Composting and Organic Fertilizers

Amid growing global interest in sustainable and inclusive development, indigenous entrepreneurship and grassroots innovations are increasingly recognized as powerful yet underexplored pathways for community resilience. This study investigates how such innovations contribute to the revitalization of tribal economic systems, with a specific focus on Indian tribal communities. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study draws on semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations conducted with 45 participants across diverse tribal regions. Findings highlight that grassroots innovations grounded in traditional knowledge foster economic development and cultural continuity. These innovations also offer pragmatic solutions in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, and energy. However, their wider diffusion is constrained by financial limitations, geographical isolation, and cultural resistance. The research highlights the importance of creating enabling policy environments and providing institutional support to overcome these barriers. By demonstrating the contemporary relevance of indigenous knowledge systems in addressing global challenges such as climate change and inequality, the study advances the sustainable development discourse. Theoretically, it extends the Diffusion of Innovations framework by incorporating socio-cultural dimensions pertinent to tribal contexts. It also advocates for longitudinal research and examines how emerging technologies, such as blockchain and AI, could enhance market access for indigenous entrepreneurs.

Fil: Fiasconaro, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnologico para la Industria Quimica. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnologico para la Industria Quimica; Argentina

Agripreneurship development is a process of fostering entrepeneurship within the agricultural sector.Hence, this paper investigates the interplay of Indigenous Technological Innovations and Agripreneurship development as a pathway to sustainable food security. Indigenous technological innovations such as organic composting, seed preservation, and traditional pest control represent culturally rooted and environmentally sustainable practices that can can adoptable by agritech startups. Three hypotheses were raised and tested at 5% level of significance. A quantitative approachusing survey strategy with a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire was employed to collect data from farmers in the Northeast Nigeria. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 1146 farmers from the population frame. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for the analysis. The findings indicated that organic composting and traditional pest control has positive and statistically significant effect on indigenous technological innovations. The study concluded that integrating indigenous and modern innovations fosters inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agripreneurship. It is therefore, recommended that government should increase support for indigenous innovation technology by including it in the curriculum from primary school level. Furthermore, indigenous intelligence be given recognition and sponsorship, whilst investing in capacity-building programs for the indigenous and rural people like the Agricultural Development Program of old.

This study investigated the impact of varying levels of NPK fertilizer on the vegetative growth, yield, and economic return of Amaranthus spp. in Ngetta Ward, Lira City East Division. The general objective was to assess how different NPK rates influence plant performance, while specific objectives included evaluating effects on vegetative growth, yield, and profitability. An experimental design was implemented, applying NPK fertilizer at 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 kg/ha, and measuring parameters such as plant height, stem height, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area index, yield, and economic returns. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression models. The results showed that NPK fertilization significantly enhanced vegetative growth, with fertilized plants exhibiting up to 55% greater height, 45% more leaves, and higher leaf area index compared to unfertilized controls. Yield nearly doubled under optimal fertilizer application, while economic returns were highest at 500 kg/ha, demonstrating that fertilizer investment is cost-effective. The findings align with the Law of the Minimum and nutrient uptake theory, highlighting the critical role of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in promoting biomass accumulation, photosynthetic efficiency, and reproductive development. This study confirms that balanced NPK application is essential for maximizing Amaranthus productivity and profitability. Based on these findings, it is recommended that farmers apply NPK fertilizer at recommended rates, extension services train farmers on proper fertilizer management, policymakers ensure access to affordable quality fertilizers, and further research be conducted to identify the most costeffective NPK rates for smallholder production systems. Overall, the study underscores that strategic nutrient management enhances growth, yield, and economic returns, supporting sustainable and profitable Amaranthus cultivation.

Composting is a vital sustainable practice that offers small-scale farmers an effective way to recycle organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendments. This paper outlines a systematic approach to composting, tailored specifically for small-scale agricultural operations. It begins by emphasizing the importance of composting in enhancing soil fertility, reducing waste, and promoting environmental sustainability. The study then provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to the composting process, covering essential materials, optimal conditions, and best practices for efficient decomposition. Additionally, common mistakes in small-scale composting are identified to help farmers avoid pitfalls and maximize efficiency. The paper further highlights the transformative benefits of composting, including improved crop yields, reduced dependency on chemical fertilizers, and enhanced soil health. By adopting these composting techniques, small-scale farmers can achieve greater agricultural productivity while contributing to ecological conservation. This research serves as a practical manual for farmers and agricultural practitioners seeking to implement sustainable composting methods.

El Sargazo se ha vuelto una problemática ambiental debido a su crecimiento exponencial, generando contaminación del aire (por descomposición) y agua, generando daños al ecosistema. Por ello, se han desarrollado distintas estrategias con el propósito de reducir los desechos generados, además de reutilizar el material biológico, entre los que se encuentran; productos cosméticos, materiales de construcción, biocombustibles y fertilizantes orgánicos.

El presente proyecto, utiliza el sargazo para realizar un fertilizante orgánico, para ser utilizado en cultivos de cilantro, rábano y arroz. El estudio del sargazo es fundamental, puesto que, lejos de ser un problema para el turismo y una afectación a las especies, podría dar paso a la obtención de una materia prima para elaborar productos novedosos.
Utilizar el sargazo como base para producir un fertilizante orgánico no solo ofrece una reducción en el impacto ambiental, si no que también, permite disminuir los costos actuales en el tratamiento de cultivo; además, la aplicación del fertilizante orgánico resulta en una alternativa novedosa que combate el uso de fertilizantes químicos utilizados en el sector agrícola.

This study aimed to verify the efficiency of NANOTECH FOLIAR FERTILIZER on pechay (Brassica rapa), particularly on its growth and yield performance. The study was conducted at Children Joy Foundation, INC. Indangan, Davao City, with a duration of 2 months which started from November to December 2022. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used as the experimental design which was composed of six treatments, and replicated three times. The treatments were: (T ) Control, (T ) RR of inorganic NPK fertilizer 1 2 based on soil analysis, (T ) RR of inorganic NPK + 0.5 rr of NANOTECH FOLIAR FERTILIZER , (T ) RR of 3 4 inorganic NPK + rr of NANOTECH FOLIAR FERTILIZER , (T ) RR of inorganic NPK + 1.5 rr of NANOTECH 5 FOLIAR FERTILIZER, and (T ) rr of NANOTECH FOLIAR FERTILIZER. Data on growth and yield components 6 were gathered and analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and differences between treatments were compared using Honest Significant Difference (HSD) Test. Results showed that the growth and yield performance of pechay were significantly affected by ESSEGRO NANOTECH FOLIAR FERTILIZER in terms of root length and pechay yield, but not plant height, leaf length and width and number of leaves. This study indicated that T3 -(RR of inorganic NPK + 0.5 rr of ESSEGRO NANOTECH FOLIAR FERTILIZER) significantly increased pechay yield by 100 % more compared to the control or no application. It was further confirmed that T4 -( RR of inorganic NPK + rr of ESSEGRO NANOTECH FOLIAR FERTILIZER) had the longest root length which was substantially greater than T2 = RR of inorganic NPK fertilizer based on soil analysis. This implies that supplementing pechay with ESSEGRO NANOTECH FOLIAR FERTILIZER improves growth and yield performance.

The waste management sector accounts for 19% of greenhouse gases produced by the island of Mauritius, and is second to the energy sector which contributes about 77% of total emissions. Significant mitigating measures are being sought to reduce the impact of the waste sector. The main greenhouse gas produced from waste in Mauritius is methane from landfill disposal. Among the different alternate waste management scenarios proposed, home composting is one strategy to achieve carbon reductions in the sector.  However, this target can only be achieved if the composting process is properly controlled.  Objectively, a lumped parameter model was used to analyse the set of variation parameters to achieve greatest reduction in methane through optimal composting.   The composting matrix was modelled as a point source. Mass balance equations were coupled with heat transport equations and reaction kinetics equations to determine the optimal set of parameters for efficient composting of yard was...

Increasing water stress and growing urbanization force a greater number of people to use wastewater as an alternative water supply, especially for irrigation. Although wastewater irrigation in agriculture has a long history and substantial benefits, without adequate treatment and protective measures on farms and in markets, use of wastewater poses risks to human health and the environment. Against this background, the World Health Organization (WHO) published Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater in agriculture and aquaculture, in 2006. The Sanitation safety planning: manual for safe use and disposal of wastewater, greywater and excreta -a step-by-step risk-based management tool for sanitation systems -was published by WHO in 2016 to put these guidelines into practice. Sanitation safety planning (SSP) can be applied to all sanitation systems, to ensure the systems are managed to meet health objectives. This paper summarizes the pilot-testing of the SSP manual in India, Peru, Portugal, Philippines, Uganda and Viet Nam. Also reviewed are some of the key components of the manual and training, and an overview of SSP training and dissemination efforts and opportunities for implementation in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Lessons learnt during the piloting phase show how reducing health risks can be surprisingly easy, even in a low-income setting, especially when combining many smaller measures. The SSP approach can make an important contribution towards Sustainable Development Goal target 6.3, by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, thereby halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.

Increasing water stress and growing urbanization force a greater number of people to use wastewater as an alternative water supply, especially for irrigation. Although wastewater irrigation in agriculture has a long history and substantial benefits, without adequate treatment and protective measures on farms and in markets, use of wastewater poses risks to human health and the environment. Against this background, the World Health Organization (WHO) published Guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater in agriculture and aquaculture, in 2006. The Sanitation safety planning: manual for safe use and disposal of wastewater, greywater and excreta -a step-by-step risk-based management tool for sanitation systems -was published by WHO in 2016 to put these guidelines into practice. Sanitation safety planning (SSP) can be applied to all sanitation systems, to ensure the systems are managed to meet health objectives. This paper summarizes the pilot-testing of the SSP manual in India, Peru, Portugal, Philippines, Uganda and Viet Nam. Also reviewed are some of the key components of the manual and training, and an overview of SSP training and dissemination efforts and opportunities for implementation in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Lessons learnt during the piloting phase show how reducing health risks can be surprisingly easy, even in a low-income setting, especially when combining many smaller measures. The SSP approach can make an important contribution towards Sustainable Development Goal target 6.3, by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, thereby halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.

The community service carried out aims to increase the knowledge and understanding of farmers in the processing of agricultural waste, especially composting rice straw. Community service is also held to increase farmers' knowledge regarding the role of rice straw compost in improving soil fertility. The method used is socialization or counseling as a form of knowledge transfer to farmers. The socialization involved 20 members of the Subak Telun Ayah group, Gianyar Bali. The results show that due to limited knowledge of the benefits of rice straw for soil fertility, farmers tend to burn the agricultural waste produced. Farmers also do not believe in the benefits of compost so they prefer the use of inorganic fertilizers.

Indonesia is one of the biggest countries in the world in term of fish production yielded about 6.11 million tones in 2016. However, about 30-60% of those are considered as waste that might pollute the environment. Utilizing the fish waste as organic fertilizer is believed as a promising solution. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fish waste based organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of sweetcorn. An experiment had been done in Sukaraja Sub-district, Bengkulu Province. There were 5 dosage levels of fish waste organic fertilizer, namely 0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 t/ha, and as a comparison, we used 200 kg/ha of NPK (chemical fertilizer).The research was designed in Completely Randomized Design in 4 replications. The data were analyzed by Anova and continued with LSD 5% test as pair comparison is SAS application. The main results of this research confirmed that fish waste organic fertilizer had high nutrient contents of N, P, and K. Moreover, this research showed that the lowest dosage of fish waste organic fertilizer (2.5 t/ha) had a similar effect to that of NPK 200 kg/ha in terms of plant height, shoot biomass, root biomass, and economical yield. We concluded that fish waste organic fertilizer has a great potential to be used in low dosage, especially for sweetcorn organic cultivation.

Amaranth is a general-purpose plant whose leaves and grains are tasty and of high nutritional value. It is a vegetable plant grown in Nigeria with huge benefits, mostly for its vegetative parts used in soup making, stew, salad porridge and for garnishing. Low fertility of native soils is hindering its production in Nigeria. The use of chemical fertilizer to increase yield is effective only within a few years, demanding consistent use on a long term basis. The negative health and environmental impacts made inorganic fertilizers not only detrimental but also financially ineffective and beyond the reach of the poor farmers who still dominate the Nigerian agricultural sector, theses have necessitated the use of organic manure, a readily available alternative, which proves more environmentally friendly. A factorial pot experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University Kano to study the effect of variety and different levels of poultry...

Pests, plant pathogens, and zoonotic diseases are becoming increasingly common and severe, posing serious concerns to global agricultural systems and food security. Climate change, international trade, and ecological disruptions compound these dangers by allowing new hazards to spread and arise more rapidly. This research review explores how predictive analytics and bio-surveillance technologies are used to improve agricultural resilience in three different regions: the United States, Africa, and Latin America. According to the findings, the United States leads in advanced infrastructure for integrated biosurveillance, with AI-driven monitoring systems used in both crop and livestock sectors. Africa and Latin America, despite limited infrastructure, display innovation through certain community-based reporting systems and mobile diagnostic platforms. In conclusion, data-driven biosecurity is an important approach for strengthening global agricultural resilience to future threats.

Evaluación de los efectos de la dosificación de compost para contribuir a la restauración de suelos y la productividad del cultivo de maíz (Zea mays) en la Hacienda Pairumani (Cochabamba-Bolivia) Evaluation of the effects of compost dosing to contribute to soil restoration and productivity of corn (Zea mays) crops at Hacienda Pairumani (Cochabamba-Bolivia

An experiment was conducted at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture. & Technology, Meerut (U.P.) during 2005-06 and 2006-07, prepare vermicompost from different farm wastes materials to explore the possibility of using organic fertilizers for sustainable agriculture and minimize the use of chemical fertilizers in the crop production and reduced the soil pollution. The experiment was consisted of five different treatments in the ratio of 2:1 viz., V1-Normal vermicompost from buffalo dung (BD), V2 (Press mud + BD dung), V3 (Moong straw + BD), V4 (Paddy straw + BD) and V5 (Wheat straw + BD). Eisenia foetida (Earthworm) was used for the preparation of vermicompost 100 g worms mbed in 100 kg raw materials. The recovery of vermicompost from these materials was found ranged from 64 to 68% (Table 2). During the preparation of vermicompost, the temperature of different heap raised up to 46.7C to 48.7C within 30 to 49 days and finally stabilized at 30.0 to 32.2 within 63-86 day...

Large volumes of agricultural waste and residue are produced by agricultural activities in the tropics annually. Burning is still a common method of disposal, although it pollutes the environment. Vermicomposting is an alternate technique for managing agricultural waste. This study was conducted to ascertain the yield and particular chemical characteristics of vermicompost produced by earthworm breeding in various agricultural wastes. Agricultural waste including mushroom culture by-products, cow dung, oil palm branch residue, and sugarcane bagasse were used as raising base of African Nightcrawler earthworms (Eudrillus eugeniae). The completed vermicompost yields and selected chemical properties were determined. Earthworms in cow dung produced the maximum amount of vermicompost in terms of dry weight, followed by those in mushroom culture by-products, oil palm branch residue, and bagasse. The largest amounts of humic acid, nitrogen (N), and potassium (K) were found in vermicompost from cow dung. The maximum electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) were found in vermicompost from oil palm branch residue. Bagasse vermicompost had the greatest pH, phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) values. Vermicompost derived from different feedstocks will produce different total nutrients contents and vermicompost quality. As a result, cow dung is recommended to be used as the primary material and mixed with specific other agricultural waste products as raising base materials to generate high grade vermicompost.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is a vital leguminous crop renowned for its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and improve soil fertility. Despite its significance, cowpea productivity in Nepal remains low due to physical, biological, and socioeconomic constraints, coupled with inadequate integrated nutrient management (INM) practices. This study was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024 at NARC, Tarahara, Sunsari, to evaluate the impact of combined applications of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of cowpea variety 'Sarlahi Tane.' The experiment followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments replicated four times, including various combinations of 75% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) with farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure, vermicompost, and pig manure, alongside control and 100% RDF treatments. Results revealed significant variations among treatments. Treatment T2 (75% RDF + 25% poultry manure) consistently outperformed others in plant height, trifoliate leaf count, and primary branches across all growth stages, followed by T3 (75% RDF + 25% vermicompost). The control (T6) exhibited the lowest growth and yield parameters. This study highlights the importance of integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers to optimize cowpea productivity and promote sustainable agriculture.

El proyecto que se presentará a continuación, parte del problema que implica tener grandes cantidades de biomasa marina de arribazón en las playas de Yucatán, específicamente en el puerto de progreso, Yucatán, México; con base a ello se plantea aprovechar este residuo antes mencionado como base de una alimentación de lombrices californianas (Eisenia foetida) para su crecimiento y reproducción. El presente trabajo representa por naturaleza una investigación cuantitativa donde a partir de datos estadísticos como la media, desviación estándar y varianza de los resultados, se evaluó las diferentes concentraciones sargazo/Materia orgánica en el crecimiento y reproducción de las lombrices californianas.

The Government of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has launched the Building a Better Tomorrow-Youth Initiative for Agribusiness (BBT-YIA) programme, which aims to transform agriculture into a business and create over 1.5 million jobs for youth and women by the year 2030. However, little is known about the existing environment for the programme's sustainability. This study uses primary and secondary information to assess the adequacy of the existing legal framework in Tanzania for sustainable implementation of the BBT-YIA programme. Primary data were collected through key informant interviews, physical observations, and official interviews. Official interviews were held with personnel responsible for the BBT-YIA programme in the Ministry of Agriculture. Secondary data were collected through a review of various electronic and hard copy documents including published articles on youth empowerment. The findings show that the existing legal framework in Tanzania provides inadequate support for the sustainability of the BBT-YIA programme. Only national and international development plans were found to be well aligned with the BBT-YIA. Sustainable land and financial allocation, wider agricultural impact, positive youth economic growth, and structured implementation plans were found to lack specific legal backing. To this end, the study recommends instituting training and mentorship programmes, access to land and resources, market access and support services, research and innovation, environmental stewardship, and monitoring and evaluation.

To provide insights into plant N accumulation and yield under aerated and drip irrigation, a greenhouse tomato experiment was conducted with six treatments, including three fertilization types: inorganic fertilizer (NPK); organic fertilizer (OM); chemical (75% of applied N)+organic fertilizer (25%) (NPK+OM) under drip irrigation (DI) and aerated irrigation (AI) methods.  Under AI, total soil carbon mineralization (Cmin) was significantly higher (by 5.7–7.0%) than under DI irrigation.  Cmin in the fertilizer treatments followed the order NPK+OM>OM>NPK under both AI and DI.  Potentially mineralizable C (C0) and N (N0) was greater under AI than under DI.  Gross N mineralization, gross nitrification, and NH4+ immobilization rates were significantly higher under the AINPK treatment than the DINPK treatment by 2.58–3.27-, 1.25–1.44-, and 1–1.26-fold, respectively.  These findings demonstrated that AI and the addition of organic fertilizer accelerated the turnover of soil organic matter and N transformation processes, thereby enhancing N availability.  Moreover, the combination of AI and organic fertilizer application was found to promote root growth (8.4–10.6%), increase the duration of the period of rapid N accumulation (ΔT), and increase the maximum N accumulation rate (Vmax), subsequently encouraging aboveground dry matter accumulation.  Consequently, the AI treatment yield was significantly greater (by 6.3–12.4%) than under the DI treatment.  Further, N partial factor productivity (NPFP) and N harvest index (NHI) were greater under AI than under DI, by 6.3 to 12.4%, and 4.6 to 8.1%, respectively.  The rankings of yield and NPFP remained consistent, with NPK+OM>OM>NPK under both AI and DI treatments.  These results highlighted the positive impacts of AI and organic fertilizer application on soil N availability, N uptake, and overall crop yield in tomato.  The optimal management measure was identified as the AINPK+OM treatment, which led to more efficient N management, better crop growth, higher yield, and more sustainable agricultural practices.

A field experiment was carried out in a non-calcareous sandy loam soil of subtropics using crop resi- due and root biomass of preceding rainfed rice to study the soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and nutrient uptake by succeeding irrigated rice. Decomposition of incorporated biomass was rapid initially and the residue-amended plots showed higher peaks for CO2 fluxes. N transformations were faster during the initial period, indicating dominant microbial activities in the 0-2.5 cm soil depth. Fluctuations of mineral N content, where NO3- level was smaller, revealed the influence of irrigation events, split N applications and crop uptake. Crop residue of 20 cm height along with root biomass and inorganic fertilizers depicted significantly the highest grain yield of rice (8 t ha-1) and a maximum apparent added N recovery, ANR (62.7%). Incorporation of additional crop residue (40 cm height) showed a poor ANR (1.3%) probably due to N immobilization. Relative contribution of root biomass t...

Half of the quantity of waste products produced by the households is made of food remainders, vegetable and garden remainders and more of 50% of waste products are organic and they arrive in waste products storehouses, in cesspools or they are burned, causing an important pollution. To obtain quality compost, we need to lead the compost process, in accordance with the dimension, the humidity, the structure and the composition of residual materials, so that these are available to the micro-organisms fast and efficiently, making up an ideal substratum rich in nutrients for their development. The decomposition agents need the azote to build the cells and some food remainders, ripped grass and green leaves. Chips of wood, dry leaves and sawdust are rich in carbon and they constitute another energy source for the decomposition agents. The azote sources are designated as the "green" elements and the carbon sources are the "brown" ones. In a pile of compost, it is effic...

Palm oil production is a major agricultural industry in Malaysia, in which palm oil mill effluent (POME) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) are considered as major waste products from the palm oil industry. These waste products create an environmental hazard and entail high disposal costs every year. Composting is a biologically based process which is practiced to stabilize the organic matter for soil amendment (producing compost) and to protect the environment from the detrimental effects of these waste products. This study reviews the composting process of EFB and POME as a single substrate and/or their mixture by using potential filamentous fungi that are especially lignocellulolytic and antibiotic (in a matured stage) in nature within several effective parameters, for example, C/N ratio, moisture content, pH, temperature, etc. Several studies record the mature composting process as being 60 days. In most cases, temperature and moisture content was maintained up to 70 °C and 60-75%, respectively. In addition, this study reviews EFB and POME with their constituents for an efficient composting process.

Agricultural practices such as fertilization considerably influence soil carbon dioxide (CO 2) fluxes that cause climate changes. The study aims to test the influence of various organic (vermicompost, VC, and rabbit manure, RM) and bio (Azotobacter and Azospirillum) fertilizers in addition to incubation times on CO 2 flux, carbon (C) mineralization kinetic, and some soil chemical properties. The dual exponential equation was the best one to describe carbon mineralization kinetics compared to the 1 st and 2 nd order equations. Carbon half-lives were resided by 18.98, 1.97, 2.00, 1.89, and 2.53 years for control, VC without and with bio, RM without and with bio treatments, respectively. The results exposed that applying VC and RM without or with bio-fertilizer reduced soil reaction (pH) that differ than control treatment after 2 months incubation. Applying VC and RM caused a significant increase in soil salinity (EC) compared to the control. Available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were significantly enhanced with adding different fertilizers compared to pre-treated soil. It is found that adding organic and biofertilizers improved fertility and soil quality.

The growth of the agri-food industry has resulted in a strong increase in its sludge generation. This type of waste is often produced in high amounts, concentrated in certain areas, and shows characteristics similar to those of municipal sewage sludge (except for the absence of heavy metals). Composting has been widely studied as a viable alternative for the treatment and recycling of municipal sewage sludge, but little information is currently available concerning the composting of agri-food sludge. Thus, the aim of this work was to increase our knowledge of how the vegetable-derived sludge produced by the agri-food sector can be managed using different co-composting strategies. The work was concerned mainly with the characteristics of the bulking agents used (type and particle size) and their effects on the development of the process and on the potential added value of the composts obtained. For this, four composting piles were prepared using agri-food sludge and two bulking agents (vine shoot prunings and pepper plant pruning waste) at two particle sizes (< 1 cm and < 3 cm). The evolution of the process and the final properties of the composts obtained were studied using classical analytical methods together with advanced instrumental methods (thermal analysis and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy). In addition, their physical characteristics and potential suppression of phytopathogens (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis) were determined. The results showed differences according to the type and size of bulking agent, the mixtures with vine shoot prunings having a higher biodegradability, which was confirmed by thermogravimetry and EEM fluorescence spectroscopy. Melon plants grown in a mixture which included compost produced using vine pruning waste had a greater shoot weight than those grown on peat alone, while the mixture including compost derived from pepper pruning waste gave a shoot weight similar to that of peat-grown plants. Furthermore, the composts elaborated

The attention towards managing food waste (FW) and transforming it into compost has significantly increased in recent years, driven by the potential advantages it offers for sustainable agriculture and waste reduction. Biochar, a carbon-rich amendment derived from biomass through pyrolysis, has gained significant attention due to its potential benefits to enhance compost quality. This systematic review analyzed 11 studies to assess the role of biochar in optimizing FW composting. Studies revealed several benefits of biochar addition, including shortening of the time to reach the thermophilic stage and an increase in composting temperature. Biochar also improved compost quality by maintaining nitrogen content, reducing ammonia emissions, and promoting a favorable pH for microbial activities. Its porous structure created a suitable habitat for microbes, potentially accelerating organic matter degradation. Additionally, biochar's high cation exchange capacity (CEC) helped immobilize potentially toxic metals, reducing their availability in the final compost. However, our knowledge of biochar's benefits in improving compost quality remains incomplete. The reviewed studies neglected to evaluate the microbial quality of the resulting compost and the cost-effectiveness of biochar application. Future research should prioritize long-term studies to assess plant uptake from soils amended with biochar. Additionally, investigations into the optimal biochar-to-compost ratio, as well as the most effective timing and methods for land application, should be undertaken. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial for optimizing the utilization of biochar in FW composting, thereby leading to sustainable waste management practices and enhanced soil fertility.

Teru Village is one of the villages on the island of Bangka that wants to create independent waste management. Local microorganisms (MOL) are one of the products of waste management that can be reused. MOL can be used as fertilizer activator for plant or directly used as fertilizer. This service activity aims to provide knowledge and understanding to the people of Teru Village about the ways and benefits of making MOL, as well as building community creativity related to the potential and management of environmental waste with economic value. The series of activities consist of: (i) promotion of activities, (ii) preparation and making of MOL, (iii) presentation of material and dissemination of pre-test questionnaires, and (iv) evaluation and dissemination of post-test questionnaires. The results of the activity are positive responses and increasing public knowledge and understanding about MOL based on the results of feedback as a form of evaluation of community service activities.

The application of compost increases soil organic matter (SOM) content; however, there is a lack of information on the short- and long-term effects of compost application on the dynamics of labile SOM pools in compost-amended soils in semiarid region. The goal of this study is to distinguish between parameters that can be used for investigating the accumulative effects of compost application and parameters that are sensitive for short-term changes but diminish with time. To address this goal,
we focused on (1) the effects of compost application rates on short-term dynamics of soil contents of microbial biomass carbon (MBC), cold water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC), and hot water-extractable organic carbon (HWEOC), respectively,
and (2) composition of WEOC and HWEOC characterized using (i) absorbance at
254 nm (Abs254) representing the presence of aromatic components and (ii) fluorescence spectroscopy of excitation–emission matrices coupled with parallel factor analysis. Soil samples were taken from a long-term field experiment in semiarid region, which investigated the effects of the annual load of a cattle manure-based compost (at rates of 0, 20, 40, or 60 m3 ha−1 year−1) on soil properties and crop performance. C concentrations in soil water extracts were found to be sensitive indicators
of compost-load effect on soil organic carbon content. Compost dose had a
strong short-term (2 weeks) impact on MBC, but no long-term (over months and
years) effect was observed. Of the variables examined in the short term, the MBC, WEOC, and Abs254 values of the extracts were found to be the most responsive to compost load. The proportion of the fluorescent constituents out of the WEOC and HWEOC decreased with compost dose. UV- and fluorescence-spectroscopy were found to be useful means to characterize the influence of compost load on the composition
of water-extractable organic matter and hot water-extractable organic matter in semiarid region.

Sustainability in agricultural food chains is critical to addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and food insecurity. This abstract
examines the adoption of sustainable practices across various stages of agricultural food chains, from production to consumption. Key strategies include regenerative
farming, which enhances soil health and biodiversity; precision agriculture, which optimizes resource use and minimizes waste; and circular economy approaches,
such as recycling organic waste into compost. Furthermore, advancements in supply chain management, including efficient transportation and distribution for
transparency and efficient logistics, contribute to reducing carbon footprints and food loss. Consumer-driven trends toward sustainable sourcing and ethical
certifications are reshaping market dynamics, encouraging stakeholders to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices. The integration of these
measures not only enhances the resilience of food systems but also ensures long-term profitability and equity. This review paper emphasizes the need for
interdisciplinary collaboration, policy support, and community engagement to scale sustainable solutions and foster global food security in the face of evolving
environmental and economic challenges. This paper explores the potential open doors accessible for food organizations to urge shoppers to eat better and more
nutritious weight control plans, to put resources into more practical assembling and dissemination frameworks and to foster obtainment frameworks in view of
additional maintainable types of horticulture. The significant variables in growing more maintainable stock chains are distinguished as the kind of store network
included and the singular business disposition to expanding liability regarding item quality into social and ecological execution inside their own stock chains.
Relational trust and working to principles are both vital to fabricate more economical nearby and many rationed food supply chains, yet deficient to change standard
horticulture and unrefined substance supplies to the produced and item food markets. Collaboration among food producers, retailers, NGOs, administrative and
ranchers' associations is crucial to increase expectations for some stock chains and to empower farmers to embrace more economical farming practices.

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is one of the most important food security and cash crops in Ethiopia. However, its productivity is generally low. The low yields of the crop could be attributed to a number of factors, among which low soil fertility is an important constraint. There is little information on the types and rates of fertilizers to be applied, and the cropping system has been given attention to improve its production and productivity. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at the Kiltu Sorsa farmer field in Adola district during the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons to determine the effect of blended NPSB and nitrogen fertilizer rates on black cumin and to assess the cost and benefit of different rates of blended NPSB and nitrogen fertilizers on black cumin. The treatments consisted of four rates of blended NPSB (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg NPSB/ha) and four rates of nitrogen (0, 23, 46, and 69 kg N/ha) fertilizers. The experiment was laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a 4*4 factorial arrangement replicated three times. An improved black cumin variety called Silingo was used as a test crop. The two-year analysis of the data revealed that the interaction effects of blended NPSB and nitrogen fertilizers influenced significantly (P<0.05) days to 50% flowering, days to 90% maturity, plant height, number of capsules per plant, and seed yield. However, the two fertilizers did not interact to influence the number of seeds per capsule parameter of the crop. The highest seed yields were obtained with the application of 100 kg of blended NPSB/ha and 46 kg of N/ha (9.75 qt/ha), while the lowest seed yield (3.71 qt/ha) was obtained with both nil-received plots of the two fertilizers. The partial budget analysis revealed that the application of 100 kg ha of blended NPSB and 46 kg N/ha resulted in net benefits of 122,425 ETB/ha with an acceptable 2148.478.00% marginal rate of return. Therefore, the application of 100 kg blended NPSB with 46 kg N/ha (64.9 kg N + 37.7 kg P2O5 + 6.95 kg S + 0.1 kg B/ha) fertilizer rates led to optimum black cumin seed yield production and economic returns and was recommended for black cumin growers in the midland areas of the Guji zone.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most widely grown tuber crops in the highlands of Bale. However, the productivity is low due to poor agronomic practices, diseases, insect pests and other biotic and abiotic factors. Therefore, an on-farm experiment was conducted to determine the effect of NPS fertilizer rates on yield components and yield of potato and to recommend the most economically feasible rate of NPS fertilizer for potato production. Analysis of variance revealed that days required to reach 50% of flowering and 90% of physiological maturity were significantly affected by the main effects of NPS fertilizer and varieties while plant height, number of stems per hill, number of marketable tubers per plot, number of unmarketable tubers per plot, marketable tuber yield, unmarketable tuber yield and total tuber yield were highly significantly affected by the application of NPS fertilizer. The maximum plant height was recorded from 250 kg NPS ha-1and recommended rate of UREA (165 N kg ha-1). The highest number of marketable tubers and unmarketable tubers per plant marketable tuber yield and unmarketable tuber yield were obtained from 200 kg NPS ha-1and prior recommended rate of UREA (165 N kg ha-1). The highest total tuber yield (34.77 t ha-1) was obtained from 200 kg NPS ha-1 and recommended rate of UREA (165 N kg ha-1). Partial budget analysis also revealed that the highest net benefit (62576 ETB ha-1) with marginal rate of return (114.5 %) was gained from application of 200 Kg NPS ha-1 and recommended rate of UREA (165 N kg ha-1). Therefore, based on the results of the yield, yield parameters and Paritial Budget Analysis, the application of 200 Kg NPS ha-1 and recommended rate of UREA (165 N kg ha-1) can be recommended for potato production on the highlands of Bale.

The current report assesses the effect of Big Data and Business Intelligence on sustainability initiatives
and effectiveness of operations of an organization in the United States; specifically, it considers the cases
of UPS and Walmart. This study employed the mixed-method approach, including a quantitative analysis
by descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests besides carrying out a qualitative content analysis of case
studies and literature. It would, therefore, emerge that UPS has managed to achieve this with a 7.1%
decrease in its operational cost while lowering the release of CO2 emissions to a 5%. As regards Walmart,
it also has an achievement on record about energy consumption by a decline of 20%, which further
enhanced inventory turn around. The thematic analysis emerges in three themes as coming out: data-driven
information into decision-making, attempts toward sustainability and environmental-related efforts, and
how effectiveness comes about with process streamlining of operations. Despite these successes,
challenges such as high initial investment costs and data privacy concerns prevent them from reaching
wider use, especially among smaller organizations. Conclusion In this regard, it is realized that although
Big Data and BI are of utmost importance in promoting sustainability, the financial and ethical challenges
associated with them need to be solved before full realization can be achieved. The recommendations for
the future include development of a Big Data strategy that could align with sustainability goals, manages
investments and data governance-related problems in small companies.

Soil is often perceived as a mere substrate for plant growth that harbours a complex and dynamic ecosystem critical to ecological stability and sustainability. This abstract explores the integral roles of soil organisms ranging from microorganisms to vertebrates which helps in shaping ecosystem dynamics. Soil microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, are pivotal in nutrient cycling, decomposing organic matter, and forming symbiotic relationships with plants, thereby enhancing nutrient availability and plant health. Invertebrates such as earthworms and ants contribute to soil structure formation and fertility through their burrowing activities, which improve aeration and water infiltration. Additionally, soil arthropods play significant roles in organic matter decomposition. These interactions collectively support ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration, disease suppression, and soil fertility. Understanding the multifaceted roles of soil creatures underscores their importance in maintaining ecological balance and highlights the need for sustainable soil management practices to preserve this vital component of our environment.

Food waste containing animal protein (FW-AP) processing was carried out it two stages: hygienization in the liming
process and aerobic composting in real conditions. Pilot compost prisms consisted of 1-1,2 tons of wastes mix
contained: (i) sewage sludge, dried to 14,5% of dry weight, (ii) food waste containing animal protein (FW-AP),
fragmented to size 12mm, hygienized with calcium oxide CaO; dry matter content, after liming, was equal to 18%;
(iii) bulking agents: straw and biowaste such as leaves, grass, waste paper, 66-75% dry weight; (iv) inoculate, 40%
of dry weight. In the heaps, the content of limed FW-AP was 20%, 30% and 40%. After about 2 months of
composting, the finished compost was obtained. The final product was characterized by the following parameters:
moisture 40-52%, pH 7,0-7,4, organic matter 59,4-62,3%, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen 26,6 – 69,5 g N/kg dry matter
by weight., Total phosphorus 17,6 – 63,0 g P/kg d. m.
Presented method is a simple and effective way to convert waste into a product. The contribution of food waste
containing animal protein in total compost prism mass on a level up to 40% allows for the rapid processing of large
amounts of waste. Final composts meet the requirements given for soil improvers or mineral – organic fertilizers

Study on phytoremedial capability of water hyacinth as a safe organic manure source was done at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kumarakom during 2010-12. The heavy metals and other minerals in water hyacinth were Fe (33038 ppm), Al (13075 ppm), Ca (2234.80 ppm), Mn (1440.1 ppm), Mg (1608.3 ppm), Zn (77.08 ppm), Cu (49.80 ppm), Cr (23.37 ppm), As (5.276 ppm), Pb (0.531 ppm), and Hg (0.151 ppm). The heavy metal contents in all the three forms of composts were almost similar, except for Fe, Cr and Cd. The biomass yield of Amaranthus viridis in a pot culture study was higher in water hyacinth than ordinary compost during the initial harvest, while yields for the final harvest and total yields were significantly higher for the farmyard waste compost. The heavy metals Pb, Hg and Cd content in Amaranthus remained unaltered by the organic sources, while As, Cr and Ni content were enhanced significantly by the water hyacinth treatments.

There is a wide spread availability and massive generation of oil palm agro wastes in Malaysia. This calls for coordinated effort to manage the wastes and to develop value added products from them. Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) can be treated by physical and chemical processes to extract oil and cellulose. Cellulose is composed of a set of parallel chains of glucose molecule with anhydroglucose unit that has three hydroxyl carbon available (C-2, C-3& C-6) for derivatization. Cellulose chains form a highly ordered structure known as microfibril. Highly crystalline forms of cellulose are difficult to work with and often unpredictable in behaviour. Noncrystalline form on the other hand could be produced that would open up new possibilities for cellulosic-based biopolymers. Mesophases of cellulose could determine the order of molecular orientation, anisotropy of fiber. High tensile strength fiber depends upon the molecular arrangement in the cellulose crystallites.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of different pond fertilization and physicochemical parameters on the growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus under pond aquaculture. Twelve concrete partitioned fish ponds, each measuring six m 2 , were constructed and each pond was stocked with 18 Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings weighing seven grams, sourced randomly from the Batu Fish and Other Aquatic Life Research Center. The growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus was measured every 30 days for 90 days in water-filled ponds receiving Mixed Fertilizer (Triple superphosphate and Urea in 1:1 ratio), Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) alone, and Vermicompost (VC) as direct application fertilizer. The results showed that the highest fish production was obtained in ponds treated with VC (69.00±.78964 g) followed by MF (66.1917±.57309 g), TSP (63.144±.51088 g), and the lowest in control (CO) (51.00±.82446 g) ponds. The study concludes that different pond fertilizations affect the growth performance (SGR, DGR, FCR, and weight gain) of Oreochromis niloticus in various culture systems. The vermicompost has no effect on water quality in this study.

The existing work proposed to explain alterations in growth and a few metabolic actions in salt-treated rice (cv. Giza-178) plants by salt irrigation (100 mM), and assessing the role of presoaking of seeds by polyamine putrescine (4.0 mM) with soil treating by cyanobacteria (23 mg/pot) interaction to alleviate these changes. At 70-day old both putrescine and cyanobacteria Azotobacter sp. had a clear effect on the fresh weight plants stressed by salt compared to the control, and the same result was also observed on the dry weight of stressed and unstressed rice plants with salt. Chl (a) and (b) were stimulated especially with the application of a high concentration of putrescine. However, carotenoids were slightly suppressive. The effect of cyanobacteria alone or interacted with putrescine in a significant increase in the photosynthesis activity compared to the control of stressed and non-saline-stressed rice plants at 70-day old. The total carbohydrate and protein contents of the roots showed a significant increase. A shortage in proline content was observed in both shoots and roots under the influence of cyanobacteria and putrescine overlapped together in saline-stressed plants compared to the control. The influence of cyanobacteria and putrescine together show a significant effect on nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron and manganese shoot contents compared to the control. Exogenous application of putrescine and cyanobacteria succeeded in mitigating the harmful effect of salt on growth rate and various physiological metabolites.

E-waste in urban areas of Tanzania presents significant environmental and health challenges, exacerbated by the prevalence of informal recycling practices often seen in many developing countries. Such informal
recycling frequently releases hazardous heavy metals, which can contaminate air and soil, posing serious health risks to local populations. This article examines the current state of e-waste management in urban
Tanzania from a policy perspective. It analyses existing policies and regulations, identifies the challenges of managing e-waste, and proposes a strategy to improve the situation. Additionally, it explores the roles of decision-makers and the involvement of the private sector in e-waste management. The findings aim to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and the public about the importance of effective e-waste management practices for sustainable development

Globally, waste management is a challenge that affects the world and specifically in Rwandan rural areas, the lack of proper waste management systems has led to environmental degradation, health hazards, and economic losses. This study was conducted in a small city of Byumba which has the perspective of improving its way of waste management in rural area through Gicumbi Agriculture Production Market (GAPM) Ltd. In order to achieve the objectives, the data were collected from the field through the questionnaire that was administrated to a sample of 14 staff of GAPM Ltd and its beneficiaries. The collected data were processed quantitatively and qualitatively and the findings showed that the waste management techniques used by GAPM Ltd are landfill (100%), re-use (100%), recycling (100%), disposal (71.2%), composting (64.3%) and recovery (57.1%). The waste management of GAPM Ltd contributes to anthropo-social circular economy in the following ways: job creation (100%), environmental protection (100%); resource conservation (85.7%); social well-being and health (78.6%); economy generation (71.4%) and community engagement (57.1%). Having achieved all objectives and verified all hypotheses, it was suggested that the government should continue sensitizing people about the role of waste management in their socio-economic sustainability.

Globally, waste management is a challenge that affects the world and specifically in Rwandan rural areas, the lack of proper waste management systems has led to environmental degradation, health hazards, and economic losses. This study was conducted in a small city of Byumba which has the perspective of improving its way of waste management in rural area through Gicumbi Agriculture Production Market (GAPM) Ltd. In order to achieve the objectives, the data were collected from the field through the questionnaire that was administrated to a sample of 14 staff of GAPM Ltd and its beneficiaries. The collected data were processed quantitatively and qualitatively and the findings showed that the waste management techniques used by GAPM Ltd are landfill (100%), re-use (100%), recycling (100%), disposal (71.2%), composting (64.3%) and recovery (57.1%). The waste management of GAPM Ltd contributes to anthropo-social circular economy in the following ways: job creation (100%), environmental protection (100%); resource conservation (85.7%); social well-being and health (78.6%); economy generation (71.4%) and community engagement (57.1%). Having achieved all objectives and verified all hypotheses, it was suggested that the government should continue sensitizing people about the role of waste management in their socio-economic sustainability.

A study was conducted at grower's field of Regional Sugarcane Research Station (BSRI), Madarganj, Thakurgaon during 2006-07 to study the performance of four different intercrops viz. Potato (Solanum tuberosum), Mungbean (Vigna radiata), Chilli (Capsicum frutescens) and Garlic (Allium sativum) in different planting methods in the farmer's field at Thakurgaon Sugar Mills zone under Old Himalayan Piedmont Plain Soils during the cropping season 2006-07. The results revealed that the highest millable cane stalks (108.3 X 10 3 ha -1 ) and yield (101.60 t ha -1 ) was obtained from the T 2 (STP single row + Potato-Mungbean) followed by millable stalks (107.8 X 10 3 ha -1 ) and cane yield (99.38 t ha -1 ) from T 4 (STP paired row + Potato-Mungbean). Highest adjusted cane yield of 220.9 t ha -1 and 219.1 t ha -1 were recorded from T 4 and T 2 respectively. Overall results showed that STP single row + Potato-Mungbean (T 2 ) and STP paired row + Potato-Mungbean (T 4 ) combination was found most productive and remunerative package technology for Old Himalayan Piedmont Plain Soils.

Around the world, pollution of the air, water and soil, from municipal, industrial and agricultural operations continues to grow and the limited availability of non common man. The program of the 'four R's', which stands for Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Renewable energy, has generally been accepted as a useful principle for waste handling and the use of renewable so face this threat successfully with the help of biogenous methane. This paper presents the use of biodegradable waste material of G.B. Pant University to produce biogas through biogas plant.

A field experiment (2017–2019) was undertaken to study the short-term effects of tillage [zero tillage (ZT), conventional tillage (CT), and alternate tillage (AT)] and sources of organic and mineral fertilizer N [NS0—control, NS1—recommended doses of fertilizer (160:50:100), NS2—recommended level of fertilizer and crop residue (6 Mg·ha−1), NS3—75% of recommended N as fertilizer (120 kg·ha⁻1) and 25% N (40 kg·ha⁻1) as farm yard manure (FYM), and NS4—75% of recommended N as fertilizer and 25% N as vermicompost] on yield and soil quality under a maize–rice rotation system. Among N sources, NS4 produced the highest maize grain yield (10 Mg·ha⁻1). Residual effects of N sources on mean rice grain yield were evident only in crop residue (NS2)- and vermicompost (NS4)-treated plots. After the harvest of two complete maize–rice crop cycles, higher content of dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and urease activity (UR) were observed in the soil under AT as compared to ZT and CT at 0–10 cm (p &lt; 0.0...