Production and characterization of organic manure from liquorice residues

Abstract

In present investigation, organic manure was produced and characterized from liquorice residues using activated Effective Microoganism (AEM). The liquorice waste residues were fermented for the period of 6 months in the presence of activated AEM at the rate of 2.5% and 5% of total fermented mixture. Nitrogen (62.5 g) was used per 10 kg of liquorice and moister was maintained at 55–60% during fermentation. The AEM manure production efficiency was evaluated on the basis of pH, C/N ratio, electrical conductivity (EC) and mineral contents. The final pH of organic manure was 6.2, C/N ratio reduced from 13.5 to 6.5, EC and the mineral contents were increased of composted liquorice. Results revealed that the AEM are effective to produce organic manure from agricultural waste matter since the organic manure physico-chemical properties were within the permissible limit and AEM could be used for the production of compost liquorice. Moreover, this technique can also be extended to other agricultural waste materials for the production of organic manure.