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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/SAgri/06
Application of cotton gin waste compost improves phenology, soil biological activities,
bioavailability of nutrients and agronomy of cotton

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Hafiz Muhammad Rashad Javeed , Mazhar Ali , Shehryar Liaqat , Muhammad Mubeen ,
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Rimsha Naeem , Nasir Masood
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus
Correspondence: rashadjaveed@cuivehari.edu.pk
Abstract:
Cotton gin waste compost (CGWC) was applied to dentine its effect on the phenology, soil
biological activities and quality of wheat crop in a two-year field study. Such study is very
desirable to determine the suitability of agricultural organic waste for improving the soil health
in the arid climate. The present study was designed to study the hypothesis that co-application
of CGWC and synthetic fertilizers will improve the soil fertility and productivity in cotton-
wheat cropping systems. The present study was carried out at the experimental area of
Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus
using the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangements in 2020-
2021 and repeated thrice. Five piles of cotton gin waste were made and then each pile was
sprayed with five different urea solutions (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 %). Six treatments were applied to
the soil as CGWC-0 (control; no compost), CGWC-1, CGWC-2, CGWC-3, CGWC-4 and
CGWC-5, corresponds to its application rate @ 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%. The synthetic fertilizer
sources such as Urea, DAP and SOP were applied after deducting the nutrients received from
the compost. Different parameters of cotton like physiological parameters, grain mineral
contents, soil enzymatic, soil microbial biomass and weed characteristics were determined.
Higher dose of CGWC was showed phytotoxicity to the seedling emergence of cotton crop. It
was observed that cotton gin waste improved physiological attributes, grain mineral contents,
soil enzymatic and microbial biomass and weed characteristics were determined during both
year of study (2020-2021). The physiological and agronomic attributes were improved in the
plots where CGWC-4 were applied followed by CGWC-5 that was statistically at par with
CGWC-3 and CGWC-2. Improved soil enzymatic and soil microbial biomass carbon was noted
in the CGWC-4 as compared to all other cotton gin waste compost treatments and CGWC-0.
Additionally, it is also noted that the grain mineral contents were also improved. The results of
our current study concluded that if we use cotton gin waste compost at the long run, it will be
very profitable in terms of sustainable agriculture as well as in management of agricultural
waste. Moreover, it will reduce the dependency of farmers on the synthetic fertilizers and also
significantly lower impot bill of chemical fertilizers.

Keywords: CGWC; synthetic fertilizers; soil fertility

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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