Growth response of Amaranthus hybridus after amendment with bio-organic fertilizer developed from food wastes
Authors
Abstract
Purpose: In order to reduce food insecurity, the use of organic fertilizers is steadily gaining traction in crop development, especially in areas where the continued use of inorganic fertilizers poses serious environmental problems in addition to being extremely expensive for local farmers. The study looked at how Amaranthus hybridus responded to being amended with bio-organic fertilizer made from food waste.
Method: Food waste was gathered from food vendors; processed, sun-dried and blended. Dry cow dung was added to the waste mixture (ratio, 1:4), after which was liquefied with Greek yoghurt, Baker’s yeast in water, and cassava effluents, and then left to biodigest in a biodigester for 50 days. Removal, dewatering, and sun drying followed. After 1%w/w of the developing fertilizers was added to the soil, 0.05g of A. hybridus seeds were sown by broadcast.
Results: Results after 7 weeks revealed significant improvements in plant output, especially in soils treated with yeast-based fertilizers. In these soils, plant height as well as leaf area and number increased by more than 40% in comparison to the control, which had no soil amendments. The 1% w/w yeast-based fertilized plants showed no chlorosis or other physical foliar anomalies in comparison to other treatments. Similar to how plants sowed in the yeast-based bio-organic fertilized soils had 11.24 g of total dry weight while plants sown in the control had 2.17 g.
Conclusion: This study therefore concluded that organic fertilizers, especially those augmented with Baker’s Yeast, have the potential to enhance the growth and yield of vegetables.
Research Highlights
- Development of organic fertilizer from the food wastes was achieveable.
- Results after 7 weeks revealed significant improvements in plant output, especially in soils treated with yeast-based fertilizers.
- There was enhancement in plant height as well as leaf area and number by more than 40% in comparison to the control, which had no soil amendments.
- The 1% w/w yeast-based fertilized plants showed no chlorosis or other physical foliar anomalies in comparison to other treatments.
- There was higher level of rhizoacidity in the fertilizer-exposed plants compared to the control
Graphical Abstract
