Earthworm Magic: Unlocking Kitchen Waste’s Potential through Vermicomposting | Chapter 8 | Innovations in Science and Technology: Shaping a Sustainable Future (Vol. 2)

 

Vermicomposting is a bio-conversion process of converting organic waste into a bio-fertilizer by the earthworm’s action. In this bioconversion method, earthworms feed on the organic waste, which may include vegetable or municipal waste, over a certain period of time and produce vermicompost; during the process, earthworms multiply twenty times a year. Earthworms most commonly used for vermicomposting include Eisenia Fetida, Eudrius Eugeniae and Eisenia Andrei. Vermicomposting can be carried out under any shady area that can be done under trees or it can be done in pits of sizes 10×3×2 feet. Regular monitoring and adjustments are necessary to maintain the right moisture content (about 70 %). Temperature control is crucial for successful vermicomposting. Extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold) can affect earthworm activity and decomposition rates. The typical range of temperature should be in the range of 18o to 35o C.  It is a rich source of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) and micronutrients. The NPK contents of vermicompost are higher than FYM (Farm Yard Manure), which is also called Black Gold. Vermicomposting is a very simple process of converting kitchen waste into vermicompost with the help of worms and, therefore can be adopted by any household people. It is an excellent way to manage kitchen waste and to keep the environment clean.

 

Author(s) Details

Prabjot Kaur
Department of Chemistry, Guru Nanak Girls College, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, India.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-93-48006-49-3/CH8

Evaluation of Diverse Sorghum Genotypes under Varying Doses of Nitrogen Fertilizers in Semi-Arid Regions of Pakistan | Chapter 3 | Research Advances and Challenges in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 5

Pakistan ranks among the nation’s most vulnerable to the ongoing and anticipated impacts of climate change. Cropping in Pakistan is bearing various climate challenges like temperature extremes, drought, flood, heavy rains, hails, wind storms increase in Co2, greenhouse gases and CFCs. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a predominant crop in arid regions. A field experiment involving six sorghum cultivars and three distinct nitrogen levels was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan during the Kharif season of 2017. The cultivars, nitrogen levels, and their interactions had a significant influence on plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), crop growth rate (g m-2 day-1), panicle elongation (cm), number of grains per panicle, grain weight (g), biomass production (kg ha-1), and economic yield (kg ha-1). The sorghum genotype JS-263, with an NPK dose of 120:75:60 kg ha-1, exhibited the highest grain yield and yield-related parameters. This high-yielding sorghum cultivar and optimal nitrogen level could be utilized for enhanced yield and productivity.

Author(s) Details:

Iqtidar Hussain,
Department of Agronomy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan.

Zuhair Hasnain,
Department of Agronomy, PMAS Arid Agriculture, University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Hafiz Basheer Ahmad,
Sugarcane Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RACAS-V5/article/view/13768

A Review on Edible Ornamental Flower Crops: Bioactive Properties and Health Benefits | Chapter 9 | Research Advances and Challenges in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2

Edible ornamental flower crops represent a harmonious fusion of aesthetics and functionality in horticulture. This chapter explores the intricate balance required to cultivate visually stunning blooms with nutritional significance. Describing the cultivation strategies for edible ornamental crops reveals a tailored approach, considering specific NPK ratios and micronutrient supplementation. Notable examples, such as nasturtiums and marigolds, showcase the diverse requirements of edible ornamental flowers. While phosphorus-enriched fertilizers stimulate prolific blooming in nasturtiums, marigolds flourish with a balanced NPK blend. The synthesis of artistic allure and nutritional value is achieved through meticulous attention to soil health and organic matter incorporation. This chapter delves into the delicate interplay between ornamental aesthetics and horticultural functionality, underscoring the significance of fertilization practices in cultivating these captivating and nourishing botanical wonders.

Author(s) Details:

Kedar Mahadev Gheware,
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, 180009 J&K, India.

Krishna Kaushik,
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut, 250110, U.P., India.

Vijay Kumar,
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, 180009 J&K, India.

Chanchal,
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, 180009 J&K, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RACAS-V2/article/view/13057

Effect of NPK Fertilizers, FYM and Vermicompost on Growth and Yield Attributes of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) var. Devika | Chapter 3 | Research Advances and Challenges in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 1

 This member highlights the belongings of NPK fertilizers, FYM and Vermicompost on growth and yield ascribed of okra. A field experiment was conducted in the period 2022 during the Kharif season at research farm of Area of Soil Science and Land Allure, Sam Higginbottom University of Farming, Technology and Sciences Prayagraj (Allahabad) 211007 U.P., India. The design used for statistical study was carried out accompanying randomized block design having three levels of NPK @ 0, 50 and 100% ha-1, three levels of FYM @ 0, 50 and 100% ha-1 and three levels of Vermicompost @ 0, 50 and 100% ha-1 individually. The soil experimental region was sandy earth in texture. The design was spent money in randomized block design with three levels of NPK (0, 50, & 100%), three levels of FYM and three levels of Vermicompost (0, 50, & 100%) individually. The results acquired with situation T9-[120:60:50 Kg NPK + 25 t FYM + 6 t Vermicompost] showed best  plant height, number of arms plant-1, number of leaves plants-1, number of fruits plant-1, total product per plant. Among the situations, Organic manures in addition to its combination with complete NPK considerably increase in development and total yield attributes of okra. Opposite to all other situations, combination of NPK, FYM and Vermicompost at 100% each individually gave ultimate significant affect okra growth. The study disclosed that the application of NPK FYM and Vermicompost in situation was found best in growing growth and yield of okra.

Author(s) Details:

Bhushan Sawant Dessai,
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Arun Alfred David,
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Neha Toppo,
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Iska Srinath Reddy,
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RACAS-V1/article/view/12937

Evaluation of Physicochemical Characteristics of Dabus Kebele Farmland Soil, Bambasi District, Benshangul Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia | Chapter 03 | Current Topics in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2

 It was determined to identify soil features at a specific location in order to analyse the nutritional content of the soil. The determination of physicochemical soil properties is critical for plant growth and soil management on farmland. The goal of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics of agricultural land in Dabus villages, such as pH, percent OC, percent TN, ppmP, exchangeable acidity, Cmol/100g soil of CEC, exchangeable acidity and potassium content, g/cm3 bulk density, percent sand, percent clay, percent silt, and textural class. The results of all of the soil samples gathered from the communities were insignificant. However, all samples had lower nutrient content than the standards, with the highest findings in most parameters coming from village nine (S9). Phosphorus, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic carbon, and carbon dioxide content (CEC) were all measured. The pH was found to be rather acidic. According to the findings, the study area lacked organic carbon and other essential ingredients for plant growth.

Author(S) Details

Dessie Almaw Cherie
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Assosa Agricultural Research Center, Assosa, Ethiopia.

Lejalem Abeble Dagnaw
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Assosa Agricultural Research Center, Assosa, Ethiopia.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/CTAS-V2/article/view/4401

Study on the Use of Biostimulants in High-density Olive Growing: Quality and Production | Chapter 10 | Cutting-edge Research in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 7

 The nutritional requirements of the plants are higher per unit area as a result of the increase in high-density holdings, especially of olive trees, implying that a greater contribution of fertilisers to the soil is required. The use of inorganic fertilisers would result in a rise in soil contamination. There is a strong trend nowadays toward the use of environmentally sustainable cropping techniques, with a particular interest in organic fertilisation using products derived from algae and/or crop extracts, which have a high organic matter content and provide the required nutrients to the plant.

Faced with the possibility of soil pollution, our goal is to investigate the impact of biostimulants as an alternative to chemical fertilisers in order to consistently achieve and maintain high quality levels throughout the crop's life cycle. Our goal is to use more environmentally friendly goods in order to meet one of the most significant customer and government demands.

We used five different treatments in this study, in addition to a control treatment with a supply of NPK from inorganic materials, to control fertilisation with a solution made from seaweed extracts. These treatments were applied to two of the most significant olive tree varieties in the current olive tree growing scenario: Arbequina and Koroneiki, over the course of two crop cycles.

The olive trees were planted in a high-density system with a planting structure of 4 x 1.5 m on the farm Pozohondo, which is situated in a crop zone by the Palancia river (Castellón, Valencia, Spain), in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. Using a fertigation scheme, we were able to maintain complete control over the holding's nutritional requirements.

We were able to detect variations in the productions of each applied procedure, avoiding any potential prejudices by using 100 randomly selected olives from each sample as a control. The treatment that offers amino acids and extra potassium dependent on amino acids improves the collection of physical characteristics of the olives. We measured the content of fatty acids, tocopherols, and polyphenols in the olive oil obtained from each procedure to assess its consistency. We have conducted an organoleptic taste study in accordance with the International Olive Committee's guidelines (IOC).

When using the potassium and amino acid biostimulant, we saw an increase in the pomological parameters of the olives compared to the other treatments, while the consistency of the soils was unaffected by the form of fertilisation used in each procedure. We increased production by adding various extra biostimulant contributions, which can be said to substitute inorganic fertilisers, at least under our working conditions.

Author (s) Details

Gilberto Hernández-Hernandez
Department of Plant Production, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Institute for the Conservation and Improvement of Valencian Agrobiodiversity (COMAV), Spain.

Domingo M. Salazar
Department of Plant Production, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Institute for the Conservation and Improvement of Valencian Agrobiodiversity (COMAV), Spain.

Juan Martínez-Tomé
Department of Plant Production and Microbiology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Spain.

Isabel López-Cortés
Department of Plant Production, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Institute for the Conservation and Improvement of Valencian Agrobiodiversity (COMAV), Spain.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CRAS-V7/article/view/606