This study investigated the feasibility of using fresh activated sewage sludge as inoculum for the microbial valorization of segregated municipal solid waste and evaluated the quality of organic soil amendment generated. Organic fraction of municipal solid waste, which consisted of vegetative (vegetable, fruit and flower) wastes was seeded with activated sewage sludge and processed by rapid aerobic microbial treatment. Efficacy of microbial valorization process and quality of final product were assessed by physico-chemical analysis. Suitability of final product was assessed with regard to heavy metal content, pesticide residues, microbiological quality and phytotoxicity. Quality of the soil amendment generated was compared with the control product generated with a commercial microbial inoculum. Phytotoxicity experiments indicated the stimulatory effect of sewage sludge seeded soil amendment on plant growth but inhibition was observed in closed growth test due to the evolution of gaseous phytotoxic agents. The study suggests that segregated municipal solid waste can be effectively valorized with activated non-dewatered sewage sludge as inoculum and the quality of soil amendment generated was comparable to compost intended for unrestricted applications.

A field study was conducted to find out the effect of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on physico-chemical quality of organically grown spinach. Spinach is low in calories and is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals like iron. In order to deliver enhanced nutrition within a food-based system, it is necessary to increase the nutritional value of the food. By enhancing nutrient dense crops, severe deficiencies can be eliminated in developing countries. Hence, one of the ways by which this goal could be achieved is through natural method, possibly with organic farming and biofortification. The treatments tested in the study were: farmyard manure (FYM), phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), FYM + PSB, FYM + PSB + Citrate, 100% recommended dosage of fertilizer (RDF) and no chemical. After 6 weeks of cultivation, spinach crop was harvested and the crop cut data were analysed to assess the effect of treatments on physical and phytochemical parameters viz., yield weight, vitamin C, β-carotene, minerals and antinutritional factors. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that, the treatments were significant on phyto-chemical parameters. However, the treatments FYM, FYM + PSB and FYM + PSB + Citrate fared better compared to 100% RDF.