Abstract
Cotton stalks, remaining after the cotton is harvested, are considered waste material and disposed of by burning. Presently, the supply of good quality manure, such as farmyard manure (FYM) is low. Thus, recycling of cotton stalks as compost can reduce the dependency on FYM apart from reducing inorganic fertilizer use and soil health enhancement. Some studies have reported on the conversion of cotton ginnery wastes into organic manure. However, no studies have reported about the composting of cotton stalks. We conducted field studies over three years on Vertisols to evaluate the impact of integrated use of microbially enriched cotton stalk compost (ECC) as an alternative to FYM along with mineral fertilizers in cotton production. Additionally, we evaluated an option of using native microbial consortia as seed treatment and studied their synergistic effect along with ECC application on cotton yield, fibre quality, and soil properties. Results indicated that the substitution of FYM with ECC in integrated nutrient management (INM) produced effects similar to that of FYM use in enhancing cotton yield, fibre quality and soil properties. Application of ECC + inorganic fertilizers (referred as modified nutrient management practice—MINM) increased boll numbers (8.4%) and boll weight (9.9%) compared to the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF). Treating cotton seeds with microbial consortia increased seed cotton yield (SCY) by 12.8% (2815 kg ha−1) compared to untreated seed plot (2496 kg ha−1). Averaged over the years, INM (3344 kg ha−1) followed by MINM (3190 kg ha−1) recorded significantly higher SCY than RDF (2835 kg ha−1), which were 18 and 13% more than the RDF, respectively. MINM practice enhanced cotton fibre properties (staple length and bundle strength), soil nutrient status (major, secondary and micronutrients), and biological activities (microbial biomass carbon and soil enzymes), which were on par with INM. The use of ECC in INM is estimated to reduce 33% costs on nitrogenous, phosphatic, and potassic fertilizers, and can save approximately US$ 38 ha−1 on inorganic fertilizers and manures in the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and INM practice.
Highlights
Agricultural crop residues are the most promising and renewable feedstock materials for several agricultural and industrial applications [1]
Our results indicate that enriched cotton stalk compost (ECC) can act as an effective substitute for farmyard manure (FYM) in integrated nutrient management (INM) practice for cotton production
The increased soil biological activities in and INM and MINM treatments compared to the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) indicate the synergistic effects of organic (FYM and ECC) and chemical fertilizers on soil physical and chemical attributes and their impact on microbial functions including microbial biomass carbon and soil enzyme activities
Summary
Agricultural crop residues are the most promising and renewable feedstock materials for several agricultural and industrial applications [1]. The cost of fertilizer and manure alone contributes to 9.6% and 3.2%, respectively, of the total cost of cultivation in India [7] This has prompted researchers to search for alternatives to synthetic fertilizers is imperative considering increasing costs of fertilizers and the importance of maintaining the biological soil productivity producing a safer produce sustainably [8, 9]. Alternate approaches such as crop residue recycling and green manuring are recommended, most often, agricultural crops are grown without recycling of waste generated on the farm. The volume of agricultural waste, which is presently treated as an environmental pollutant can be, very well used as a feedstock for on-farm production of organic manure and returning of these wastes as bioenriched compost, will improve soil nutrient status especially the soil organic matter [11, 12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
