Em.1 compost and its effects on the nodulation,growth,and yield of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) crop

To wisely utilize local organic resources and enhance their quality in order to effectively fertilize agricultural crops,a blend of organic resources,comprising cow manure,poultry manure,and kitchen waste (2:1:1 ratio by volume),was composted with (compostem.1) and without (compostplain) effective microorganisms (em.1). various parameters including temperature,ph,carbon (c),nitrogen (n),and the c/n ratio were recorded during composting to assess the effects of em.1 on this process. after completion of the composting process,the effects of the resultant composts on the nodulation,growth,and yield of berseem (trifolium alexandrinum l.) crop were tested in a field trial. temperature and ph were lower and the n content was higher in compostem.1 than in compostplain throughout composting. c degradation was also faster in compostem.1 than in compostplain. consequently,the c/n ratio stabilized faster in compostem.1,leading to rapid completion of composting. in the field trial,composts showed no significant effect on nodulation or the shoot-to-root ratio. however,in comparison to compostplain,compostem.1 significantly increased the leaf-to-stem ratio and the fresh and dry yields of berseem. we conclude that em.1 enhances the composting process and the yield of berseem crop. © 2015,pakistan botanical society. all rights reserved.