Biochemical, morphological, and yield responses of lady's finger plants to varying ratios of palm oil mill waste (decanter cake) application as a bio-fertilizer

Abstract

Purpose A study was conducted to characterize the 'Madhyam culture' (Excel Crop Care Limited.), an aerobic-composting microbial consortium culture, and understand composting dynamics, product quality and use in crop production vis-à-vis vermi-composting (using earthworms). Methods 16S rDNA analysis was used to characterize aerobic-composting culture. Aerobic-composting and vermi-composting technologies were evaluated to decompose sorghum straw and dung biomass (80:20 ratio; primed with 0.5% urea and 4% rock phosphate) to study days to maturity and composting dynamics in terms of changes in temperature and microbial population. Compost quality was tested for macro-, micro-nutrients and C:N ratio, and evaluated for food production in on-farm trials. Results 16S rDNA analysis screened sixteen bacterial isolates-eight related to genus Bacillus, three to each Halobacillus and Staphylococcus, one to each Microbacterium and Streptomyces. The population of bacteria was 4.5 cfu ml −1 at 10 −7dilution. Aerobic-and vermi-composts matured in around 50 and 60 days, respectively. Aerobic-composting throughout recorded relatively higher bacterial population, and higher temperatures during the initial phase. Aerobic-compost tested for high nutrient (1.55% N, 0.93% P, 1.00% K) content and stable C:N ratio (10.3) compared to vermi-compost (1.11% N, 0.43% P, 0.96% K and C:N ratio of 11.7). Field evaluation of both composts showed yield benefit and saving of chemical fertilizers up to 25%. Conclusions Aerobic-composting (using microbial consortium culture), like vermi-composting, proved to be an effective technology with advantage of no requirement to maintain ambient living conditions in lean periods as is required for earthworms in vermi-composting, but needs more energy/labor for biomass turnings.

The effect of oil palm decanter cake on the accumulation of nutrients and the stomatal opening of Solanum melongena (brinjal) plants

“…Another example is the use of palm boiler ash for the growth of eggplant, okra and pepper (Adjei-Nsiah and Obeng. 2013 exception of our previous study on lady's finger plants (Embrandiri et al 2013). Therefore this work contributes to knowledge on the employment of decanter cake for the growth of brinjal plants in Malaysia.…”

Influence of Treated Palm Oil Mill Effluent Sludge on Maize (Zea mays) Growth Performance and Gas Exchange

“…In general, Malaysia has produced about half the organic waste of the palm oil industry and it has not been fully utilized. Embrandiri et al (2013) reported that palm oil effluent, palm kernel cake, decanter cake, empty fruit bunch and palm kernel shell have the potential to be used as an organic amendment to the soil. Many studies have indicated that plant production has benefited from the application of organic matter (Agrawal et al 2010).…”

“…Many studies have indicated that plant production has benefited from the application of organic matter (Agrawal et al 2010). Some of the studies used decanter cake as an organic amendment in Okra (Embrandiri et al 2013), tannery sludge with capsicum plants (Silva et al 2010) and cowpea (Silva et al 2013). However fewer studies have reported the use of POME sludge on maize growth performance and gas exchange.…”

“…Morphological analysis showed that the organic amendment positively affects plant growth. Organic amendment from palm oil was a suitable substitute for inorganic fertilizers (Embrandiri et al 2013). The positive effect on the crop growth was observed due to high nutrient content in the organic matter.…”

Shear strength and root length density analyses of Entisols treated with palm oil mill effluent sludge

“…Generally, Malaysia had produced about half of organic waste from oil palm industry, which has not been fully utilized. According to Embrandiri et al, (2013) palm oil mill effluent (POME), palm kernel cake, decanter cake, empty fruit bunch and palm kernel shell were potential to be processed and used as an organic matter amendment for land application. Recently, some studies were using decanter cake with lady's finger (Embrandiri et al, 2013), tannery sludge with capsicum plants (Silva et al, 2010), cowpea and olive mill waste with lettuce and chicory (Kelepesi and Tzortzakis, 2009) as their organic matter materials for soil amendment.…”