Composting of tree leaf litter using fruit based effective microorganisms

Abstract

The litter fall from forest trees is increasing day by day but it has not been utilized effectively. The leaf litters can be converted into compost and added back into the same ecosystem to improve the soil quality and growth of the trees. An attempt was made to prepare good quality compost from different forest tree leaf litter (Neolamarkia cadamba, Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, Dalbergia sissoo and Grewia tiliifolia) using fruit based Effective Microorganisms (FEM). About one ton of leaf litters were collected separately and added with 2 kg urea. The FEM was applied at the dosage of 3 liters per ton in each compost bed. The changes in compost quality parameters such as temperature, pH, EC, total carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, C/N ratio, total potassium and microbial populations were monitored for 60 days. The condition of compost maturity was indicated by the changes in C/N ratio (around 14:1), stable temperature and normal pH (around 7.0). The pH of the litter material was increased from 6.71 to 7.21 during composting. The nutrient content was increased as the composting progressed. The increase in nitrogen of the compost was around 0.90 % to 1.40 %, phosphorus from 0.03% to 0.42% and potassium from 1.10% to 2.13%. The tree leaf litter of Neolamarkia cadamba attained maturity at 45 days of working; Acrocarpus fraxinifolius in 60 days. The other two species Grewia tiliifolia and Dalbergia sissoo leaf litter requires additional days of composting as they were not attained maturity in 60 days which needs further investigation.