Abstract
Composting is regarded as profitable and ecological way to lessen the biodegradable waste dumping in landfills.. In this study, the effects of pit (1 cu yd) composting at Composting Site of CEES, PU on properties of adjoining soil, guava (Psidiumguajava) and Kachnar (Bauhiniavariegata) trees; assessed on the basis of selected soil properties and morphological features of trees. The results showed that the compost prepared by pit composting at the composting site had following properties: bulk density 0.75±0.06g/cm3, water holding capacity 38.67±7.72 %, pH 8.49± 0.31 and electrical conductivity 1.43±0.58, total Kjeldahl nitrogen 3.18±0.99, total organic carbon 0.39±0.12, organic matter 0.67± 0.06, calcium 1.04± 0.31, sodium 0.25±0.15, and potassium 130.11±6.94. All the quality parameters of compost were in the typical range of standard set by U.S Composting Council. The soil in the adjoining areas of composting site showed significant improvement in the quality than soils located far away from the composting time. It was mainly because of flow of runoff from pit composting site, as well as, due to lateral flow of compost tea from the compost pit to the surrounding soils. Both guava and kachnar trees showed highly significant increase in plant growth as compared to similar trees growing at soils far away from the composting site.
Highlights
Materials and MethodsSampling site The analysis was conducted at the backyard of the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES), University of the Punjab, Lahore
Introduction and Review of LiteratureAccording to World Health Organization, solid waste comprises of discarded and vain components from different sectors like domestic, trade, commercial, industrial, agricultural and public etc
The purpose of providing the compost was to study its effects on the plant growth and soil properties at the compost site, areas nearby compost site and the areas far away from compost site
Summary
Sampling site The analysis was conducted at the backyard of the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES), University of the Punjab, Lahore. The study was basically conducted to study the effect of composting on two plant species namely Guava (Psidiumguajava) and Kachnar (Bauhinia variegate). Plant Measurement During the plant analysis at the study site, the mean diameter, mean height, stem width, branch width, approximate number of branches and approximate number of leaves of all the trees were taken to estimate the effect of composting on their growth. In order to study the effects of composting on growth of Kachnar (Bauhinia variegate) trees, the height of each tree was taken by considering it in two halves. Determination of Ca, Na&K in soil For Ca, Na & K determination, 500 mL soil was taken in 100 mL beaker and 500 mL deionized water was added in it It was mixed with spatula until became saturated and left it for 12 hour.
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