Crop residue recycling ln generating nutrient rich organic manures: Experiences from rice based integrated farming system

Two different experiments on crop residue recycling were carried out at the Integrated Farming System Research Station (IFSRS), Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Agricultural University from 2018 to 2020. Paddy straw, the major crop residue from rice based cropping systems was utilised as resource base for both the experiments. Different paddy straw composts generated from the first experiment through vermicomposting, co-composting and microbial composting techniques were evaluated for use as potting media component in a pot culture trial with bhindi as test crop. Composts generated in the second experiment through co composting of paddy straw with cow dung and poultry manure in the ratio 8:1:1 and with goat manure and poultry manure in the ratio 4:1:1 (both on volume basis mixing of inputs) were rich in plant nutrients. These composts when substituted for the FYM component of potting media, recorded enhancement in the uptake of major nutrients,fruit yield and quality of okra. Use of these composts as ingredient of potting media recorded higher net returns and B: C ratio as well. In the second experiment, one month old partially withered paddy straw was bio recycled through co -composting strategies using nitrogen resources cow dung, poultry manure, goat manure and glyricidia leaves or their combinations. The different composts generated were evaluated in field culture for organic nutrition of fodder maize var. African Tall. Co-composting of paddy straw with goat manure and poultry manure (4:1:1 ratio on volume basis) produced nutrient rich compost and on substituting this compost for chemical fertilisers on N equivalent basis, higher fodder yield, net returns and B : C ratio were recorded comparable with the integrated nutrient management package for fodder maize recommended by KAU.