Effect of paddy straw compost on microbial communities and plant growth of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)
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Date
2023-07
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CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
Worldwide, agricultural residue burning has become a serious environmental issue that has a
very bad effect on human and animal health. Burning of agri-residues not only disturbs the soil
structure but huge loss of plant nutrients, effect microflora and causes greenhouse gas
emissions. Paddy straw and sugarcane bagasse are agricultural waste which composed of
lignocellulose that cannot be degraded easily (Rath et al., 2022). Their direct use causes
immobilization of nutrients, so composting arises as a safe option, resulting in the reusability
of nutrients contained in these residues (Malik et al., 2021).
The present study was investigated on effect of paddy straw compost on microbial
communities and plant growth of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.). Bacteria were maximum in
the mesophilic phase and the fungi at thermophilic phase, while actinomycetes in the
maturation phase in treatment (T3-Paddy straw (4) + Poultry waste (1) + MC). Alkaline
phosphatase and cellulase were maximum in T3 at 30 days of composting while
dehydrogenase (DHA) activity was maximum at 60 days in T5. The temperature of
compostable material increased from 38°C to 46°C after 40 to 45 days of composting and then
decreased. Total organic carbon of the compostable material in different treatments decreased
more in T3 followed by T4 due to losses of C and total N increased due to accumulation of
nitrogen up to 90 days. The quality of compost was tested by as C:N ratio, NPK content,
humic substances and germination index. Total nitrogen was increased from 0.56 to 1.44%,
similar pattern was also observed in total phosphorous and potassium followed. Maximum
reduction in C/N ratio was observed in T3 (22.29%). The C/N ratio of compostable materials
ranged from 85.50 initially and dropped down to 22.29 after 90 days of composting. The
amount of humic substances was highest in treatment T3 compared to all other treatments.
Among all treatments, the germination index was highest in T3 followed by T4. The T3
compost was selected for growing Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) variety MH-421 in pot house
conditions. Among the different treatments, T3 (60% soil + 40% PSW + PW + MC) showed
highest microbial count, plant height (35.59 cm and 49.10 cm at 30 days and 65 days after
sowing respectively), plant biomass, more nodule number, highest crude protein content of
grains and seed yield as compared to other treatments.