Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
12.7
Role of Composting in Agricultural Production
Organic waste compost have several benefits to application in agricultural crops
as well as on soil structural fertility and plant growth and development (Murwira
1995
; Esse et al.
2001
). The mature compost differs in its quality and stability, it
depends upon the composition of raw materials used for the compost production
(Poincelot
1974
, Gaur and Singh
1995
; Ranalli et al.
2001
). Microbial succession
plays a key role in composting process and appearance of some microorganisms
reflects the quality of maturing compost (Ishii et al.
2000
; Ryckeboer et al.
2003b
).
Compost stability is one of the significant approaches of compost quality. It relates
to the degree to which the organic matter has been stabilizing during the composting
process (Weppen
2002
).
Lack of adequate nutrient supply and poor soil structure are the principle con-
straints to crop productivity under low inputs. Agricultural use of organic residues
offers an attractive method for their safe disposal and a valuable source of organic
amendments and nutrients. Application of organic residue material or composted
organic residue influence the soil structure and fertility with special addition of nu-
tritional content perticularly major amount of trace elements (Courtney and Mullen
2008
). On the other hand, intensified agricultural practices include use of organic
and chemical fertilizer with their negative consequences that affects the biodiversity
of soil microorganisms and adversaly affecting soil quality. To ensure sustainable
agriculture, and for evaluating the effects of management practices on soil, D'Hose
et al. (
2014
) developed multiparameter index that includes a wide range of soil
properties linked to important soil functions so as to categorise crop sustainability
and productivity. Accordingly, long term farm compost (FC) amendments resulted
in strengthening the soil quality. Dukare et al. (
2011
) investigated the potential of
antagonistic bacteria amended in compost preparations. These facilitated suppres-
sion of diseases caused by plant pathogenic fungi
Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium
debaryanum, P. aphanidermatum
and
Rhizoctonia solani
. This study revealed out
importance and efficacy of microbe-fortified compost for use in control of phyto-
pathogenic fungi. On the other hand, effectiveness of plant harmones blended with
recycled organic waste observed for improving growth and yield of wheat (Zahir
et al.
2007
). In their studies huge amount of organic waste as compost was converted
into a value-added product for improving growth, yield and nutrient uptake in wheat.
On the contrary, implementation of composting practices may impact reverse (dam-
age) due to overzealous use of other fertilizers. Moss et al. (
2002
) examined that the
non-recyclable petroleum based fertilizers associated with the “green revolution”
displaced the use of manures and human waste as compost have not been find much
potential in crop improvement. Martínez-Blanco et al. (
2014
) reviewed that compost
through life cycle assessment (LCA) ascertained nutrient supply, carbon sequestra-
tion, pest and fungal disease suppression, increase crop yield, decrease soil erosion,
retention of soil moisture, increase soil work ability, enhance soil biological prop-
erties and biodiversity and enhance crop nutritional quality. Compost application
could contribute to increase food availability and therefore, efforts should be made
to alleviate the socio-economic constraints to the adoption of compost technology
