Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 4
Bio-composting of Aquatic Biomass Residue
and its Amendments in Soil Reclamation
Dinesh Kumar Maheshwari and Mohit Agarwal
Abstract The practice of solid waste treatment known from Biblical era to present
era, composting is significantly subsidize and manage natural resources defined as
renewable, biodegradable organic matter generated through life processes. Com-
posting under variety of applications is quite important for farming with interesting
aspect of large cultivation of aquatic plants and it's composting to generate animal
feed, soil amendments and other energy sources. Interestingly, microbial population
associated with decaying litter of macrophytes utilizes organic matter and facilitate
degradation of cell wall polymers of plant detritus. Eichhornia crassipes is a trou-
blesome aquatic weed of water body habitant. On after compost, it is found similar
to organic compost or bio-dung. Similarly, Ipomoea aquatica is favorable compost
with composition of moisture, crude oil, crude fiber, carbohydrate, crude protein
and mineral elements including K, Fe, Mn, Zn, Na, Ca and Mg. Compost of both
plant residues is entirely suitable as organic manure which, off-set the cost of fertil-
izers in farming system. Addition of compost corroborates nutrients, micronutrients
and organic matter availability to soil and favor growth/activity of symbiotic bacte-
ria resulting into improved biomass. The immense importance of organic manures/
compost in the form of humus rich with plant nutrients increases the fertility of
several kind of soil. Though, chemical fertilizer thought as only way to increase soil
fertility, but severally effects soil fertility too. So, in this scenario, composting for
agricultural benefits is the need of today to help in reclamation of waste lands. It is
an effective way to stepping out agricultural production and extension of area for
cultivation through reclamation of waste lands. Millions of farmers in developing
countries need adequate resources for augmenting the crop productivity, and ensur-
ing continued maintenance and building up of the soil fertility for greater productiv-
ity from agro-waste residues.
Keywords Aquatic biomass · Eichhornia crassipes · Ipomoea aquatica ·
Bioconversion · Lignocellulosics · Soil fertility
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