Chemical characterization of composts prepared with diversified agro wastes

Comparative effectiveness of fungal consortium comprising four mesophilic fungal strains, Aspergillus awamori (F18), Aspergillus nidulans ITCC 2011, Trichoderma viride ITCC 2211 and Phanerochaete chrysosporium NCIM 1073, was evaluated on the decomposition of bagasse trash, mustard stover, maize stover, pearl millet stover and paddy straw. Evaluation of parameters like pH, EC, C/N ratio, humus and germination index of finished compost revealed that pearl millet waste was most effectively degraded resulting in C/N ratio, 12.54; humus content; 12% and germination index, 78%. It was followed by paddy straw compost with C/N 13.41, humus content 9% and germination index 72%. Mustard stover was most resistant to microbial attack. Although maize stover and bagasse trash compost had the acceptable C/N ratio, but were comparatively poor in humus and showed phytotoxicity.