A comparative study of two organic fertilizers: Vermicompost and self prepared green algal fertilizer on the growth efficiency of Capsicum annuum (Bell papper).

                                                         INTRODUCTION

Capsicum annuum Gr.  :

•       Capsicum annuum Gr. (also known as sweet pepper , pepper, bell pepper or capsicum) belongs to the family Solanaceae , originated in Central and South America.

•       Sweet pepper has a firm fruit wall and a leathery peel

•       The fruit contains a kidney- shaped , white core to which the seeds are attached.

•       The plant produce fruits in different colors, including red, yellow, orange, green and purple.

    Soil:

•       soil is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life.

•       There are three main types of soil: sand, silt and clay.

•       The best soil for most plants for optimum growth is a rich sandy loam. Loam  is  an even mixture of the three main types of soil.

•    With the time the natural fertility of the soil is declining and thus fertilizers are used to counter the nutrient deficiency of the soil.

 Fertilizers:

•   A  fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soils or to plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential for the growth of  plants.

•   Fertilizers are inputs which enhanced the growth, development and overall characteristics of the planting crop.

•   Blue green Algae in recent times gained tremendous importance as organic fertilizer but, there is very scanty of literature regarding the use of green algae as organic fertilizer.

•   Keeping this in view, following objectives were proposed for the study:

      Objectives:

1.  To collect green algal mat  from Killing village(Ri-bhoi district) and  identify  the composition of the mat.

                                         

2. To prepare  fertilizer from the green algae  collected from different streams of the area.

To study the effect and comparison of two different organic fertilizers , vermicompost  and self prepared green algal fertilizer on the growth efficiency of Capsicum annuum Gr.                                  MATHODS AND MATERIALS

                                               

1.STUDY SITE:

 The study site, Botanical garden, University of Science and Technology, Ri-bhoi  district of Meghalaya lies in between 90 ̊55’15 to 91 ̊16’ latitude and 25 ̊40’ to  25 ̊21’ longitude.

2.Climate:

The temperature ranges from 10̊C in December to 30̊C in the month of July and August.

3. Physico-chemical characteristics of soil and water of the study site:

physical characteristics of soil was studied. NPK was estimated from soil and algae by Kjeldal method.

4. Preparation of plot and planting methods:                                                               

 Ploughing , and removal of debris materials.Sufficient amount of surface soil from the ploughed area was taken in 30 different pots.  Little water was  introduced in each  of the pots     and then plantlets  of 42 days were transplanted in the pots, one in each pot. Then the pots  were arranged in three different rows equally – one for no treatment   (control),   one for  vermicompost treatment and the another one is for self prepared green algal treatment.

 5. Physical parameters and biochemical properties:

       The physical parameters such as the plant height, no.of branches, leaves , number of flowers,  leaf areas  were recorded after every 7 alternative days.The biochemical properties such as  the chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid was worked out by Arnon method (1949).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

      Capsicum annuum on the first day of transplant(35^th day)     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Manures and fertilizers      

The use of  fertilizers  and manures enhance the growth and effect of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the plant depending upon the type of fertilizers and the concentration used. The fertilizers used for the study includes:

                    1. Organic fertilizer

 Vermicompost:  Vermicompost is the product of the compost excreta of Earthworm. The process of producing vermicompost is known as vermi-composting.

                     2.  Algal fertilizer  

                                                     

Algal dry biomass is known to contain  rich source of macro and micro nutrients, which in  turn can be used by plants for their growth . All the essentiality of the dry biomass can thus contribute to the development of the planting crop in small or large scale. 

PREPARATION OF ALGAL FERTILIZER

    The steps involved in the preparation of algal fertilizer are as follows-

                            

1.  Green algal mat were collected  and washed thoroughly to remove the debris of unwanted soil and waste particles.

2. The algal mass was taken to the laboratory for taxonomic identification and preparation of algal fertilizer.

3. Selected strain of  algae were rinsed free of sand and debris with the help of tap water and put over the glass slide, covered up by cover slip.

4. The strain was then observed under a light microscope and identified following different monographs of Tiffany (1952).

5. After identification, the algal masses were then sun dried till it become brittle and crackling firm.

  6.  The sundried algae were crushed and grinded with the help of electronic grinder.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

   7.The powdery masses of the green algae are now measured as per requirement and a paste was        prepared adding the green algal powder in an 1000ml beaker with 500ml distilled water.

        

        8.   Then the beaker was kept for 48 hours in the laboratory at room temperature so that the                        nutrient content of the green algae comes to simple form.

                                                           

         9.   After 48 hours   the algal fertilizer was applied in crop concerned.

                                        

          APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS

                                                                                             

1. Any  fertilizer was not applied in the plants of first row.

2.  15 gm vermicompost per plant of second row was applied after every 7 alternative days .

3.  2 gm self prepared green algal fertilizer (Spirogyra)  per plant of third row was applied after every 7 alternative days. 

     RESULTS

      NKP estimated amount in dry algae- Spirogyra sp.

Sl.. No	Element	Amount (mg/kg)
1	N	0.68
2	P	2.9
3	K	8.3

        

 The physico-chemical characteristics of the soil

    The Ri-bhoi soils are rich in organic carbon, the ranges of the nutrients also varies as shown in the following table.

    Table.2: Physico-chemical properties of the surface soil (0-15cm depth)-

                                                                                

particulars	Percentage content	Methods of determination
A.   Mechanical composition          1.Sand          2. Silt                                        3. Clay   Textural classification	77              22               1          Loamy sand	Hydrometer
Chemical composition             Soil pH                Available                              nutrients(kg/ha)          a. Nitrogen(N2)          b. Phosphorous(P2O2)           c. Potassium(K2O)	6.3             1247.94            448.84             929.38	Digital pH meter.                  Kjeldahl method

                                   

          Summary and Conclusion

1.    From the above results it is clear  that the green algal fertilizer have    relatively greater influenced on the physical parameters of plant such as plant height, number of leaves, leaves area, early flowering, no . of flowers, no. of branches no. of fruits and seeds than the vermicompost.

2.    Therefore. It can be concluded that  self prepared algal fertilizer can be used as a successful organic fertilizer which can give faster and better yield.

3.    Moreover, as  algal mats were collected from eutrophicated streams for preparation of fertilizer, so in turn it can be a technique to remove  eutrophication from streams and utilize the same for successful organic farming.

4.    As Spirogyra in this region is a very common alga which grows in many streams and ponds . Flourishing utilization of this alga can be a boon to clear eutrophication and at the same time accelerate organic farming.

5.     In future days, large scale production  of fruits and vegetables can be done by using this organic  green algal  fertilizer.