Bioconversion of Mixed Fruit Waste as a Potential Source of Biogas and Organic Fertilizer

This paper investigates the bioconversion of mixed fruit waste as a potential source of biogas and organic fertilizer. The initial and final total solids (TS) of substrates were 19.15 and 8.76 % respectively. The volatile solids (VS) of the substrate before and after digestion were 95.11 and 54.94% respectively. The TS/VS lost in fermenter was found to be 0.16. On the sixtieth day of planting the maximum plant height was T-3 250.31 cm for 50:50 % NPK fertilizers and neither biogas residue, followed by 100% NPK fertilizer with 242.65 cm, control with no NPK fertilizer nor biogas residue of 241.73 cm while 100% biogas residue has the lowest with 203.65 cm. The result for 1000 grain weight shows that 50:50 % NPK fertilizer and biogas residue has the highest weight of 276.34 grams, followed by ! 00 NPK fertilizer with 254.78 grams, 100% biogas residue has 240.12 grams while the control with no NPK nor biogas residue added has the least weight of 188.56 grams. The study also shows that residue left after the production of biogas is a valuable organic fertilizer that can be used as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer in maize production and soil fertility. Yield of maize was significantly increased over that of the control. Markedly influenced by the application of organo-minerals, NPK fertilizer and their combination as observed from the increased plant height, diameter of plant stem, leaf area and Weight of 1000 kernels compared to the control. Biogas residue has therefore proved to be environmentally friendly and an effective fertilizer. The use of locally available, nutrient rich organic sources is an effective means for improving soil fertility and increasing crop yield in view of the escalating cost of inorganic fertilizers and low fertilizer use efficiency of crops.