Revisiting the nutrient composition of composts prepared with prevailing practices in Bhagalpur
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Date
2017-07
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Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, BAU, Sabour
Abstract
Soil fertility maintenance is very essential in achieving and maintaining high crop yields. Decline in soil fertility is becoming increasingly critical to secure sustainable soil productivity. Compost prepared from farm waste is an important input that contributes to soil fertility. Compost samples were collected as prepared by the farmers through prevailing practices in 6 blocks of Bhagalpur namely Goradih, Sanhaula, Kahalgaon, Rangra, Kharik and Naugachhia and were analysed for their nutrient status. Among the selected blocks, some farmers of Rangra block have used bedding material of maize stalk for composting. However, many farmers of the Rangra block wanted to use it for fodder. The C:N ratio of composts prepared at Rangra block were minimum as compared to rest of the blocks.
Farmers of other blocks also used bedding materials, but the materials were not suitable for the same. The objective of some of the farmers was to get rid of farm waste rather than using it for composting to take benefit from it. The type of materials available for different farmers was different. Some of them were very cautious about the nutrient value of the compost and wanted to replace chemical fertilisers with it. However, they knew that using only compost in their farms could not supply the required amount of nutrients to the crop but they were keen to make beneficial use of farm waste in the form of compost. The farmers’ composts in selected blocks of Bhagalpur were not free from chemical fertilizers, plastics, metals, glasses and dry cells. Care must be taken to avoid any contamination from heavy metals, plastics etc.
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