Start with the Name of Allah most merciful and beneficent

EFFECT OF TEA WASTE ON SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND

GROWTH OF HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS.

By

MUHAMMAD ISHAQUE (2k7/BOT/45)

KHADIM HUSSAIN (2k7/BOT/88)

FAHAD ALI (2k7/BOT/18)

AIJAZ ALI(2k7/BOT/82)

Under the Supervision

SAEED AKHTER ABRO

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirement for the degree of

BS (HONS)

INSTITUTE OF PLANT SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF SINDH JAMSHORO

DEDICATION

This thesis is dedicated to my Beloved

Parents and Teachers

Who have raised me to be the person I am today.

Thank you for all the unconditional love, guidance,

And support that you have always given me,

Helping me to succeed and instilling in me the confidence

that I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to.

Thank you for everything.

AND

Special Friends

who have made our life so much meaningful

INSTITUTE OF PLANT SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF SINDH, JAMSHORO

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the research work embodied in this thesis entitled “EFFECT

OF TEA WASTE ON SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND GROWTH OF

HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS.” has been carried out by Mr. Mohammad Ishaque

Khaskheli (Roll # 2K7/BOT/45), Mr. Khadim Hussain Panhwar

(2K7/BOT/88), Mr. Aijaz Ali Otho (2K7/BOT/82) and Mr. Fahad Ali Sidhu

(2K7/BOT/18) under my supervision is of original nature. In my opinion it is

satisfactory in scope and quality as a thesis for the degree of Bachelors of Science

(BS) in Botany.

Thesis advisor / Supervisor

Mr. Saeed Akhter Abro

Lecturer

Institute of Plant Sciences

University of Sindh, Jamshoro

INSTITUTE OF PLANT SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF SINDH, JAMSHORO

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the research work embodied in this thesis entitled “EFFECT

OF TEA WASTE ON SOIL IMPROVEMENT AND GROWTH OF

HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS.” has been carried out by Mr. Mohammad Ishaque

Khaskheli (Roll # 2K7/BOT/45), Mr. Khadim Hussain Panhwar

(2K7/BOT/88), Mr. Aijaz Ali Otho (2K7/BOT/82) and Mr. Fahad Ali Sidhu

(2K7/BOT/18) under my supervision is of original nature. In my opinion it is

satisfactory in scope and quality as a thesis for the degree of Bachelors of Science

(BS) in Botany. Thesis advisor / Supervisor

Mr. Saeed Akhter Abro

Committee Members

01.-------------------------------------

02. -------------------------------------

03. ------------------------------------- Director

Institute of Plant Sciences

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents Page No.

Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………... I

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………. II

Abbreviations and Symbols…………………………………………………………. III

List of Tables………………………………………………………………………… IV

List of Figures………………………………………………………………………... IV

CHAPTER 01 LITRATURE REVIEW

1.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2

1.2 Organic manures and their types…………………………………………………………………… 4

1.2.1 Green Manure……………………………………………………………………………………. 4

1.2.2 Farmyard Manure………………………………………………………………………………. 4

1.2.3 Compost…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4

1.2.4 Slurry & Liquid manure………………………………………………………………………. 5

1.2.5 Sewage Sludge…………………………………………………………………………………… 5

1.2.6+

Poultry Manure………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

1.2.7 Fish Manure………………………………………………………………………………………. 5

1.3 Effect of organic matter on the soil……………………………………………………………….. 5

1.3.1. Physical properties of soil…………………………………………………………………… 6

1.3.2. Biological properties of soil………………………………………………………………… 7

1.3.3. Chemical properties of soil…………………………………………………………………. 8

1.3.3.1 Nitrogen………………………………………………………………………………. 8

1.3.3.2 Phosphorous……………………………………………………………………….. 8

1.3.3.3 Potassium……………………………………………………………………………. 9

1.4 Effects of organic matter on plant…………………………………………………………………. 9

1.4.1 Growth………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9

1.4.2 Biomass……………………………………………………………………………………………… 9

1.5 Objectives of the study………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

CHAPTER 02 MATERIALS & METHODS

2.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11

2.2 The Material………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 11

2.2.1. Plant material…………………………………………………………………………………….. 11

2.2.2. Soil…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 11

2.2.3 Tea waste collection and processing…………………………………………………. 14

2.2.3.1. Preparation of compost………………………………………………………. 14

2.2.3.2. Soil compost formation……………………………………………………….. 14

2.3 The Method…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14

2.3.1 The experimental design……………………………………………………………………. 14

2.3.2. Sowing of seeds…………………………………………………………………………………. 17

2.4. Data collection and analysis…………………………………………………………………………… 17

2.4.1. Parameters used……………………………………………………………………………… 17

2.4.1.1.

Plant Parameters…………………………………………………………………………….. 17

a. Germination…………………………………………………………………………… 17

b. Emergence……………………………………………………………………………… 18

c. Biomass………………………………………………………………………………….. 18

d. Plant Height……………………………………………………………………………. 18

e. Chlorophyll…………………………………………………………………………….. 19

2.4.1.2 Soil Parameters……………………………………………………………………………….. 19

a. pH…………………………………………………………………………………………… 19

b. Organic matter……………………………………………………………………….. 19

2.5. Statistical analysis………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20

CHAPTER 03 RESULTS & DISCUSSION

3.1. Emergence…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22

3.2. Plant height…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 22

3.3. Chlorophyll content………………………………………………………………………………………. 22

3.4. Fresh weight of shoot……………………………………………………………………………………. 24

3.5. Dry weight of shoot……………………………………………………………………………………….. 24

3.6. Fresh weight of root………………………………………………………………………………………. 24

3.7. Dry weight of root…………………………………………………………………………………………. 24

3.8 pH………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27

3.9. Oxidizable organic carbon……………………………………………………………………………… 27

3.10. Total organic carbon……………………………………………………………………………………… 27

3.11 Organic matter………………………………………………………………………………………………. 27

CHAPTER 04 CONCLUSION

4.1. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30

4.2. Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………………… 31

References……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all our most profound feelings of obligation is due The Almighty Allah for preserving

our health and giving us the felicity to fulfill our undertaking; then we return thanks to the Holy

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) whose teachings enlightened the enigmatic and gloomy ways for

us to reach the destination.

Thanks especially to our Parents for their love and sympathy and to all our family members for

their kindness and encouragement during tough times.

We must pay heartfelt gratitude to our supervisor Mr. Saeed Akhter Abro, Lecturer, Institute of

Plant Sciences, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, whose encouragement, guidance and support

from the initial to the final level enabled us to develop an understanding of the subject, who was

kind enough to guide us to accomplish this onerous task.

We are also deeply indebted to Dr. Wazir Shaikh Director of Institute of Plant Science & Dr.

Muhammad Tahir Rajput, Professor, Ex. Director of Institute of Plant Sciences & Dean of

Natural Sciences, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, for their cooperation in providing available

facilities for experiment.

We would like to thanks Mr. Janhgeer Ali, Professor and Mrs. Noor-ul Ain Soomro Lecturer,

University of Sindh, Jamshoro, and Mr. Farooque Ali Bughio M,Phill student for their valuable

support and encouragement. We also express gratitude to our friends, colleagues for their

assistance and memorable company during this work; and every individual of Institute of Plant

Sciences, as well as others not especially mentioned, for their helping hand. Finally we offer our

regards and blessing to all well-wishers and to all those who supported us in the completion of

the project.

.

i

ABSTRACT

Organic manure play a direct role in plant growth as a source of all necessary macro and

micronutrients in available forms during mineralization, improving the physical and

physiological properties of soils,Organic matter is an essential component of soils because it

provides a carbon and energy source for soil microbes, the growth of crops by improving the

soil’s ability to store and transmit air and water stores and supplies such nutrients as nitrogen,

phosphorus, and sulfur, which are needed for the growth of plants.

The main purpose of our study is to investigate the positive effects of tea waste as potential

organic fertilizer to improve soil and growth of Hibiscus esculentus. The experiments were

conducted using the laboratory and net house facilities of Institute of Plant Sciences, University

of Sindh, Jamshoro. In our experiment different treatments of compost i.e. T1=Control (no tea

waste), T2= @ 5%, T3= @ 10%, T4= @ 15%, T5= @20%, were added in the sandy silt soil.

After the using these treatments noted the effect of compost on growth of Hibiscus esculentus

and improvement of soil. The compost tea waste as a potent organic fertilizer was analyzed by

using following plant and soil parameters (Seed germination, emergence, height of plant,

biomass, organic matter, pH, chlorophyll content etc.)The result of present study suggest that

compost increase the plant biomass, height, as well as the improved the soil physical and

chemical properties.From all experiments it was observed that tea waste was to be suppose as

good organic fertilizer. It increase the soil organic matter.

ii

Abbreviations & Symbols

Abbreviations

C Carbon

Ca Calcium

Cm Centimeter

CTW Compost tea waste

DAS Day after sowing

F.wt Fresh weight

g Gram

K Potassium

Kg Kilogram

oC Centigrate

OM Organic matter

OOC Oxidizable organic carbon

T Treatment

TOC Total Oxidizable carbon

Wt Weight

FYM Farm yard manures

N Nitrogen

P Phosphorus

OD Optical density

LSD Least significant difference

ANOVA Analysis of variance

Mg Magnesium

SG1 No of seeds germinated at a time

TS Total number of seeds

Symbols

% Percentage

@ At

List of Tables

iii

Table Number Title Page #

Table 2.1. Physico-chemical properties of soil used for experimentation 12

Table 3.1 The average percentage of emergence as affected by various

tea waste treatments.

23

Table. 3.2 The average Plant Height (cm) as affected by various tea waste

treatments.

23

Table. 3.3 The Chlorophyll content mg/2g fresh leaf under various

treatments of compost tea waste. 23

Table. 3.4 The SHOOT FRESH AND DRY WEIGHT (g) under various

treatments of compost tea waste. 25

Table. 3.5 The ROOT FRESH AND DRY WEIGHT (g) under various

treatments of compost tea waste. 25

Table. 3.6 The physico-chemical properties of soil under various

treatments of compost tea waste. 28

List of Figures

Figure Number Title Page #

Figure 2.1 Seeds of HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS (Lady Finger) 13

Figure 2.2 Collection of soil from Indus River tea waste treatments.

13

Figure. 2.3 Dry Tea waste

16

Figure. 2.4 Compost tea formation 16

Figure. 3.1 Plants germination 26

Figure. 3.2 Plants height 26

iv

1

CHAPTER

LITRATURE REVIEW

01

2

LITRATURE REVIEW 01

1.1. INTRODUCTION:

Tea is the agricultural product of the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of the Camellia sinensis

plant, prepared and cured by various methods. Tea is used for the drinking purpose, and the

waste material of tea is called as tea waste. The main source of tea waste actually comes from

kitchens, hotels in addition to garden wastes (Wikipedia.com). Tea waste is almost as rich in

potent antioxidants, such as catechins, as the new and expensive green tea leaves used by the

supplements industry (Daniels, 2005). Tea waste is basically an organic matter. When the

organic matter broken down into stable humic substances it resists further decomposition and is

called humus. Advantage of humus is that it is able to withhold water and nutrient in soil,

therefore giving the plant capacity for growth. Another advantage of humus is that it helps the

soil to stick together which allow nematode or microscopic bacteria to easily decay the nutrient

in soil (Crow., 2009).

Tea waste is also used to prepare composite tea. Composite tea assists to inhibit foliar disease,

increase quantity and quality of nutrients accessible to the plant, and accelerate the breakdown of

toxin. Tea waste also used as source of potassium, an essential nutrient for plant growth (Jan.,

2007).

3

When compost tea (another form of tea organic fertilizer) is applied to yard, garden, or

houseplants, the microbes give a jump-start to soil and plants by eating minerals and organic

matter and making them available to plant roots (www.ecocycle.org).

The compost tea is a highly concentrated microbial solution produced by extracting beneficial

microbes from vermi-compost and /or compost. It is a source of foliar and organic nutrients,

contains cheated micronutrients for easy plant absorption and the nutrients for both plant and

microbial uptake. Compost used to improve soil physical and biological properties i.e., water

retention capacity, drainage, pH, better availability of soil micro-organism and reducing the

negative impact of chemical based pesticides and fertilizers in the ecosystems (Zheljazkov and

Warman, 2004). Adding various organic compost to the soil resulted increase growth characters,

yield and chemical constituents of rosemary and Tagetes erecta plant (Khalil et al., 2002).

Organic manure play a direct role in plant growth as a source of all necessary macro and

micronutrients in available forms during mineralization, improving the physical and

physiological properties of soils (Singh, 2000).

Compost tea is an increasingly popular product in organic agriculture largely due to testimonial

support of its efficacy (Ryan et al. 2005). While it has been produced and used in Europe for

hundreds of years, it is a relatively new product in North America (Brinton et al. 2004). Compost

tea is an infusion of compost in water for a period of time, the compost is removed and the

remaining solution is the compost tea, which is then applied to plant leaves where it may confer

disease resistance, provide beneficial microorganism to the plant and soil, as well as supply

essential plant nutrients (Bess 2000; Touart 2000; Scheuerell & Mahaffee 2002).

4

Furthermore, since compost tea is a foliar spray, it is also claimed to be a readily available form

of compost supplying nutrients more quickly than compost additions to soil (Bess 2000). Tea

waste is one of the low cost and easily available adsorbent having strong adsorptivity towards

metals like Cd, Zn, Ni, and Pb (Amarasinghe & Williams, 2007) because of the soft colloid and

chemical components like palmitinic acid of fatty group, terpenes and di-Bu phthalate present in

it (Amarasinghe & Williams, 2007; Shyamala et al., 2005; Mahvi et al., 2005). Therefore the tea

waste can be used as an effective organic manure in small scale gardening and horticulture.

1.2. ORGANIC MANURES & THEIR TYPES

In agriculture system, recycling of organic waste material is known to improve soil health and

availability of plant nutrients by amending soil physio-chemical and biological properties

(Ahmad et al., 2008)

1.2.1. GREEN MANURE: Green manures comprise plant crops grown on a given soil to a

certain stage of development before being ploughed under, while still green. Both leguminous

and non-leguminous plants are utilized for this purpose. Leguminous crops are cultivated widely

in a variety of agro- climatic zones in the tropics and subtropics (ALAM 2002).

1.2.2. FARMYARD MANURE: The main types of livestock wastes which are found in farms

are farmyard manure, either fresh or stockpiled, slurry, liquid manures (urine). Farmyard manure

consists of three main groups of components; bedding or litter, solid of the animals and liquid

urine. Urine is high in nitrogen and minerals. Solid excrete contains considerable amounts of

proteins (ALAM 2002).

1.2.3. COMPOST: Composts consist of a variety of organic materials that have been subjected

to decomposition before being added to soil. The chief advantage of composting before mixing

5

with soil in one of physical condition. Compost of plant residues with mineral fertilizer results in

a product similar in every respect to that obtained from farmyard manure. Composting has a

wide range of objectives: Suppression of unpleasant odors, improvement of hygienic conditions,

reduction of the germination capacity of weeds, increase the biological activity of soils,

minimum loss of nutrient elements during application in the soil (ALAM 2002).

1.2.4. SLURRY AND LIQUID MANURES: Slurry is a difficult material to manage the

provision of safe, long-term storage is expensive, thus spreading is often carried out in an

appropriate time of the year to make room. This has a serious pollution impact and wastes.

Valuable nutrient elements. In arable areas, where straw is plentiful, compost production using

slurry and straw provides an alternative way of managing slurry and liquid manures (ALAM

2002).

1.2.5. SEWAGE SLUDGE: Sewage sludge and other municipal and agricultural wastes hold

promise of benefiting soil organic matter and contain N and P, but little potash, the organic

matter obtained through such process can make useful contribution to soil improvement (ALAM

2002).

1.2.6. POULTRY MANURE: This is available in some areas and care should be taken to know

the drugs and chemicals used on the poultry flock. Manure from intensive farmed poultry should

generally be avoided. Always store it in a dry place. When applied wet, its value is only about

half that of similar material stored and kept dry. It should be used with caution, at the rate of

about 1 lb to the square yard, and may be dug in, or used as atop dressing in the spring or early

summer and hoed in.

1.2.7. FISH MANURE: Fish manure is made from fish offal and the fish carcasses discarded

during processing for human consumption. The manure is better if the oil has been

6

removed, as then it is quick acting. Fish manure usually contains sufficient nitrogen and

phosphates for most crops, but practically no potash, unless this has been added in a

chemical form during the process of production.

1.3. EFFECTS OF ORGANIC MATTER ON SOIL

Organic manuring phenomenon aims to improve the biological, chemical and physical properties

of the soil and is important as a source of energy and nutrient elements for the soil ecosystem.

Organic matter influences productivity of soils through the mineralization of nutrients, its high

cation exchange and water holding capacities, and its ability to improve soil physical properties.

Many measurements are used to denote soil structure, including porosity, bulk density, and soil

aggregation (ALAM. 2002). The central role of soil organic matter in maintaining soil function

and plant productivity in agro ecosystems has long been recognized (Puget and Drinkwater,

2001). Different sources of organic amendments including solid waste compost (Hachicha et al.,

2006) municipal solid wastes (Montemurro et al., 2005) and biotechnology byproducts (Martinez

and Tabatabai, 1997) have been applied to enhance both crop yield and soil quality. Composts

from different sources can be used as organic amendments in soils, providing both organic

matter and mineral nutrients, thus promoting physical and chemical properties of soils (Sáinz et

al., 1998). The decomposition kinetics of various types of organic wastes has been investigated,

and it has been concluded that composting is the best way for obtaining maximum C

stabilization, an important factor in soil conservation and reclamation (Bernal et al., 1998).

1:3:1 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL

7

Organic matter provide nutrient to the soil, improve its water holding capacity and help the soil

to maintain good tilth and there by better aeration for germinating seed and plant root

development(Zia et al .,1993). Organic manures such as cattle manure and poultry

manure improve the soil structure, airation, slow release nutrient which support root

development leading to higher yield and better quality soil (Abou et al., 2005).Physical

properties like bulk density, porosity, void ratio, water permeability and hydraulic conductivity

were significantly improved when FYM was applied in combination with chemical amendment

(Hussain et al,. 2001) Additions of organic manures result in increased soil organic matter

content. Many reports have shown that this results in increased water holding capacity, porosity,

infiltration capacity, hydraulic conductivity and water stable aggregation and decreased bulk

density and surface crusting (R.J. Haynes & R. Naidu 1997). Maintenance of optimum soil

physical conditions is an important component of soil fertility management. Breakdown of soil

aggregates, and the attendant poor soil structural condition, often restricts crop root growth and

thus the efficient exploration of the soil profile for water and nutrients (Gregory, 1988).

pH:

Application of compost alone and in combination with chemical fertilizer reduces the soil pH as

compare to the control (G.Sewar et al., 2008, Smicikls et al., 2002, Pattanayak et al., 2001) and

(Yaduvanshi 2001) also observed a decrease in soil pH after the use of organic material.

1:3:2 BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL

Compost tea is an infusion of compost in water for a period of time, the compost is removed and

the remaining solution is the compost tea, which is then applied to plant leaves where it may

8

confer disease resistance, provide beneficial microorganism to the plant and soil, as well as

supply essential plant nutrients (Bess 2000; Touart 2000). Several biological parameters have

been used to define the status and sustainable development of soil productivity in agricultural.

There are many methods currently available for studying the micro organisms and their activities

at the microhabitat level

Soil enzymes are potential indicators of soil quality because of their relationship to soil biology,

ease of measurement, and rapid response to changes in soil management (Dick and Tabatabai,

1992; Kızılkaya and Bayraklı, 2005). Enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions and are an integral

part of nutrient cycling in the soil. Soil enzymes may be of microbial origin (Ladd, 1978) there

are various views on the suitability of the methods used to assess soil biological activity and its

change due to different soil cultivation and fertilization methods, as well as the whole system of

soil management (Beyer et al., 1992). Soil organisms represent a large fraction of global

terrestrial biodiversity. They carry out a range of processes important for soil health and fertility

in soils of both natural ecosystems and agricultural systems. Micro-organisms can access N in

the soil more easily than plants. This means that where there is not enough N for all the soil

organisms, the plants will probably be N deficient. When soils are low in organic matter content,

application of organic matter will increase the amount of N (and other nutrients) available to

plants through enhanced microbial activity. The number of microbes in the soil will also

multiply, as they can use the organic matter as a source of energy. Where the number of fungi

and bacteria associated with the breakdown of organic matter increases, there may be some

improvements to the soil structure. Adding organic matter can also increase the activity of

earthworms, which in turn can also improve soil aggregation (Alexandra Bot 2005).

9

1.3.3 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL

Compost organic material is considered as rich source of nutrients and also play important role to

conserve the soil fertility and to enhance crop production on sustainable basses (Togun et al.,

2003). The available amount of all major plant nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and organic

matter increase in the soil by using of composite applications (G.Sewar et al., 2008).

1.3.3.1 NITROGEN: Composite organic material enhance N fertilizer use efficiency by

releasing it slowly and thus reducing its losses (Asghar et al., 2006).The organic manures and

compost are important in sustaining forming by providing plant N supply(Korsaeth et al., 2002).

1.3.3.2. PHOSPHORUS: Status of soil was improved when chemical fertilizer and compost

added to the soil (Serwer et al., 2008).

1.3.3.3. POTASSIUM: It improved in the soil after incorporation of compost in the soil (Serwer

et al., 2008).

1.4. EFFECT OF ORGANIC MATTER ON PLANTS

The toxic metal mobility in the plant can be controlled by application of some suitable adsorbing

surface like solid tea waste, in which metal bind with the surface and that surface can also act as

manure of the soil to increase the soil fertility as a remediate (AZMAT., Pak. J. Bot., 42). The

popularity of compost tea may be a result of the demand for organic agricultural products, which,

can impart disease protection as well as provide nutrients and support plant growth (Bess 2000;

OFRF 2001; Scheuerell & Mahaffee 2002).

1.4.1. GROWTH: Increase in maiz growth with the use of organic material has been observed

by Muhammad et al., 2007.

10

1.4.2. BIOMASS:

(i) Fresh weight: Wheat gave highly significant response to organic manures and compost

application a comparison of fresh weight with that of control (Ibrahim et al., 2008; Andaleeb

et al., 2008).

(ii) Dry Weight: Dry biomass of wheat increase significantly over control with the use of

organic manures and compost (Ibrahim et al., 2008; Andaleeb et al., 2008).

(iii) Plant height: The organic manures and compost increase the plant height (M.Ibrahim et

al., 2008; Andaleeb et al., 2008).

1.5. Objectives of study:The main objective of our study is to investigate the positive effects of

tea waste as potential organic fertilizer to improve soil and growth of Hibiscus esculentus.

11

CHAPTER

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MATERIALS AND METHODS 02

2.1 Introduction The main purpose of present study was to assess the manure status of solid house hold tea waste

in order to use it as a potential fertilizer in the small scale gardening particularly kitchen

gardening. The study reveals the growth responses of Hibiscus esculentus to tea waste

application and also its impacts on the physico-chemical properties of soil. The experiments were

conducted using the laboratory and net house facilities of Institute of Plant Sciences, University

of Sindh, Jamshoro.

02

12

2.2. THE MATERIALS

2.2.1. PLANT MATERIAL

The seeds of HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS (Lady Finger) were used in the experiment. Seeds were

purchased from market and were first analyzed for their potential of germination. The disease

free, healthy seeds were selected from seed lot for the experiments.

2.2.2. SOIL

The soil collected from the river bed of Indus was used in the experiment. Prior to

experimentation the soil was analyzed for the physical and chemical parameters (Table 2.1).

Table =2.1. Physico-chemical properties of soil used for experimentation.

SOIL TEXTURE pH OM% TOC% OOC%

Sandy silt 5.96 1.6589 0.7024 0.0258

13

Fig 2.1: Seeds of HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS (Lady Finger)

14

Fig 2.2: Collection of soil from Indus River

2.2.3. Tea Waste collection and processing:

Used tea waste was collected from different sources i.e. small hotels and house hold kitchens etc.

The collected tea waste was washed to remove milk and other impurities and was spread on

paper for drying. When dried the tea waste was grind and passed from 2.0 mm sieve. The powder

was used to make compost.

2.2.3.1. Preparation of Compost

Total 600 kg dried tea waste powder was mixed with 2 kg of partially ground leaves of banyan

tree (ficus bengalensis). The mixture was placed in polythene bags after mixing a sufficient

amount of water (at saturation level). This mixture was kept in the laboratory at room

temperature for about 20 days for primary decomposition.

15

2.2.3.2. Soil compost formation

2.3. METHODS

2.3.1. The Experimental Design:

The experiment was conducted using completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments

and four replications. The experiment was conducted in earthen pots. Treatments are as under:

T1 = No tea waste used pure soil (control)

T2 = compost tea @ rate of 5%

T3 = compost tea @ rate of 10%

T4 = compost tea @ rate of 15%

T5 = compost tea @ rate of 20%

The pots were placed in randomized position in the net house of Institute of plan sciences. The

maximum care was followed for equal exposure of each pot to light and other climatic factors.

16

17

Fig 2.3: Dry Tea waste

Fig 2.4: Compost tea formation

18

2.3.2. Sowing of Seeds

The pre sowing soil was prepared for all five treatments by irrigating it for about 3 times with an

interval of 2days. Before the sowing the selected healthy seeds of HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS

(Lady Finger) were soaked in water for 12 hours at room temperature. About 15 seeds per pot

were sown.

2.4. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

2.4.1. Parameters used

The data was recorded for following parameters:

2.4.1.1. Plant parameter

(a) Germination

When 1 mm radical emerged from seed the seed was considered as germinated. The

germination was recorded by counting the number of germinated seeds after each 24 hours.

The % seed germination was analyzed using the formula

G %= SG1t/TSx 100

Where

SG1= The number of seeds germinated at t time

TS= total number of seeds sown

19

(b) Emergence

The emergence was recorded on the basis of number of seedling emerged from soil per unit

time per treatment.

(c) Biomass: The biomass of plant was taken as root and shoot fresh and dry weights.

(i) Shoot fresh weight

Five plants were harvested from each treatment and were brought immediately to laboratory

where they were weighted on a digital weight balance.

(ii) Root fresh Weight

Five plants are harvested from each treatment from different replication and data for fresh

weight of shoot were recorded separately.

(iii) Shoot dry weight

The fresh shoots were placed in oven under the 100 0C for 1 hour and dry weights were

recorded separately.

(iv) Root fresh weight

The fresh shoots were placed in oven under the 750

C for 1 hour and dry weights were

recorded separately.

20

(d) Plant height

Height of plant was measured with the help of foot scale and data recorded separately.

(e) Chlorophyll

The second leaves below the apical bud were selected for chlorophyll determination. About

2g of fresh leaves of HIBISCUS ESCULENTUS (Lady Finger) were crushed in mortar and

pastel using 100% acetone. The chlorophyll extract than filtered by watchman’s filter paper.

The absorbance of filtrate was recorded on spectrophotometer (model Lambda 35 UV-Vis

spectrophotometer) at 645 and 663 nm wavelengths.

The chlorophyll content was measured by using following formula:

Chlorophyll a= [12.7(OD) 663-2.69(OD) 645] x V/1000xW

Chlorophyll b= [22.9(OD) 645-4.68(OD) 663] x V/1000xW

Total Chlorophyll=Sums of Chlorophyll a and b.

2.4.1.2. Soil Parameters

(a) pH

The 1:1 soil water ratio was prepared to make saturated paste. The paste was than used to

measure the pH with the help of digital pH meter.

(b) Organic Matter

21

The most common procedure involves reduction of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) by OC

compound and subsequent determination of the unreduced dichromate by oxidation-reduction

titration with ferrous ammonium sulphate (Walkley, 1947; FAQ, 1974).

Calculation:

Percentage organic matter in soil

% Oxidizable organic carbon (w/w) = (Vblank – Vsample) x 0.3 xM/Wt

% Tottle organic carbon (w/w) = 1.334 x % Oxidizable organic carbon

% Organic matter (w/w) = 1.724 x Total organic carbon

Wt = weight of soil.

2.5. Statistical Analysis:

The data was statistically analyzed for variations among treatments using single factor

ANOVA. The LSD at 0.05 probabilities was calculated to measure smallest mean differences

among the treatments. The pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to measure the

efficacy of treatment to the growth and soil improvement.

22

CHAPTER

RESULTS

03

23

RESULTS 03

3.1. Emergence (%)

The analysis of variance for emergence show significant differences among mean value of

treatments. The maximum value of emergence was observed in T3= (0.1749) and followed by

T4= (0.1666) and T5= (0.1333).The minimum value of emergence was observed in T2=(0.0789)

and T1=(0.1123). (TABEL: 3.1)

3.2. Plant Height

The analysis of variance for plant height show significant difference among mean value of

treatments. The maximum value of plant height was observed in T5= (28.0980) and followed by

T3= (22.9653) and T4= (22.8203).The minimum value of plant height was observed in T1=

(10.1397) and T2= (16.7984). (TABEL: 3.2)

3.3. Chlorophyll Content

The analysis of chlorophyll content show significant difference among mean value of

treatments.The maximum value of chlorophyll content was observed in T5=(2.8205) and

followed by T2=(2.5535) and T1=(2.1201).The minimum value of chlorophyll content was

observed in T3=(1.2699) and T4=(1.744) (TABEL: 3.3).

24

TABLE 3.1.The average percentage of emergence as affected by various tea waste

treatments.

Treatments *Period I Period II Period III Period IV Mean

T1 0.016 0.0666 0.1666 0.200 0.1123

T2 0.016 0.0666 0.1166 0.1166 0.0789

T3 0.066 0.1333 0.2333 0.2666 0.1749

T4 0.050 0.1333 0.2166 0.2666 0.1666

T5 0.050 0.1166 0.1666 0.200 0.1333

MEAN

*Period I= 24 hours

Period II= 48 hours

Period III=72 hours

Period IV= 96 hours

Table. 3.2. The average Plant Height (cm) as affected by various tea waste treatments.

Treatments *DAS=10 DAS=15 DAS=20 DAS=25 DAS=30 DAS=35 DAS=89 MEAN

T1 3.71 4.88 5.79 6.62 8.36 10.44 31.16 10.14

T2 4.30 5.50 6.54 9.51 13.13 16.94 61.66 16.80

T3 7.13 10.00 12.55 16.58 21.93 29.02 63.55 22.96

T4 6.69 9.70 12.14 16.68 22.68 31.74 60.08 22.82

T5 6.69 10.77 15.12 20.96 28.76 40.91 73.47 28.10

MEAN

*DAS= Days after sowing

Table. 3.3 The Chlorophyll content mg/2g fresh leaf under various treatments of compost tea

waste.

Treatments Chlorophyll a Chlorophyll b Total chlorophyll

T1 0.7614 1.3587 2.1201

T2 0.9090 1.6445 2.5535

T3 0.4667 0.8032 1.2699

T4 0.6305 1.1135 1.744

T5 4.0034 1.8171 2.8205

MEAN 1.3542 1.3474 2.1016

25

3.4. Fresh weight of Shoot

The analysis for the fresh weight of shoot/plant shows the significant difference among mean

value of treatments. The maximum value of fresh weight/plant was observed in T5=(358.54)

followed by T3=(286.35) and T4=(260.46). The minimum value of fresh weight/plant was

observed in T1=(60.74) and T2=(251.43). (TABEL: 3.4)

3.5. Dry weight of Shoot

The analysis for the dry weight of shoot/plant shows the significant difference among mean

value of treatments. The maximum value of dry weight/plant was observed in T5= (116.13)

followed by T3= (75.84) and T2= (60.52). The minimum value of dry weight/plant was

observed in T1= (13.60) and T4= (58.83). (TABEL: 3.4)

3.6. Fresh weight of Root

The analysis for the fresh weight of root/plant shows the significant difference among mean

value of treatments. The maximum value of fresh weight of root/plant was observed in T2=

(43.50) followed by T5= (37.37) and T4= (33.97) and minimum value of fresh root weight/plant

was observed in T1= (9.27) and T3= (32.44). (TABEL: 3.5)

3.7. Dry weight of Root

The analysis for the dry weight of root/plant shows the significant difference among mean value

of treatments. The maximum value of dry weight of root/plant was observed in T2= (14.83)

followed by T5= (14.60) and T4=(12.22).The minimum value of dry root weight/plant was

observed in T1= (2.96) and T3= (9.72). (TABEL: 3.5)

26

Table. 3.4 The SHOOT FRESH AND DRY WEIGHT (g) under various treatments of compost

tea waste.

Treatments FRESH WEIGHT DRY WEIGHT

T1 60.74 13.60

T2 251.43 60.52

T3 286.35 75.84

T4 260.46 58.83

T5 358.54 116.13

MEAN 243.504 64.984

Table. 3.5 The ROOT FRESH AND DRY WEIGHT (g) under various treatments of compost tea

waste.

Treatments FRESH WEIGHT DRY WEIGHT

T1 9.27 2.96

T2 43.50 14.83

T3 32.44 9.72

T4 33.97 12.22

T5 37.37 14.60

MEAN 31.31 10.866

27

Fig 3.1: Plants germination

Fig 3.2: Plants height

28

3.8. pH

The analysis of soil pH per sample for individual treatment shows significant difference among

their values. The maximum value of pH per soil sample were observed in T5=(6.72) and

followed by T4=(6.58) and T3=(6.42).The minimum value of pH was observed in T1=(6.16) and

T2=(6.30). (TABEL3.6)

3.9. Oxidizable Organic Carbon

The analysis of soil for Oxidizable Organic Carbon per sample for individual treatment shows

significant difference among their values. Maximum value of Oxidizable Organic Carbon per

soil sample were observed in T4=(2.2363) followed by T5=(2.1311)The minimum value of

Oxidizable Organic Carbon was observed in T2=(0.9340) and T3=(0.7893). (TABEL: 3.6)

3.10. Total Organic Carbon

The analysis of soil for Total Organic Carbon per sample for individual treatment shows

significant difference among their values. Maximum value of Total Organic Carbon per soil

sample were observed in T4= (2.9832) followed by T5= (2.8428).The minimum value of Total

Organic Carbon was observed in T2= (1.2459) and T3= (1.0529). (TABEL: 3.6)

3.11. Organic Matter

The analysis of soil for Organic Matter per sample for individual treatment shows significant

difference among their values. Maximum value of Organic Matter per soil sample were observed

in T4= (5.1430) followed by T5= (4.9009).The minimum value of Organic Matter was observed

in T3= (1.8151) and T2= (2.1479). (TABEL: 3.6)

29

Table. 3.6 The physico-chemical properties of soil under various treatments of compost tea

waste.

Treatments pH OOC TOC OM

T1 6.16 0.3551 0.4737 0.8166

T2 6.30 0.9340 1.2459 2.1479

T3 6.42 0.7893 1.0529 1.8151

T4 6.58 2.2363 2.9832 5.1430

T5 6.72 2.1311 2.8428 4.9990

MEAN 6.436 1.1471 1.5330 2.6576

30

CHAPTER

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

04

31

Discussion and Conclusion 04

4.1. Discussion

The analysis of variance for emergence, Biomass of plant (fresh and dry weight of plant as well

as root shoot ratio) and plant height in chlorophyll show that compost tea waste applications has

increased all above said parameter and proved to be potent organic fertilizer because organic

wastes considered rich source of micro and macro nutrients (Bess 2000; Touart 2000). Compost

organic material is considered as rich source of nutrients and also play important role to conserve

the soil fertility and to enhance crop production on sustainable basses (Togun et al., 2003). The

available amount of all major plant nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) and organic matter increase

in the soil by using of composite applications (G.Sewar et al., 2008).Adding various organic

compost to the soil resulted increase growth characters, yield and chemical constituents of

rosemary and Tagetes erecta plant (Khalil et al., 2002).An other study on maiz increase in maiz

growth with the use of organic material has been observed by Muhammad et al., 2007. Wheat

gave highly significant response to organic manures and compost application a comparison of

fresh weight dry weight with that of control (Ibrahim et al., 2008; Andaleeb et al., 2008).The

impact of organic manures on the improvement of soil such as physical biological and chemical

properties.The soil parameters pH, OOC, TOC, OM, also increased by using compost tea waste.

Additions of organic manures result in increased soil organic matter content. Many reports have

shown that this results in increased water holding capacity, porosity, infiltration capacity,

32

hydraulic conductivity and water stable aggregation and decreased bulk density and surface

crusting (R.J. Haynes & R. Naidu 1997). Compost used to improve soil physical and biological

properties i.e., water retention capacity, drainage, pH, better availability of soil micro-organism

and reducing the negative impact of chemical based pesticides and fertilizers in the ecosystems

(Zheljazkov and Warman, 2004). When soils are low in organic matter content, application of

organic matter will increase the amount of N (and other nutrients) available to plants through

enhanced microbial activity. The number of microbes in the soil will also multiply, as they can

use the organic matter as a source of energy. Where the number of fungi and bacteria associated

with the breakdown of organic matter increases, there may be some improvements to the soil

structure. Adding organic matter can also increase the activity of earthworms, which in turn can

also improve soil aggregation (Alexandra Bot 2005).

4.2. CONCULOSION

From the all experimental work it was observed that tea waste is supposed to be a good organic

fertilizer as increase the organic matter in soil. It was observed that the applications of different

compost tea waste work as good organic manures increase the growth, biomass, chlorophyll and

height of plant. Tea waste also increases the soil properties such as pH, OOC, TOC, OM were

increased by using different treatments of compost tea waste.

33

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34

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