Enhancement of agricultural productivity through application of compost produced using rice husks (Oryza sativa) and water fern (Azolla pinnata).

Leonard, Leopord Sibomana; Chacha, Nyangi; Kingshashu, Athumani Ayubu

Purpose: Composting agro-wastes enhances plant growth with minimal health and environmental threats. Thus, this study focused on the potential of composting rice husk (Oryza sativa) with water fern plants(azolla) to increase agricultural productivity with minimal health and environmental pollutions. Method: The study employed laboratory experimentation and analysis. In experimental design the Minitab software was used to design these experiments whereby two factors were considered which are the particle size (2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm) and mixing ratio (1:3; 1:1; 3:1 and 4:0; 0:4). Fifteen (15) wood compartments with dimensions of 30 cm × 30 cm × 35 cm each cube of maximum carrying capacity of 5 kg were developed. Results: The results for physical and chemical properties of feedstock's showed that rice husks contained 8.55% of Moisture Content, pH (6.15), total organic carbon (46.1%), ash content (20.6%), PO3-4 (2475 mg/kg), K (5042 mg/kg), Na (1490.4 mg/kg), total nitrogen (0.735%) and Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (34.21). Azolla contained Moisture Content (93.48%), pH (6.73), TOC (42.67%), TN (3.255%), C/N ratio (13.02%), PO3-4, (4262.5mg/kg), K (1268 mg/kg), and Na (7379.52 mg/kg). The composting made using samples with particle size of < 2 mm were observed to support the growth of Amaranthus spinous quickly with the average growth rate of 0.9572 cm/day than other compost produced with particles size of 3 mm and 4 mm. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a potential of composting rice husks with azolla for nutrient resource recovery to support crop productivity.

WASTE recycling; RICE hulls; WASTE management; AGRICULTURAL productivity; RICE; COMPOSTING

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, 2025, Vol 14, Issue 1, p1

2195-3228

Academic Journal

10.57647/ijrowa-4w85-ta12