“Enhanced Tomato plant growth in presence of a novel microbial consortia useful in bio-organic waste degradation-A pilot level field study”

Abstract

Sustainable use of natural resources and reuse of wastes has become an important global concern which promotes the efficiency of ecological system and promotes health by decreasing disease transmission and can contribute to increase in agricultural yield. In underdeveloped and developing countries, mal nutrition constitutes approximately 14% of global burden of disease, which supersedes the sanitation related disease, which is only 3.4% (Lopez et al., 2006). Human wastes contain millions of tons of fertilizer equivalents, which is roughly 20% to 30% of global industrial fertilizer production, annually (Winker et al., 2009). To main agricultural yields at high levels over the years, the nutrients removed by crops have to be replaced. For example, urine is rich in nitrogen, which is most limiting nutrient for plant growth while feces are rich in phosphorous, potassium and recalcitrant organic matter which can give substantial yield, especially on poor soil (Jonsson et al., 2004). This data reflects the urgent need of sustainable technologies of developing the agricultural practices towards improving the nutrient quality of foods. Hence, the developing nations like India are in great need of sustainable reuse oriented sanitational technologies, which prevent disease and promote health. Hence, the current research focusses on developing a sustainable technology which is microbial based conversion of human and animal excrements into agriculturally useful organic manure.