The physicochemical characteristics of eco-enzyme has been carried out and the obtained results are summarized in Table 2. The observed pH value of 4.26 ± 0.18 indicates the eco-enzyme sample to be acidic side which may be due to the fact that the fruit waste composed of organic matter that turns into a volatile solid during the fermentation process along with the release of many organic acids making the broth acidic. The obtained pH value can be well compared with the study carried out by Javalkar et al. 2019, Rani et al 2019 observed eco-enzyme pH to be slightly more acidic i.e 3. However, the conductivity value of 1.49 ± 0.05 S/cm of the assessed samples indicating it to be higher side thus corresponds to the presence of large amount of inorganic salts and minerals in the broth. However, the TDS, TSS and TS concentration was found to be 6600, 9360 and 15,960 mg/L respectively.
The determined TSS and TDS values can be compared with similar investigations being carried out by Galintin et al. 2021. The COD concentration represents the amount of organic matter present in a sample. In present study the COD concentration of prepared co-enzyme has been found to be 4224 mg/L thus indicating large amount of organic content present in the waste used for the present study. Rasit and Kaun 2018, conducted a study and reported that kitchen waste particularly for orange peel eco-enzyme contains high amount of organic matter with a COD concentration as high as 96,000 mg/L.
Table 2
Physicochemical analysis of eco-enzyme prepared in present study
S. No | Parameters | Eco-enzyme |
1. | Temperature (°C) | 32 |
2. | pH | 4.26 ± 0.18 |
3. | Conductivity (µS/cm) | 1.49 ± 0.05 |
4. | TDS (mg/L) | 6600 |
5. | TSS (mg/L) | 9360 |
6. | TS (mg/L) | 15960 |
7. | COD (mg/L) | 4224 |
The characteristics of compost prepared using different dilutions of eco-enzyme are compared and its effect on the physiology of plant species Phaseolus vulgaris has been studied (Table 3 and Table 4). Temperature is one of the most important parameter responsible for degradation of organic waste as high temperature eliminates the amount of pathogen in the composting pile. During the study period the maximum temperature ranged from 60–55°C, while later piles attained ambient temperature ranging from 26–29°C. The maximum rise in temperature has been observed in compost prepared using sawdust and rice husk with concentration of 10% eco-enzyme.
The moisture content of the prepared compost in all the assessed samples was found to be greater than 50%. However, the moisture content in control sample was found to be 40 ± 0.078%, while the compost prepared using rice husk with 10% of eco-enzyme was found to be having moisture content of 48.43 ± 0.60%. Also, rice husk has been used as a substrate in the composting process contains a very low moisture content and therefore, required regular addition of water during the composting process. pH is another important parameter that generally fluctuates during the composting process. This may be due to the fact that due to biological activity and production of gasses the temperature rise and fall occurs throughout the composting process. However, the pH value of the final prepared compost was found to be within neutral rage of 6.51 ± 0.03–7.88 ± 0.50 in all the samples. Electrical conductivity is such a parameters that indicates the presence of salts and minerals and high value indicates higher nutrition content in the compost. In the present study the maximum electrical conductivity value of 0.86 ± 0.02 Scm− 1 has been assessed in compost prepared from rice husk using 20% eco-enzyme. However, the conductivity value in control sample is found to be 0.11 ± 0.001 Scm− 1.
Table 3
Summary of compost characteristics prepared using different concentration of eco-enzyme
S. No | Parameters | S.D compost | S.D + 10% Ecoenzyme | S.D + 15% Ecoenzyme | S.D + 20% Ecoenzyme | R.H Compost | R.H + 10% Ecoenzyme | R.H + 15% Ecoenzyme | R.H + 20% Ecoenzyme | Control |
1. | Moisture Content (%) | 53.4 ± 0.12 | 52.6 ± 0.46 | 50.36 ± 0.62 | 54.66 ± 0.52 | 57.65 ± 0.22 | 48.43 ± 0.60 | 51.63 ± 0.49 | 52.3 ± 0.44 | 40 ± 0.078 |
2. | pH | 7.88 ± 0.50 | 7.47 ± 0.24 | 7.62 ± 0.26 | 7.72 ± 0.20 | 7.60 ± 0.09 | 7.28 ± 0.06 | 7.52 ± 0.17 | 7.69 ± 0.15 | 6.51 ± 0.03 |
3. | Electrical Conductivity (Scm− 1) | 0.30 ± 0.10 | 0.73 ± 0.03 | 0.78 ± 0.02 | 0.79 ± 0.01 | 0.20 ± 0.01 | 0.52 ± 0.02 | 0.81 ± 0.01 | 0.86 ± 0.02 | 0.11 ± 0.001 |
4. | Organic Carbon (%) | 9.40 ± 0.04 | 18.05 ± 0.45 | 8.74 ± 0.22 | 5.64 ± 0.14 | 15.14 ± 0.10 | 17.58 ± 0.44 | 9.87 ± 0.25 | 5.92 ± 0.15 | 1.39 ± 0.127 |
5. | Organic Matter (%) | 16.21 ± 0.04 | 31.50 ± 0.45 | 15.07 ± 0.22 | 9.72 ± 0.14 | 26.10 ± 0.10 | 30.31 ± 0.44 | 17.02 ± 0.25 | 10.21 ± 0.15 | 2.40 ± 0.150 |
6. | Total Nitrogen (%) | 0.65 ± 0.04 | 1.02 ± 0.04 | 0.86 ± 0.61 | 0.60 ± 0.43 | 0.77 ± 0.07 | 0.84 ± 0.08 | 0.74 ± 0.53 | 0.42 ± 0.003 | 0.28 ± 0.007 |
7. | Available Phosphorus (%) | 0.027 ± 0.12 | 0.002 ± 0.04 | 0.006 ± 0.03 | 0.009 ± 0.01 | 0.019 ± 0.14 | 0.006 ± 0.03 | 0.007 ± 0.05 | 0.0074 ± 0.02 | 0.012 ± 0.02 |
8 | Total Phosphorus (%) | 0.062 ± 0.05 | 0.015 ± 0.01 | 0.067 ± 0.001 | 0.076 ± 0.04 | 0.034 ± 0.03 | 0.055 ± 0.02 | 0.063 ± 0.01 | 0.068 ± 0.05 | 0.028 ± 0.001 |
9. | C:N ratio | 15 | 18 | 11 | 10 | 20 | 21 | 13 | 14 | 9 |
10. | Total Sodium (%) | 0.62 ± 0.05 | 0.83 ± 0.09 | 0.45 ± 0.04 | 0.31 ± 0.02 | 0.34 ± 0.03 | 1.02 ± 0.05 | 0.87 ± 0.02 | 0.41 ± 0.02 | 0.28 ± 0.05 |
11. | Total Potassium(%) | 1.98 ± 0.036 | 2.25 ± 0.2 | 2.30 ± 0.17 | 1.61 ± 0.076 | 1.02 ± 0.027 | 2.33 ± 0.01 | 1.75 ± 0.23 | 1.67 ± 0.024 | 0.16 ± 0.013 |
12. | Volatile Solids (%) | 46.34 ± 0.63 | 48.94 ± 4.82 | 49.31 ± 7.50 | 49.82 ± 9.02 | 55.37 ± 0.13 | 56.28 ± 1.68 | 57.45 ± 1.92 | 54.02 ± 2.64 | |
13. | TOC (%) | 25.07 ± 0.63 | 27.19 ± 4.82 | 27.39 ± 7.50 | 27.68 ± 9.02 | 30.07 ± 0.13 | 31.26 ± 1.68 | 31.92 ± 1.92 | 30.64 ± 2.64 | |
12. | Total Chromium (mg/L) | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.007 | 0.01 | 0.0008 | 0.002 | 0.046 | 0.01 | |
13. | Nickel (mg/L) | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.002 | 0.009 | 0.007 | 0.003 | 0.029 | 0.024 | |
14. | Copper (mg/L) | 0.22 | 0.09 | 0.06 | 0.12 | 0.004 | 0.001 | 0.05 | 0.014 | |
15. | Zinc (mg/L) | 0.81 | 6.31 | 3.08 | 5.95 | 0.94 | 0.34 | 3.06 | 8.12 | |
16. | Cadmium(mg/L) | 0.0003 | 0.001 | 0.0006 | 0.001 | 0.002 | 0.0003 | 0.0007 | 0.001 | |
17. | Lead (mg/L) Pb | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.0005 | 0.0004 | 0.002 | 0.001 | |
The decomposed organic matter plays a vital role in plant growth. In present study after composting process, the maximum organic matter was found in ricehusk compost with 10% eco-enzyme 28.37 ± 0.41%, while the minimum organic matter of 2.40 ± 0.15% was found in the control. Organic nitrogen is another important parameter required for the plant cells for their growth and reproduction. The maximum organic nitrogen concentration of 1.02 ± 0.04% has been observed in prepared sawdust compost with 10% eco-enzyme. The minimum organic nitrogen concentration of 0.28 ± 0.007% has been assessed in control.
The concentration of available phosphorous in all the variations of prepared compost is observed to be slightly lower and lies in the range of 0.002 ± 0.04 − 0.027 ± 0.12 mg/g. The concentration of total phosphorous in all the prepared composts ranged between 0.015 ± 0.01–0.076 ± 0.13 mg/g. C:N ratio is an important attribute in the composting process that enhances or retards the degradation process of an organic matter. In the present study C:N ratio in all the prepared compost samples ranged between 9–21, while the maximum C:N ratio of 21 has been observed in rice husk compost prepared by using with 10% ecoenzyme. The C:N ratio of 20, 14 and 13 has been observed with compost prepared using rice husk with eco-enzyme concentration of 0, 15 and 20% respectively. However, the C:N ratio of 15, 11 and 10 has been computed with compost prepared using sawdust with 10, 15 and 20% eco-enzyme with C:N ratio of 9 in the control.
Heavy metal analysis in the present study included total chromium all the values were under permissible limit, ranged 0.001–0.008 mg/L. Nickel ranged 0.003–0.024 mg/L while Copper was found very low in ricehusk with 10% eco-enzyme compost 0.001mg/L while sawdust compost without eco-enzyme exhibited 0.22mg/l as maximum copper. Zinc is one of the important micro element for the plant growth minimum 0.34 mg/L in ricehusk compost with 10% eco-enzyme while sawdust compost had a higher value of Zn with maximum 6.31 mg/L, Total cadmium and lead are toxic to the environment both the elements were found to be within the prescribed standards limits.
Table 4
Variation in plant growth parameters under different concentration of prepared eco-enzyme for plant species Phaseolus vulgaris
S.No | Parameters | S.D compost | S.D + 10% Ecoenzyme | S.D + 15% Ecoenzyme | S.D + 20% Ecoenzyme | R.H Compost | R.H + 10% Ecoenzyme | R.H + 15% Ecoenzyme | R.H + 20% Ecoenzyme | 10% Eco-enzyme | Control |
1. | Germination (%) | 90% | 100% | 96% | 96% | 93% | 100% | 100% | 93% | 96% | 87% |
2. | Shoot Length (cm) | 30.06 ± 0.14 | 31.67 ± 1.63 | 29.6 ± 1.49 | 27.05 ± 1.26 | 29.6 ± 0.16 | 32.49 ± 1.42 | 27.45 ± 1.45 | 26.07 ± 2.28 | 32.22 ± 0.14 | 24.60 ± 0.45 |
3. | Root Length | 4.51 ± 0.10 | 4.86 ± 0.20 | 4.11 ± 0.2 | 3.67 ± 0.25 | 4.01 ± 0.10 | 5.57 ± 0.60 | 4.16 ± 0.48 | 3.55 ± 0.12 | 4.61 ± 0.34 | 3.53 ± 0.09 |
4. | Biomass (gm) | 131.69 ± 0.03 | 276.81 ± 0.29 | 221.84 ± 0.07 | 190.61 ± 0.28 | 105.50 ± 0.01 | 282.60 ± 0.32 | 252.60 ± 0.22 | 193.72 ± 0.35 | 267.71 ± 0.22 | 72.34 ± 0.01 |
5. | Vigor Index(cm) | 481 | 517 | 425 | 379 | 430 | 590 | 443 | 357 | 463 | 328 |
6. | Ascorbic acid | 1.63 | 1.76 | 1.72 | 1.40 | 1.62 | 1.95 | 1.45 | 1.45 | 1.87 | 1.35 |
7. | Caretenoid | 0.54 | 0.78 | 0.49 | 0.48 | 0.47 | 0.88 | 0.56 | 0.49 | 0.76 | 0.35 |
8. | Chlorophyll | 5.96 | 6.25 | 5.54 | 5.3 | 5.75 | 6.86 | 5.97 | 5.23 | 6.69 | 5.00 |
Further, the prepared compost was being utilized as manure for the growth of plant species Phaseolus vulgaris. Physiological parameters of Phaseolus vulgaris could help to accomplish the nutrition value of the compost. The parameters required for enhancing the nutrition value of the compost are germination %, shoot length, root length and vigor index. Germination % helps to analyze the phytotoxic characteristics of compost as high phytotoxic value could retard the seedling emergence. In the present study all the prepared compost samples possess suitable germination %. It has been observed that both the compost produced using sawdust and ricehusk with 10% eco-enzyme possess 100% germination index. However, the compost manufactured using sawdust with15% and 20% eco-enzyme showed 96% germination index while the ricehusk compost with 20% eco-enzyme possess 93% germination index. The both the compost without ecoenzyme showed germination index of 90% for sawdust and 935 for ricehusk. The germination index of 10% eco-enzyme was found to be 96%, while the lowest germination index % of 87% was observed in the control.
The shoot length is another important parameter that helps to identify the growth prosperity of the plants. The maximum shoot length of 31.67 ± 1.63 cm was observed in the compost prepared using sawdust with 10% eco-enzyme, while the minimum shoot length of 24.60 ± 0.45 cm was assessed in the control. The root length of 5.57 ± 0.60 cm was observed to be maximum for compost manufactured using sawdust with 10% eco-enzyme, while the minimum root length of 3.53 ± 0.09 cm was found in control.
The vigor index is an important parameter that corresponds the speed of germination and also indicates the potential for rapid and uniform emergence of plants. In the present study, maximum vigor index of 587 cm has been assessed in the compost produced using sawdust with 10% eco-enzyme. However, the vigor index of 517 cm, 443 cm and 357 cm with compost prepared using rice husk with eco-enzyme of 10. 15 and 20% respectively. Also the vigor index value of 481 and 379 cm has been observed in the compost prepared using sawdust with eco-enzyme concentration of 15 and 20% respectively with a vigor index value of 328 cm in the control. The obtained result clearly indicates that the saw dust with 10% ecoenzyme provides best quality of compost possessing all the required parameters including C:N ratio, germination index, organic nitrogen content, decomposed organic matter content and vigor index at optimum values and concentrations. The substrate rice husk and sawdust had a very high content of lignin and cellulose leading to slow degradation.
The present study will be helpful for the policy makers in utilizing the agricultural wastes rich in lignin and get rid of such wastes as the farmers will be encouraged for composting process rather than burning it. This will be having two-fold advantage as the environment will get rid of such wastes and the same can be utilized as resource. Also, the produced compost possess better quality in terms of parameters such as pH, moisture content, decomposed organic matter, organic nitrogen, phosphorus, germination index, shoot length, root length and vigor index as compared to compost prepared conventionally.