ABSTRACT<\/p>
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>A new composting process known as Novcom composting method is being used for on-farm production of compost at West Jalinga Tea Estate (presently largest certified organic tea estate in Assam, India). The method has been developed by Dr. P. Das Biswas, an Indian Scientist who has been associated with organic research for the last decade. Novcom compost produced under this method is being used for soil management in the garden. The composting process enables production of mature compost within a period of 21 days. Quality of Novcom compost and its post soil application effectivity in terms of soil development were studied during the period 2006-7 to 2012-<\/em><\/p>- The samples were analyzed for physicochemical properties, nutrient content, ready nutrient supplying potential, microbial status, stability, maturity and phytotoxicity status; and the values obtained for the different parameters were within the standard suggested reference range. Soil microbial population increased by 1,000 to 10,000 times, apart from significant increase recorded in case of soil organic carbon (49.4%) and soil fertility (Available-N: 13.6%, P2<\/sub>O5<\/sub>: 5.8% and K2<\/sub>O: 9.5%). Post soil application effectivity of Novcom compost was documented both in terms of significant soil quality development as well as yield sustenance at West Jalinga T.E. which had been applying the compost @ 3 ton\/ha\/year; over a period of seven years. The study revealed that Novcom composting method could serve as an alternate option for production of good quality on-farm compost in order to enable effective soil management.<\/em><\/li><\/ol>
Keywords<\/strong>: Biodegradation, Maturity, Phytotoxicity, Self- generated microbes, Soil development<\/p>INTRODUCTION<\/p>
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>Compost is considered to be the most effective and therefore widely recommended for soil quality rejuvenation. Moreover, with the increasing necessity for organic agriculture to ensure soil and crop sustainability, importance of compost increases many folds. There is a common belief that addition of compost can never harm the soil, plant or water ecosystem but such an assumption is not correct. Immature compost when applied to the soil continues to decompose and produce odorous gases and products such as ammonia in its immediate surroundings that are often toxic to plants. Immature compost can induce high microbial activity and subsequent misappropriation of oxygen. In the presence of such inhibitory environment, plants typically reduce their metabolic rate and build up their resistance. Immature compost with a high carbon\/ nitrogen ratio (C:N) cause nitrogen immobilization, starve roots of oxygen due to high microbial activity, support growth of pathogens as well as create high levels of organic acids. Simultaneously a low C\/ N ratio in compost can create high ammonia concentrations in soil resulting in ammonium toxicity in plants. Numerous organic amendments have also exhibited direct or indirect inhibitory effect on seed germination.<\/p>
In the tea growing zone of Cachar (Assam, India) where soil erosion, low organic carbon content and the inherently low soil microbial population (due to acidic environment) are the major problems; relevance of compost towards soil quality development can be well understood. However, the quantitative requirement of compost for meeting the crop nutritional requirement and to ensure effective soil management is, becoming a critical issue for the organic tea gardens. Such huge quantity of compost is difficult to produce on-farm using the limited resources of tea gardens and their off-farm procurement in turn causes economic burden on the garden owners. However, soil, crop and economic sustainability can be ensured even under minimal quantity application only if the focus is shifted towards compost quality. Hence, evaluation of input\/ compost quality and its effectively post soil application should be the regulating criteria in order to ensure soil and crop sustenance under organic cultivation. The present study was aimed to evaluate the quality of compost produced under Novcom composting method along with assessment of its effectively post soil application in acid tea soils.<\/p>
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