Identification of Nutrient Contents in Six Potential Green Biomasses for Developing Liquid Organic Fertilizer in Closed Agricultural Production System

Abstract

The use of solid organic fertilizer in closed agricultural production system must be combined with foliar application to improve fertilizing effectiveness.  Nutrient contents in tissues of green biomass determine the quality of liquid organic fertilizer. Six potential green biomasses, Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray, Gliricidia sepium  (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp., Leucaena leucocephala (Lamk.) de Wit, Ageratum conyzoides L., Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)  Solms,  and banana corms were identified its nutrient contents.  Samples were dried at 60^oC for 48 hours, grinded, analyzed for N, P, K, Ca-ex, Mg-ex, C, cellulose and lignin contents. Results indicated that T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides had the highest N content compared to other biomasses.  A. conyzoides had the highest P content, followed by T. diversifolia.   A. conyzoides had the highest K content, followed by G. sepium.  The highest Ca-ex content was in L. leucocephala, followed by A. conyzoides. The highest Mg-ex content was found in A. conyzoides, followed by L. leucocephala. The highest C content was found in E.crassipes, followed by G. Sepium.  T. diversifolia had the highest cellulose content, followed by E.crassipes.  Lignin content of all biomasses was similar.  Lastly, E.crassipes had the highest C/N compared to other biomass, and both  T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides had the lowest C/N. It is concluded that  A. conyzoides  is the most promising green biomass for production of liquid organic fertilizer, followed by T. diversifolia and G. sepium.