A techno-sustainable bio-waste management strategy for closing chickpea yield gap

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Soil Science

Background:

• Sustainable development necessitates effective waste management, particularly for nutrient-rich poultry industry by-products.
• Recycling agro-industrial bio-wastes like poultry abattoir sludge (PAS) offers a renewable fertilizer source for agricultural lands.
• Limited research exists on utilizing PAS for crop cultivation in soils with low organic matter and high pH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the applicability of recycled PAS for chickpea cultivation in low-fertility, high-pH soils.
• To evaluate the impact of PAS on chickpea nodulation, physiological adaptation, and crop yield.
• To establish a sustainable agricultural and industrial management strategy for poultry waste.

Main Methods:

• Two-year consecutive field experiments were conducted using chickpea as a model legume.
• PAS was applied at rates of 25, 50, and 100 kg N ha⁻¹ (T2, T3, T4), with unamended (T0) and fertilized (T1) controls.
• Image analysis was employed to assess leaf chlorophyll content and nodule color, correlating with nitrogen fixation and yield.

Main Results:

• PAS treatments significantly improved chlorophyll content, nodulation parameters, biomass, and grain yields.
• Chlorophyll content showed a strong positive correlation (r=0.910) with nodule red color values (RGB model).
• Chickpea yield increased by an average of 45% with PAS application at 50 kg N ha⁻¹ (T3).

Conclusions:

• Recycled PAS is a viable amendment for enhancing chickpea yield in marginal, low-fertility soils.
• Image analysis serves as a valuable digital tool for evaluating chlorophyll, nitrogen fixation, and forecasting yields.
• PAS application contributes to sustainable waste management and crop production, addressing the chickpea yield gap.