Vol.7 No.1 (2012)

INFLUENCE OF FRESH, COMPOSTED AND VERMICOMPOSTED PARTHENIUM AND POULTRY MANURE ON THE GROWTH CHARACTERS OF SESAME (SESAMUM INDICUM)

Vijayakumari, B. (1,*), and Hiranmai, Y.R. (2)

Abstract
A goal of sustainable agriculture is to maintain a non-negative trend in productivity while maintaining soil quality. The objective of the present study was to determine the sustainability of organic cropping systems and utilisation of the weed Parthenium hysterophorus and an organic product poultry manure. The influence of fresh, composted and vermicomposted Parthenium and poultry manure on the growth characters of sesame (Sesamum indicum) were observed. Manures were mixed with pot soil at the rate of 35.0g/pot of fresh manures, 26.25, 35.0 and 43.75g/pot composted and vermicomposted Parthenium and poultry manure individually. The recommended dose of NPK/hectare was calculated and added to pots. The impact of fresh, composted and vermicomposted Parthenium and poultry manure were assessed on 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) in terms of growth attributes and compared with control soil without manures and NPK. The germination percent of sesame was more in composted and vermicomposted manures applied pots compared to the control and NPK. The longest roots of sesame were in composted poultry manure (T11 and T9) on 30 and 60 DAS and in composted Parthenium (T3) on 90 DAS. Shoot length was more in T12 (vermicomposted poultry manure) on 30 DAS, T9 composted poultry manure on 60 DAS, T5 (vermicomposted Parthenium) on 90 DAS. Maximum fresh and dry weights were in T7 (vermicomposted Parthenium) on 30 and 90 DAS and in T9 (composted poultry manure) on 60 DAS. Maximum vigour index was observed to be more in composted poultry manure T10 on 30 and 90 DAS and in T11 on 60 DAS. The growth attributes of sesame were improved by manure application compared to the control. The significant differences in biometric parameters might be due to different treatments. The difference in the release of nutrients from different manures might have influenced the plant biometric characters. The observed parameters were improved by the treatments which could be attributed to the positive effects of composts and vermicomposts on physical, chemical and biological properties of soil which in turn influence the crop. Organic matter resources need to be evaluated to meet plant nutrient requirements. Recycling of wastes can transform them to useful composts for plant growth and soil health. In the present study, the use of weed biomass and poultry manure in compost was beneficial for the growth of sesame.

Keywords: sesame, growth attributes, Parthenium, poultry manure, compost, vermicompost.

 

 

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