Utilization of Fruit Waste Compost to Enhance Growth and Yield of Malabar Spinach (Basella alba)

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of different decomposed fruit wastes with rates on the growth and yield of Malabar spinach (Basella alba). Recycling organic wastes into nutrient-rich compost can assist organic farming and maintain soil health, fertility, and productivity, as well as reduce pollution in the face of rising waste, especially in urban areas. So, the conversion of fruit peels into compost will be beneficial both for soil nutrition and environmental pollution from the sense of solid waste management. In this regard, an experiment was carried out to investigate the growth and yield of Malabar spinach at different composts with their rates of application.  Jackfruit, banana, and mango peel compost and four different rates of application (0, 1000, 1500, and 2000 kg ha-1) were undertaken as the experimental treatments. The factorial experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. From the experiment, it was investigated that mango peel compost resulted in the highest growth and yield attributes, followed by banana and jackfruit peel compost, respectively. On the other hand, compost application at 2000 kg ha-1 showed significantly higher results in growth and yield than 1500 kg ha-1, 1000 kg ha-1, and control, respectively. The study showed a strongly positive correlation for leaf number, shoot and root length, and plant fresh weight, but a negative or no correlation was investigated in plant dry weight for jackfruit peel compost. From the findings of this study, it can be suggested that, among the formulations, mango and banana fruit peel compost at a rate of 2000 kg ha-1 is beneficial for the growth and productivity of crops. The use of seasonal fruit peels for compost preparation may reduce the waste load from the environment and ultimate minimize environmental pollution. These results, however, are limited to a single-pot trial and cannot be applied to other situations. Field tests will be the main focus of future research to support this suggestion.