Improving the Agronomic Value of Paddy Straw Using Trichoderma harzianum, Eisenia fetida and Cow Dung
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Date
2023-07
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Abstract
The aimofthepresentstudywastoassesstheeffects of inoculation of Trichoderma harzianum, Eisenia fetida and cow dung on the physicochemical quality of paddy straw composting which was
carried out for 90 days. The different treatment groups were Paddy straw (T0), Paddy straw + Cow
dung (T1), Paddy straw + Cow dung + Eisenia fetida (T2), Paddy straw + Cow dung + Trichoderma
harzianum (T3), Paddy straw + Cow dung + Eisenia fetida + Trichoderma harzianum (T4). The ratio of
cowdungandpaddystrawwas2:1. Amongalltreatments, T4 was identified as the best treatment for
decomposing the paddy straw as it recovered the nutrients within the recommended levels of a high
quality product. The consortium of Trichoderma harzianum, Eisenia fetida and cow dung lowered the
total organic carbon (TOC)andC:Nratioby28.8%and33.1%,respectively, atpH6.5. TheincreaseinN
(0.87%), P (0.47%), K (2.66%), Ca (0.033%), Mg (0.056%) and Na (0.42%) was significant in T4 treatment.
Themicronutrients, namely Cu(47.9 ppm), Fe(1128ppm)andZn(500ppm),alsoshowedasignificant
increase in this treatment, i.e., T4. Therefore, results suggested that combinatorial composting by
Trichoderma harzianum, Eisenia fetida and cow dung is quite promising in the decomposition of paddy
straw to obtain quality compost in a short time. Furthermore, this study will help in the sustainable
management of paddy straw with concomitant reduction inenvironmental pollution caused by the
open burning of paddy straw.