Effect of Vermicomposting and Composting of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) on Growth, Yield and Quality of Chickpea

The present investigation was undertaken with an objective to understand the effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) vermicompost and compost on growth, yield and quality of chickpea. The experiment was laid in randomized block design with three replications and seven treatments viz, T1 - RDF, T2 - RDF + vermicompost of MSW @ 2.5 t ha-1, T3 - RDF + vermicompost of MSW @ 5 t ha-1, T4 - RDF + vermicompost of MSW @ 7.5 t ha-1, T5 - RDF + compost of MSW @ 2.5 t ha-1, T6 -compost of MSW @ 5 t ha-1, T7 -compost of MSW @ 7.5 t ha-1. The field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Latur farm during the Rabi season 2016-2017. The recommended dose of fertilizer (25:50:00 N: P: K) and MSW vermicompost and compost was applied at the time of sowing. The results of field experiment revealed that the maximum availability of macro and micronutrients in soil, growth attributes viz. plant height and number of branches in all growth stages of chickpea were found at application of 7.5 tones of MSW vermicompost ha-1 along with 100% RDF (25:50:00 NPK) followed by application of 7.5 tones MSW compost ha-1 along with 100% RDF and which was significantly increased with increased levels of MSW vermicompost and compost. Similar trend was observed in case of yield and quality parameters viz., protein content of chickpea.