Improving the Agronomic Value of Paddy Straw Using <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i>, <i>Eisenia fetida</i> and Cow Dung
Neetu Sharma | Jagjeet Singh | Bijender Singh | Vinay Malik
The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of inoculation of <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i>, <i>Eisenia fetida</i> and cow dung on the physicochemical quality of paddy straw composting which was carried out for 90 days. The different treatment groups were Paddy straw (T<sub>0</sub>), Paddy straw + Cow dung (T<sub>1</sub>), Paddy straw + Cow dung + <i>Eisenia fetida</i> (T<sub>2</sub>), Paddy straw + Cow dung + <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> (T<sub>3</sub>), Paddy straw + Cow dung + <i>Eisenia fetida</i> + <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i> (T<sub>4</sub>). The ratio of cow dung and paddy straw was 2:1. Among all treatments, T<sub>4</sub> was identified as the best treatment for decomposing the paddy straw as it recovered the nutrients within the recommended levels of a high-quality product. The consortium of <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i>, <i>Eisenia fetida</i> and cow dung lowered the total organic carbon (TOC) and C:N ratio by 28.8% and 33.1%, respectively, at pH 6.5. The increase in N (0.87%), P (0.47%), K (2.66%), Ca (0.033%), Mg (0.056%) and Na (0.42%) was significant in T<sub>4</sub> treatment. The micronutrients, namely Cu (47.9 ppm), Fe (1128 ppm) and Zn (500 ppm), also showed a significant increase in this treatment, i.e., T<sub>4</sub>. Therefore, results suggested that combinatorial composting by <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i>, <i>Eisenia fetida</i> and cow dung is quite promising in the decomposition of paddy straw to obtain quality compost in a short time. Furthermore, this study will help in the sustainable management of paddy straw with concomitant reduction inenvironmental pollution caused by the open burning of paddy straw.
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