Utilization of Halophytes as a Source of Organic Manure

Abstract

Organic farming is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances environmental quality including biodiversity, bio-geo-chemical cycles and soil floral and faunal activities. One of the energy resources developed during recent years are the application of organic sources such as biogas slurry, blue green algae, compost, green manure farmyard manure, vermicompost and seaweed liquid fertilizer. During decomposition, these organic manures yield many organic compounds and organic acids as well as antibiotic substances as an intermediate product. Mangrove/Halophytes forest has an important ecological and socio economic value to man. In India, Tamil Nadu has a coastline of 950 km. Extensive mangrove wetlands are located in Pichavaram of Cuddalore district and Muthupet of Thanjavur district. It is reported that the nutrient values of halophytes were higher when compared to green manures (glycophytes). The objective of the present study is to highlight the efficacy of halophytic compost which are normally available in coastal areas on growth and yield parameters in pulse varieties. Various combinations of halophytic composts used, Suaeda compost + farmyard manure + phosphate solubilising bacteria treatment showed an increased in biomass and yield, number of root nodules and microbial activities when compared other halophytic compost and control. This study shows the feasibility of using halophytic composts in the coastal area to improve soil fertility and productivity.