10.57647/ijrowa-2zzr-s758

Management of fruit and vegetable waste through composting along with naturally occurring minerals

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  • Qurat-ul Ain*1,
  • Shakeel Ahmad1,
  • Muhammad Usman Jamshaid1,
  • Muqarrab Ali2,
  • Hira Safdar3,
  1. Department of Soil & Environmental Sciences, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
  2. Department of Climate Change, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
  3. Department of Soil Science, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Management of fruit and vegetable waste through composting along with naturally occurring minerals

Received: 2024-10-27

Revised: 2024-07-30

Accepted: 2024-12-16

Published in Issue 2025-06-01

Copyright (c) -1 Qurat-ul Ain, Shakeel Ahmad, Muhammad Usman Jamshaid, Muqarrab Ali, Hira Safdar (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ain, Q.- ul, Ahmad, S. ., Jamshaid, M. U. ., Ali, M. ., & Safdar, H. . (2025). Management of fruit and vegetable waste through composting along with naturally occurring minerals. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.57647/ijrowa-2zzr-s758
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Abstract

Purpose: This project was designed to prepare a nutrient-enriched growth medium by composting FVW and polyhalite, rock phosphate, and elemental sulfur through bin composting. And for the better use of FVW and creating a complete nutrient composition for plants to support their growth and development.

Method: An OWM was prepared by mixing FVW, poultry litter, cow dung, soil, and grass clippings in a 1: 1: 1: 1: 0.5 ratio (by weight), respectively. Then, composting of OWM was done in 20-liter plastic bins with four concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) of polyhalite along with one control (without polyhalite) to prepare five growth media (GM1, GM2, GM3, GM4, and GM5). After the characterization of composts, a pot trial was carried out to evaluate their effect on spinach.

Results: It was observed that the physio-chemical properties of PEC vary. Maximum pH (6.9) was recorded with the T2. The highest C/N ratio (44%), P (0.55 ppm), K (1.005%), and Fe (280 ppm) was observed with T5. However, T1 increased the temperature (48oC), organic matter (30.80%), total organic carbon (17.80%), N (0.69%), and Mn contents in the compost. Maximum Cu (16 ppm) concentration was recorded with T3, while T4 shows maximum Zn (22 ppm) contents. T4 showed the highest germination percentage and fresh weight, while T5 showed maximum dry weight during spinach cultivation.

Conclusion: Overall, PEC boosted spinach growth, with T4 and T5 showing best results. However, the spinach growing season ended before assessing all chemical and physiological aspects. Nonetheless, this enriched compost provides complete nutritional composition essential for plants.

Research Highlights

  • Nutrient-enriched growth medium from fruit and vegetable wastes (FVW) and polyhalite.
  • Optimal composting ratios for polyhalite-enriched compost (PEC) using organic waste mixture.
  • Significant variations in physio-chemical properties of polyhalite-enriched compost.
  • OWM + 3% polyhalite (T4) shows highest germination percentage and fresh weight in spinach.
  • Polyhalite-enriched compost (PEC) enhances spinach growth and germination.

Keywords

  • Organic waste mixture,
  • Nutrient-enriched compost,
  • Growth media,
  • Polyhalite enriched compost,
  • Waste recycling
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