Preparation of Banana Residue Based Compost and its Nutrient Analysis

Abstract

Crop residues being organic in nature are rich source of organic carbon; essential nutrients need to be recycled for nutrient cycling sustaining soil quality & health and reduced environmental pollution. An experiment was carried out for preparation of banana crop residue based compost enriched with other organic sources and its nutrient analysis. Three recipes of the banana residues for compost making, designed in randomized complete block design (RCBD) were made in piles separately prepared i.e. consisting banana leaves (BL) with sugar cane press mud (SPM), goat manure (GM) and poultry manure (PM). The compost prepared was subjected to laboratory analysis for electrical conductivity, pH, organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and C/N ratio. The results indicated that the maximum EC (6.12) was recorded for C2 and minimum EC (5.67) was recorded for C1. The results revealed that banana crop residue enriched with other organic sources hastened the composting process and significantly increased the organic matter (OM) (55.6%), organic carbon (36.35%), total nitrogen (TN) (2.77%), P (1.75%) K value (3.05%). Further, results revealed that C1= (Banana leaves with sugar cane press mud) compost blend was optimum and best, because this blend has rich nutrient contents. It was concluded that higher OM%, OC%, TN, P, K were observed for C1= Banana crop residues enriched with sugar cane press mud.