Influence of Dead Sheep Compost Material Using Aerobic Technique on the Growth of Leafy Vegetables in Kuwait under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

Composting of dead sheep is a new venture in Kuwait targeted at effective disposal of the carcasses and utilizing it as nutrient for soil to enhance agricultural crop productivity. There are two phases of mortality composting (a. production of compost material and b. utilization of compost material enhancing Kuwait soils). Mortality composting has proven more viable and cost-effective solution for proper recycling and utilization of dead sheep. Attempts were taken to exploit the compost generated from dead sheep as substrate for two major leafy vegetable (Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea cv. Blue star) and leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. Romaine-ROUGE d’HIVER). Mortality sheep compost was prepared with fine, medium and coarse saw dust as substrate as well as using a rotary ecodrum composter and used along with Peatmoss: Perilite: Sawdust in the ratio 1:1:1. Commercially available compost was used as standard for comparison and soilless medium without compost served as the control. The results revealed that plants grown in compost prepared by Ecodrum provided better results in terms of plant characteristics in crops viz., Chinese Kale and leaf lettuce. Ecodrum provided a solution for increasing the yield of crop plants grown in container pots. However, further chemical analysis is required for improving soil quality and enhanced soil productivity in large-scale.