Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSA! FROM PAPER MILL ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L VAR MAHSURI) PLANT

Sarat Kumar Dutta

Abstract

The solid waste disposal system of Nagaon paper Mill, Jagiroad,Assam is one of the major problem in the Jagiroad area. An attempt was made to investigate the physical and chemical properties of solid waste and soil in order to evaluate their effectiveness on productivity on rice plant. For the purpose, solid waste were taken and its particulate size pH, organic matter, texture, porosity, water holding capacity, water retaining capacity, sodium absorption ratio (SAR), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP),Total Alkalinity and water soluble anions and cations, carbonates, Bi-carbonates and chlorides, sodium, calcium, Magnesium, potassium, sulphur, phosphorus and iron were analysed. Similarly, plant height root characters, number of flower and fertilized flower and grain yield were estimated on rice plants.The plant growing on solid waste/soil mixture were compared with those growing on control soil. On the basis of physical and chemical properties of solid waste, grain produced by the plants growing in solid waste/soil mixture failed to produce the expected yield. It may be concluded that use of solid waste/soil mixture for paddy cultivation could not be recommended. Hence, for the disposal of solid waste an alternative arrangement should be made, such as disposal of solid waste for landfilling operations in the non-cultivated lands and wetlands may be recommended.