Groundnut Shells and Toddy Palm Shells Recycling Through Vermicomposting Technology and its Efficacy on Growth and Yield Attributes of Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba L.) Taub

Abstract

Farming generates numerous types of agricultural wastes to the environment such as crop residues, animal waste, poultry waste etc,. those are landfilled or burning creates environmental pollutions. The aim of the study was to determining the growth and yield performance of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) Taub on groundnut shells and toddy palm shells based vermicompost with Trichoderma asperelloides, microbial consortium and Eisenia fetida assistance. Pot experiments of plants were grown on six different combination of groundnut shells and toddy palm shells composts and one control treatment. During 25, 50 and 75 DAS (Days After Sowing) growth parameters and 90 DAS yield characters of cluster bean was carried out under pot culture respectively. The combined application of toddy palm shells composted with consortium of microorganisms and earthworm (T6) achieved the maximum growth parameters such as root length (21.9cm), shoot length (84.8cm), number of leaves (46.3), number of nodules (4.6), number of flowers (24.6), number of pods (6.6), fresh weight (17.912g) and dry weight (2.684g) of plant on 75 DAS of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) Taub. During the 90th day the same treatment achieved the yield characters like number of pods (8.0), length of pod (16.6cm), number of seeds/pod (10.3), yield/plant (45.384g), fresh weight (5.673g) and dry weight (1.496g) of pod compared to the control. Based on the results T6 more suitable for growth and yield characters of cluster bean followed by T3 respectively. The study suggested that, the organic fertilizer prepared from groundnut shells and toddy palm shells with microbial consortium and Eisenia fetida assistance promotes the plant development and yield attributes of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub. simultaneously, reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers.