SNAA MISTRY, ANKIT CHAUDHARY AND RAMAR KRISHNAMURTHY*
C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Uka Tarsadia University, Gopal Vidyanagar, Maliba Campus, Bardoli- Mahuva Road, Bardoli, Ta. Mahuva, Surat-394 350 (Gujarat), India
(e-mail: krishnamurthy@utu.ac.in; Mobile: 98253 49279)
(Received: November 21, 2024: Accepted: December 9, 2024)
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the conversion of institutional paper waste and fruit peels into biofertilizers to enhance the growth and yield of economically significant crops. Pre-treated paper waste underwent vermicomposting with farmyard manure and the earthworm species Eisenia fetida. The resulting compost was rigorously analyzed for macro and micronutrient content, earthworm mortality rates and heavy metal presence. The optimal compost formulation consisted of 2 kg of paper waste, 1 kg of cow dung and 1 kg of cardboard with 3 replicates, yielding 3.1 kg of nutrientrich vermicompost (N: 0.71%, P: 0.27%, K: 1.26%) per 12 kg of initial waste, all free of heavy metals. Fruit peel biofertilizers from oranges and sweet limes were quantified and applied in plant growth experiments, which significantly enhanced soil nutrient levels. Specifically, mustard responded positively to sweet lime peel at 5g/100 ml and orange peel at 1g/100 ml, while wheat benefited from orange peel at 1g/100 ml and sweet lime at 5g/100 ml. Fenugreek showed improved nutrient uptake with orange peel at 4g/100 ml and sweet lime at 5g/100 ml. The study identified 5g/100 ml as the most effective concentration for enhancing nutrient content across all tested crops, highlighting the potential of these biofertilizers to contribute essential nutrients for sustainable agriculture.
Key words: Biofertilizers, institutional paper waste, fruit peels, vermicomposting, nutrient analysis