ASSESSING THE QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF ARECA NUT (ARECA CATECHU L.) LEAF SHEATH WASTE TO FIND ITS SUITABILITY FOR BIO-COMPOSTINGSABITHADEVI R, SIVASUBRAMANIAN K., MAHESHWARI M. AND KARTHIKEYAN S.Abstract Arecanut palm leaf sheath is serving as a potential eco-friendly alternative for plastic and paper products such as plates, food container and spoon, etc. Increased usage of these areca products is resulting in high amount of wastes in urban centres of India. Biodegradation of these wastes is slow due to its high lignin (17.12 per cent) and cellulose (64.48 per cent) content. Hence an attempt was made to characterize these wastes to find its amenability for bio-composting. The nutritive and non-nutritive characteristics were analyzed using ICP-MS and standard methodologies. It was observed that this waste contains all macro and micro nutrients required for plant growth with a high carbon to nitrogen ratio. Blending with suitable nitrogen rich wastes such as cow dung and poultry manures with effective microbial cultures will enhance its biodegradation. |