Comparative Quality Assessment of Locally Produced PSN-Enriched Compost, Vermicompost and Azolla Compost under Nagaland Conditions

Background: Reliance on native soil fertility without external nutrient inputs can cause nutrient mining. Identifying practices that replenish soil fertility while minimizing environmental impacts is important. The present study aimed to produce three types of compost, viz. PSN-enriched compost, vermicompost and azolla compost, from locally available substrates and evaluate their chemical and biochemical properties. Methods: Banana pseudo stem, green weed biomass (mixed weed spp.), paddy straw and FYM were used as locally available substrates. PSN-enriched compost was produced in earthen pits, vermicompost in portable vermibags and azolla compost in concrete pots under a shed. Five replicated units were used for each compost type. Result: PSN-enriched compost recorded a C:N ratio of 9.29 and nutrient contents of 2.0%, 0.61% and 1.91% for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively. Azolla compost recorded high organic carbon (16.93%), total carbon (30.92%) and nitrogen (3.0%), together with favorable biochemical properties, indicating its potential as a nutrient source for arable crops. The findings demonstrate the potential for producing different composts from locally available substrates as a viable nutrient management strategy in the hilly terrain of Nagaland.