Abstract

Composting of papaya wastes: An aerobic composting trial using different amendments

Author(s): N.D.Shrinithivihahshini

An experiment was carried out in Tamilnadu Agricultural University (T.N.A.U) to test the biodegradability of stems and leaves of papaya (Carica papaya). For this Papaya wastes were composted along with nutrients and microbial inocula, both bymixing and withoutmixing with the other wastes such as banana pseudostem and vegetable wastes. Biomass, after collection, were chopped to a size of 2.5 cm, and were laid in layers, sandwiched by nutrients and microbial consortia, in an alternatemanner. The inter nutrient layers were formed, using Rockphosphate, Urea and Poultry droppings. Microbial agents such as Trichoderma viride, Pleurotus sp and Bacillus subtilis were used to perform the composting. All the materials were arranged in heaps, of 1 meter height and allowed for biodegradation. For further enrichment, composts were mixed with, Azotobacter chroococum at the end. Fromthe experiment, it was revealed that the addition of succulent and nitrogen rich, biomass improves the degradablity of fibrous papaya wastes.