On-Farm Composting of Agricultural Waste Materials for Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan

Author:

Hashim Sarfraz1ORCID,Waqas Muhammad1ORCID,Rudra Ramesh P.2,Akhtar Khan Alamgir1,Mirani Asif Ali3,Sultan Tariq3,Ehsan Farrukh1,Abid Muhammad1,Saifullah Muhammad1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Agricultural Engineering, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan 66000, Pakistan

2. School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada

3. Director Agri. Mechanization, Agricultural Engineering Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Agriculture is the economic backbone of Pakistan. 67% of country’s population resides in rural areas and primarily depends on agriculture. Pakistan's soils are poor in OM and have a low C : N ratio, and the overall fertility status is insufficient to support increased crop yields. Compost is an excellent alternative solution for improving soil OM content. However, this excellent alternative supply in Pakistan has yet to be used. Mass volumes of leaves, grass clippings, plant stalks, vines, weeds, twigs, and branches are burned daily. In this study, different compost piles (P1, P2, and P3) of compost were made using different agricultural and animal waste combinations to assess temperature, pH, and NPK. Results revealed that P3 demonstrated the most successful composting procedure. The temperature and pH levels throughout the composting process were determined in a specified range of 42–45oC and 6.1–8.3, respectively. Total nitrogen content ranged from 81.5 to 2175 ppm in farm compost. Total phosphorus concentrations range from 1.33 to 13.98 ppm, and potassium levels, on the other hand, range from 91.53 to 640 ppm in farm compost. The overall nitrogen concentration grew progressively between each pile at the end of a week. The varied concentrations revealed that adding various forms of agricultural waste would result in a variation in the quantity of NPK owing to microbial activity. On-farm composting has emerged as an effective technique for the sustainability of agricultural activities, capable of resolving crucial problems like crop residues and livestock waste disposal. Based on this study’s results, the pile (P3) combination shows the best NPK value performance and is recommended for agricultural uses to overcome the OM deficiency.

Funder

Agricultural Linkages Program

Publisher

Hindawi Limited

Subject

General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Environmental Science

Reference53 articles.

1. A review on technological approach for obtaining nutrient from solid waste;A. Karthika,2022

2. Fertility status of Sargodha district soils;M. A. Zaka;Pakistan Journal of Scientific Research,2004

3. Application of green compost for improvement in soil chemical properties and fertility status;G. Sarwar;Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences,2010

4. Integrated use of organic manures and fertilizers in rice-wheat cropping system;R. Ahmad;Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences,2001

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