Uzma Sajid

Pressmud, a by-product of sugarcane processing, is typically disposed of through incineration or landfilling, though it has considerable potential in organic agriculture. This study explored the composting of pressmud through bioaugmentation using specific bacterial strains. Two experimental setups were created: E2 with a cellulolytic and phosphorus-solubilizing strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-ASK11, and E3 with a nitrogen-fixing strain, Bacillus megaterium-ASNF3. A control setup (E1) was also maintained without bacterial augmentation. Results indicated that the Bacillus-enhanced composts in E2 and E3 showed significant increases of 129% and 83% in nitrogen and of 49% and 91% in phosphorus contents, respectively, after 60 days. Additionally, organic matter decomposition improved by 49–50% in the bioaugmented setups after 60 days. FTIR analysis revealed organic phosphate peaks and P-O-C stretching bands at 1025 cm⁻¹ in the E2 compost, while a nitrogen vibration band at 3849 cm⁻¹ in E3 indicated significantly higher nitrogen content compared to the control. The Bacillus-enriched pressmud compost not only accelerated the composting process but also enhanced nutrient levels, positioning it as a promising biofertilizer for rehabilitating barren lands.

Pressmud, a by-product of sugarcane processing, is typically disposed of through incineration or landfilling, though it has considerable potential in organic agriculture. This study explored the com-posting of pressmud through bioaugmentation using specific bacterial strains. Two experimental setups were created: E2 with a cellulolytic and phosphorus-solubilizing strain, Bacillus amyloliquefa-ciens-ASK11, and E3 with a nitrogen-fixing strain, Bacillus megaterium-ASNF3. A control setup (E5) was also maintained without bacterial augmentation. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents were measured using the Kjeldahl and Olsen methods, respectively, while Fourier-Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed compost maturity. Results indicated that the Bacillus-enhanced composts in E2 and E3 significantly increased the nitrogen(49.27% and 91.23%) and phosphorus contents(129% and 83.85%), respectively, compared to the control with only 13.62% N and 65% P contents after 60 days of the pressmud compost maturity.. Additionally, organic matter decomposi-tion improved by 49-50% in the bioaugmented setups after 60 days. FTIR analysis revealed organic phosphate peaks and P-O-C stretching bands at 1025 cm-1 in the E2 compost, while a nitrogen vi-bration band at 3849 cm-1 in E3 indicated significantly higher nitrogen content compared to the control. The Bacillus-enriched pressmud compost not only accelerated the composting process but also enhanced nutrient levels, positioning it as a promising biofertilizer for rehabilitating barren lands.