Integrating N-enriched compost with biologically active substances for improving growth and yield of cereals.

R. Ahmad; M. Arshad; Z. A. Zahir; M. Naveed; M. Khalid; H. N. Asghar

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Integrating N-enriched compost with biologically active substances for improving growth and yield of cereals.

Author(s)

R. Ahmad Land Resources Research Program, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan

M. Arshad Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Z. A. Zahir Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

M. Naveed Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

M. Khalid Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

H. N. Asghar Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Value addition of the composted organic waste material through biologically active substances (BAS) is a novel approach to convert composted material into a useful soil amendment. In the present study, compost was prepared from waste fruit and vegetables and enriched with 25% of full dose of N fertilizer for maize and wheat, respectively. Biologically active substances (BAS); indole 3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA3) and kinetin, each was added @ 1.0 mg kg-1 compost to separate batches of nitrogen enriched compost (NEC). Effectiveness of IAA, GA3 and kinetin-added NEC was compared in field in the presence of 50% recommended dose of N fertilizer for maize and wheat, respectively. Compost was applied @ 300 kg ha-1 to both crops and recommended P and K fertilizers of respective crop were applied as basal dose to all plots. Recommended dose of N fertilizer for respective crop was used for comparison. Results indicated that NEC with or without IAA/GA3 supplemented with half dose of N fertilizer was as effective as full dose of N fertilizer in improving growth and yield of maize as well as wheat, saving ~ 25% N fertilizer. However, kinetin-added compost was better than IAA/GA3-added compost when compared with recommended dose of N fertilizer. It significantly improved yield and N uptakes of maize (6.2 and 6.7%, respectively) and wheat (5.9 and 6.1%, respectively) over full dose of N fertilizer. The technology bears its promise not only to improve crop yield on sustainable basis but also reduce huge piles of organic wastes causing environmental pollution.

Publication Details

Page(s) 283-293

DOI DOI not available

Published Journal: Pakistan Journal of Botany, Volume: 40, Issue: 1, Year: 2008

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