Utilization of Distillation Waste–Based Vermicompost and Other Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Improving Production Potential in Geranium and Soil Health

Abstract

Vermicompost (VC) produced from distillation waste of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), farmyard manure (FYM) produced from animal excreta mixed with pine needle (Pinus sp.), and biofertilzer (Azotobacter) were utilized for this experiment. The plant growth attributes, biomass, and oil yield of geranium were significantly increased with integrated nutrient supply, and maximum increase was found in T₈ treatments (N₁₀₀P₆₀ K₆₀ + 5t VC). Soil organic carbon (C_org) significantly increased by 4.2% to 81.8% in T₄ and T₈ treatments, respectively, over the control. Data obtained on total nitrogen (N_t) and available N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) clearly showed that the integrated nutrient supply considerably improved the soil health and sustainability. The soil respiration and microbial biomass C (C_mic) and N (N_mic) were increased by the manures according to the application rate. The C_mic accounted for 1.8 to 2.7% of the soil C_org content and microbial N accounted for 3.9 to 5.8 % of N_t under different treatment combinations.

Keywords:

• Geranium
• integrated nutrient management
• organic manures
• soil microbial biomass carbon
• soil organic carbon
• soil respiration
• total nitrogen

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the director of CIMAP for encouragement and providing facilities, and to H. P. Singh for statistical analysis.