Abstract:
The over-use of synthetic chemical fertilizer has an adverse effect on the environment. To
overcome this issue, usage of alternate sources of nutrients is essential. Chlorella sp.(C) is a green
microalga which has been identified as a potential bio-fertilizer. The present study was intended
for identifying the potential of Chlorella sp. grown in dairy effluent as a complementary liquid
organic fertilizer (CLOF) on growth and yield of finger millet (Elusine coracana L.). Nutrient
content of CLOF namely nitrogen (Kjeldhal method), phosphorous (Spectrophotometer method),
and potassium (Flame photometer method) was analyzed. A greenhouse pot experiment was
conducted to study about the effect of CLOF as foliar spray in combination with organic or
inorganic sources on the growth and yield of finger millet (Elusine coracana L.). The treatments
were T1 – control, T2- 100% inorganic fertilizer (IF), T3 – 75% IF + 25% CLOF, T4 – 50% IF + 50%
CLOF, T5 – 25% IF + 75% CLOF, T6 – 100% Vermicompost (VC), T7 – 75% VC + 50% CLOF, T8 –
50% VC + 50% CLOF, T9 – 25% VC + 75% CLOF, arranged in CRD design with four replicates. The
CLOF was diluted (1/5 times) and a total of 150 ml, 100 ml and 50 ml per plant was applied to
treatments 75%, 50% and 25% CLOF respectively. For each treatment with CLOF, the required
amount of nitrogen was applied by changing the volume of spray in eight split doses. Data analysis
was done by using the SAS statistical analytical system with Duncan’s multiple range test at
p=0.05 significant level. The nutrient content of CLOF was 1% nitrogen, 0.58% phosphorous and
0.67% potassium. In the greenhouse experiment, the results of plant height, leaf number, effective
tiller number, ear number, weight of the yield and nutrient content of plant tissue (total nitrogen,
total phosphorous and total potassium) revealed that, the T4 (50% IF+ 50% CLOF) treatment
gave the equal or higher values as that of T2 (100% IF). In addition, T8 (50% VC + 50% CLOF) and
T3 (75% IF+ 25% CLOF) showed comparable values in most growth parameters and yield as that
of T2. T1 (control) showed the significantly lowest results in all parameters. This study, therefore,
highlights the potential of using Chlorella sp. cultivated in dairy wastewater as a nutrient source
for crop production as a complementary liquid organic fertilizer.
