IJEP 43(2): 170-174 : Vol. 43 Issue. 2 (February 2023)
1. Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- 600 119, India
2. Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, School of Management Studies, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- 600 119, India
3. Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology, Department of Biotechnology, A.V. Campus, Paiyanoor, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu – 603 104, India
Abstract
Multipurpose agri-drones in addition to scanning and detecting the soil conditions are used for spraying fertilizers and pesticides uniformly over wide ranges. Liquid fertilizer is not only suitable for the purpose of spraying but also possesses certain benefits over solid fertilizers as it is easy to spray, non-viscid and promotes faster absorption. In this paper different formulations of varying ratios of liquid fertilizer were prepared with majority of the constituents readily available in nature, such as farm waste, agricultural residues and vegetable market wastes. This research focuses on optimum formulation capable of delivering maximum yield and also possessing low density which is well within the payload capacity of the agri-drone. Liquid fertilizer was prepared by aerobically decomposing a mixture of cow dung, vegetable waste and epsom salt in six different ratios. The various batches named B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6 were allowed to decompose for a month and the compost leachate or liquid extract formed was taken and applied on tomato plants on a weekly basis. The physico-chemical and biological characterization studies of liquid extract revealed that the best performance was from batch B2 and density of prepared fertilizer was comparatively lesser than few commercially used fertilizers hence affirming its application in agri-drones.
Keywords
Liquid fertilizer, Low density, Waste, Tomato, Agri-drones
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