'Congress grass' makes good compost, says researcher

Nagpur, June 3: In research that could turn a liability into an
asset and benefit millions of farmers across the country, a vicious
weed that sucks vital micronutrients from the soil and inhibits
growth of other plants in the vicinity besides causing allergy among
humans was turned into compost of superior quality that resulted in
a higher yield in a test crop.

The conclusion is the result of a detailed study of the
biodegradation of the biomass of parthenium hysterophorous, commonly
known as 'congress grass' in India, into compost, carried out by Dr
Gouri Shrikrishna Kshirsagar, a lecturer in Biology at Labour Camp
Junior College at CAD (Central Ammunition Depot) in Pulgaon Camp in
Wardha district in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.

This was the first time in the country that the congress grass,
compost was subjected to extensive analysis and field trials.

Rasthrasant Tukdoji Maharaj (RTM) Nagpur University recently awarded
a doctorate in science to Dr Kshirsagar for her research on the
topic. According to Dr Kshirsagar, compost prepared from 'congress
grass' resulted in up to 88 per cent higher yield in wheat and
relatively higher vegetation in mustard during field trials.

This was in addition to the common benefit of pest control
associated with the 'usual' compost prepared from other kind of
biomass, Dr Kshirsagar told UNI.

Converting 'congress grass' into compost would contribute in
preventing its rapid proliferation by getting rid of its seeds. It
will also check but also of the hazardous toxic substance found in
the weed, 'parthenin,' which caused severe allergy among humans, she
said.

Dr Kshirsagar said that the compost made from 'congress grass' had
higher content of phosphorous and potash, thus making it good for
crop that needed more of these nutrients. It also resulted in better
soil texture by improving the water-retention capacity and porosity
of the soil, she said.

--- UNI

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