem height, root length) and biomass (shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight and root/shoot ratio) were measured. Two experiments (pot experiment = seedlings) and (field experiment = saplings) were conducted simultaneously. Different compost treatments: (T₀) = (Compost 0% + Soil 0%), (T₁) = (Compost 25% + Soil 75%), (T₂) = (Compost 50% + Soil 50%), (T₃) = (Compost 75% + Soil 25%), (T₄) = (Compost 100% + Soil 0%) were applied in the growing media. Results demonstrated that plant growth increased with the increment in compost application. In the pot experiment, <i>B. ceiba</i> exhibited its better growth under 75% of compost application, whereas in the field experiment, 100% compost was helpful for the best production of <i>B. ceiba</i>. Overall, positive effects of compost were observed for the growth of <i>B. ceiba</i>. The plant growth was increased greatly in response to the better content of organic fertilizer, and it was determined that compost enhances soil fertility. It should be implemented as organic fertilizer in agroforestry operations for optimizing plant growth and yield.

Déterminants Socio-Économiques De L’adoption Des Technologies Agro Écologiques De Productions Agricoles Dans Le Département De Mayahi Au Niger

Cette étude conduite dans le département de Mayahi, au Niger oriental, a pour objectif, d’identifier les facteurs influençant l’adoption des pratiques culturales de production du mil et du niébé et aussi celle de l’utilisation du bloc multi-nutritionnel. Ainsi, cent-vingt (120) chefs d’exploitation choisis aléatoirement ont été enquêtés sur l’utilisation des technologies de production diffusées au cours des trois dernières années. La régression logistique a permis de déterminer les corrélations entre les contextes et l’adoption des technologies. Ainsi, l’implication des producteurs dans les démonstrations a influencé positivement sur l’adoption des techniques d’application du compost (P<0,001), l’utilisation des variétés améliorées de mil et de niébé (P<0,05), des extraits aqueux des graines de Neem (P<0,001) et de la technologie de stockage hermétique des récoltes (P<0,001). Cependant, la proximité des villages du marché hebdomadaire a eu une corrélation négative avec l’utilisation du compost (P<0,05) ; alors que la proximité du village aux zones urbaines a influencé positivement l’achat des blocs multi nutritionnels densifiés et la pratique du défrichement amélioré (P<0,001). Par ailleurs, l’accès au crédit a influencé positivement sur l’achat des blocs multi nutritionnels densifiés (P<0,05) ; le contact avec les services de vulgarisation agricole public a été corrélé par l’utilisation de la technologie de lutte contre la chenille mineuse de l’épi du mil (P<0,05). Ces résultats peuvent contribuer à orienter les acteurs de développement rural à mieux planifier les activités de diffusion et de promotion des nouvelles pratiques agronomiques. The objective of this study is to identify the determinants of production technology’s adoption of millet and cowpea as well as the densified multi-nutritional block in the department of Mayahi. One hundred and twenty (120) randomly selected farm managers were surveyed on the use of production technologies released over the past three years. Logistic regression was used to determine that were between contexts and technology adoption. Results showed that producers’ participation in the demonstration, the adoption of compost application techniques, the use of improved varieties of millet and cowpea, aqueous extracts and neem seeds, and hermetic crop storage technology positively influenced. Similarly, results reveal that the proximity of villages to the weekly market had a negative correlation with the use of compost and the location of the village next to urban areas positively influenced the purchase of densified multi-nutritional blocks. R ults also indicate that the practice of improved land clearing and access to credit positively influenced the purchase of densifieal blocks; while contact with public agricultural extension services was correlated with the use of millet ear leaf miner control technology. These findings could help to guide rural development agents to better plan activities for the dissemination and promotion of new agronomic practices

Effect of Compost and Titanium Dioxide Application on the Vegetative Yield and Essential Oil Composition of Coriander

Coriander is one of the most popular and intensely used spices owing to its multipurpose uses worldwide. It is mainly cultivated for the production of its dried seed and fresh leaves. The present study aimed to evaluate the application of compost and foliar spraying of TiO2 on the yield and essential oil composition of coriander. Two field experiments were conducted during two successive seasons; after that, the yield parameters were determined, and the essential oil of the seeds was extracted and analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results indicated that coriander growths at both years were significantly affected by compost application and foliar application of TiO2, and a significant interaction of these two factors also occurred. Compost application at 50 m3 caused significant increments of 55% and 46% in umbels number and 75% and 64% in seed yield in the first and second season, respectively, compared with control. The application of compost to the coriander plant significantly influenced oil percentage and oil yield per ha. The maximum oil percent was recorded in control plants. Foliar application of TiO2 resulted in significant improvement in plant height, number of umbels, and seed yield of coriander as compared with control and reached their maximum values at 6 g L−1 compared with the control; foliar application of TiO2 at 2 g L−1 enhanced numbers of umbels by 22% with no significant differences between 2, 4, and 6 g L−1 treatments in the first season and by 24, 33, and 48% in the second season. Increases in seed yield accounted for 34, 43, and 64% in the first season and 21, 36, and 45% in the second season due to titanium dioxide application of 2, 4, and 6 g L−1, respectively. The maximum content of linalool (87.61%) and minimum content of estragole (0.7%) was recorded at 4 g L−1 titanium dioxide with no compost.

Quantification and analysis of surface macroplastic contamination on arable areas

Purpose The present study provides quantitative data on the degree of macroplastic contamination of two conventionally treated arable areas in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany), which differ only in the use of organic fertilizers (e.g., compost). Methods The plastic contamination of both areas was determined by means of field sampling. The study areas were divided into edge and central areas to minimize and identify direct influences from the boundaries. After cleaning and drying, the collected macroplastic particles were analyzed by phototechnical and optical methods for number and size of particles. Results The arable area with compost fertilization showed a substantially higher macroplastic pollution with 9247 particles per hectare compared to the 220 particles per hectare found on the arable land without compost application. Furthermore, the differences in plastic forms and types on both areas, the presence of plastic directly related to household and garden products, and the homogeneous distribution of plastic particles on the arable area with compost application allow to conclude that compost can be regarded as reason for substantially higher pollution. Areas close to a road showed a higher degree of contamination and differences in the found plastic products compared to the center areas, which indicates littering as a further considerable entry path. Conclusions The causes of plastic contamination of the investigated arable areas (e.g., contaminated compost by improper waste management and littering) are predominantly external to agricultural practices. The knowledge gained contributes to the knowledge about quantities, impacts, and fate of plastic in the environment.

Utilization of nyamplung industrial waste for compost and the response to nyamplung seedlings growth and nitrogen uptake

The solid waste (dregs seed) of nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum) industry from seed pressing processes could be more than 50% of the dry seed weight. Nyamplung oil industry in Bantul (Yogyakarta) has been produced nyamplung oil 4-5 ton/month that produced dregs seed around 50-60%/ton nyamplung dry seeds. The accumulated waste has been piled up and immediately important to utilize it. This study aimed to determine (i) the effect of bioactivators with ameliorant material application and the interactions among treatments on nyamplung dregs compost quality, and (ii) the growth response, seedling quality index and nitrogen uptake on nyamplung seedlings with nyamplung dregs compost application. The study was arranged in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) factorial. Two bioactivators Prouponic Gb#1 and cattle rumen bio starter were used in the study. The bioactivators were combined by ameliorants (no ameliorant, dolomite, and rice husk ash) with 3 replicates for each treatment. Analyses of soil chemical properties were carried out on nyamplung dregs before and after the treatments applied including: pH, DHL, N Total, C/N ratio, P Total, K Total. Those characters were compared to SNI No.19-7030-2004 on compost quality standards. DHL, C/N ratio, the total N, P, and K met the criteria on SNI. Seedling growth characters (height, diameter, number of leaves) and seedling quality index varied between nyamplung dregs compost treatments and control up to 16 weeks observation. Nyamplung dregs compost application showed the highest N uptake on nyamplung seedlings compared to the controls. Nyamplung seedling quality index was highly influenced by the uptake of N nutrients in the shoots and the roots than by height character and diameter.

Integrated Bioplant and Groundnut Husk Biochar Compost Application on Yield of Lettuce in a Rhodic Kandiustalf

Bioplant is a liquid soil conditioner that contains a consortium of beneficial fungi and bacteria manufactured by Artemis and Angel Company Limited in Bangkok. Bioplant is purported to stimulate beneficial microbial activity in soil and hence increase crop yield. However, the efficacy of Bioplant has not been evaluated on Ghanaian soils. A screen house trial was consequently conducted to evaluate the efficacy or otherwise of Bioplant on the yield of lettuce in a Rhodic Kandiustalf amended with or without compost. The soil was mixed with compost at 20 parts soil to 80 parts compost and 60 parts soil to 40 parts compost (v/v) and potted in 1.7-L pots. There was another potted soil with no compost amendment. To each of these potted soils, Bioplant was applied at four rates, viz., zero, half the manufacturer's recommended rate, the manufacturer's recommended rate, and twice the manufacturer's recommended rate, and allowed to equilibrate for 2 weeks. Seedlings of lettuce of the variety Eden were transplanted into the pots, and the treatments kept at 80% field capacity. The treatments were replicated four times in a completely randomized design. At physiological maturity, the lettuce was harvested, and fresh and dry matter yields were taken. The C and N contents and N uptake in the harvested plants were also determined. Results indicate that conditioning the soil with Bioplant at half and the manufacturer's recommended rates increased N uptake, resulting in higher carbon accumulation with concomitant increases in both fresh and dry matter yields. The results also show that amending the Rhodic Kandiustalf with Bioplant at twice the manufacturer's rate suppressed yield. Application of Bioplant at the manufacturer's recommended rate in combination with compost amended at 40 parts to 60 parts soil (v/v) saw a 47 and 90% respective significant yield increases in fresh weight and dry matter when only Bioplant was applied at the manufacturer's recommended rate. It is therefore recommended for Bioplant to be applied at the manufacturer's recommended rate of 825 mL/ha in combination with 40 parts of compost to 60 parts of soil (v/v).

Carbon Dynamics of Fruit and Vegetable Wastes and Biodegradable Municipal Waste Compost-Amended Oxisol

Recycling of wastes via composting is advocated as a means to reduce environmental hazards due to the dumping of wastes. Composting also creates a vital source of organic matter that is important in nutrient and soil moisture retention, soil fertility preservation and improving the physical and chemical properties of soils. This study was conducted to evaluate the short-term effects of four compost amendments in an Oxisol on carbon dynamics (carbon dioxide evolution and carbon transformation). The composts were prepared in 3:1 and 1:2 of fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) to biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) with and without indigenous microorganisms (IMO) (3:1 +IMO, 1:2 +IMO, 3:1 −IMO, 1:2 −IMO). Soil incubation studies were carried out for 35 days at three compost application rates of 0, 5 and 10 Mg ha−1, with measurements done including the CO2 evolution, dehydrogenase enzyme (DHA) assay and compost Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy spectral analysis. At 10 Mg ha−1 compost application rate, increased soil respiration rate was obtained at 3:1 +IMO compost, mostly due to increased labile organic matter and higher amount of FVW in the compost mixture, which stimulated soil microorganisms and/or their activities reflected by increased evolution of CO2 in the process of decomposition of the added composts in the compost-amended soils. The DHA activity increased with compost application rates, and significantly, the highest DHA activity was recorded at 3:1 +IMO compost applied at 10 Mg ha−1 soil at 1.38 triphenylformazan (TPF)/g dry soil/24 h. The compost FTIR spectral analysis showed transformations that occurred due to the composting that was carried out. A broadband between 3279–3347 cm wavelength in the FTIR spectroscopy indicated the presence of carboxylic and hydroxyl functional groups because of carbon transformation that occurred in the composts.

Compost of Yellow Creeping Daisy (Wedelia Trilobata, L.) Weed to Increase Organic Tomato Yield

Numerous weeds, including Yellow Creeping Daisy (Wedelia trilobata) are sources for compost. Compost efficacy is dependent on several factors, including the source of organic matter, the dosage, the application method, and the period of the application. The purpose of this study was to compare tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum, Mill) growth and yield at various Yellow Creeping Daisy (YCD) compost doses and application times. The experiment employed a completely randomized design (CRD) with a factorial arrangement consisting of two factors. The treatment combinations were repeated three times. The first factor was the timing of compost application, which were two and one weeks prior to planting, and on planting day. The second factor was the dosage of compost, which was 0, 10, 20, or 30 tons/Ha. Application of YCD compost 1-2 weeks before tomato planting provided greater yield than at planting, as indicated by number of fruit, fruit diameter, and fruit weight per plant. Higher dose of YCD compost application increased the yield of tomato. Application of the compost 2 weeks before planting at 30 tons/ha resulted in the highest yield of tomato.