Valorization of Water Hyacinth with Vegetable Waste and Goat Dung for Improved Growth of Maize Plants

Co-composting of water hyacinth, vegetable waste, and goat dung was performed with a ratio of 5:2:1 for a period of 60 days. Water hyacinth is rich in hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. In the initial co-composting bulking agent, the moisture content was high (71 +/- 2%), and it decreased continuously during composting. The compost reached the mesophilic phase (2 to 10 days), the short thermophilic phase (10 to 18 days), the maturing phase (18 to 40 days), and the cooling phase (40 to 60 days). The increased temperature was observed at the thermophilic stage due to microbial activity. The pH of the composting manure ranged from 6.53 +/- 0.02 to 7.12 +/- 0.01. The mature compost achieved a stable pH after six weeks. The proteolytic, cellulolytic, and ligninolytic bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in the compost digested the lignin and cellulosic substrates and composted the organic matter. The organic matter content decreased during the maturation phase. A field experiment was performed to determine the efficacy of compost materials. Water hyacinth compost improved maize growth in terms of root height, shoot height, and leaf chlorophyll content. The co-composting method is used to produce nutrient-rich nitrogen sources for organic amendment and to improve crop yield.