Abstract: Background and Objective: The major cause of environmental degradation and solid waste generation are over-population, pollution, industrialization and urbanization. The present study was designed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of vermicompost prepared from temple waste. Materials and Methods: Different sets, in set-I temple waste and dung were taken in a 2:2 ratio (1.50: 1.50 kg). In set-II temple waste and leaves were taken in the basket as 2:2 ratios (1.50: 1.50 kg). In set-III, temple waste, leaves and dung as 2:1:1 ratio (1.50: 0.75: 0.75 kg) were taken. In set-IV, temple waste, dung and Trichoderma were taken as 2:2 ratio with 25 g Trichoderma (1.50 kg: 1.50 kg+ 25 g). In set-V, temple waste, leaves and Trichoderma were kept in ratio 2:2+25 g (1.50 kg: 1.50 kg: 25g). In set-VI, temple waste, leaves, dung and Trichoderma as ratio 2:1:1+25 g (1.50 kg: 0.75 kg: 0.75 kg+25 g). The physicochemical characteristics were evaluated during pre and post decomposed stages. Results: In physical parameters, electrical conductivity, moisture content and volatile matter showed a significant decrease while ash content was found to significant increase. In chemical parameters pH content, total organic carbon, organic carbon content nitrogen content, C:P ratio, total sodium content and CEC/C ratio exhibits slight increase and C:N ratio, total potassium content, total phosphorus content and calcium content show a significant decrease. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that temple waste can be managed easily with the help of vermicomposting process and promote its use publically. PubDate: 19 April, 2022
Abstract: Background and Objective: During the pre-industrialization phase in developing countries, one of the strategies for the intensification of agricultural production is the evaluation of agricultural mechanization. The study aimed to assess the status of agricultural mechanization in two governorates of North-Western Tunisia according to farmers’ competencies. Materials and Methods: Agricultural mechanization statue of two governorates of Northwestern Tunisia was analyzed according to farmers’ skills. The factor analysis methods (MCA and PCA) were used to analyze correspondences and the effect of farmers’ skills on agricultural mechanization indices. Results: The MCA analysis allowed to provide two factorial axes with a low contribution of the variables related to farmer’s competence (2.39%) and the indices of mechanization (less than 30%) for axis 1. Axis 2 explained 40% of the variance and was supported by crop and cropping operations with strong contributions to its construction (>80%). The PCA and MCA results revealed that the average level of mechanization efficiency was low (about 7.36%) with a power gap of 9.33 hp ha–1 between smallholders and large farms with a predominance of mechanization for large crops. Conclusion: The farmers of the two governorates are generally poorly educated and have limited knowledge of mechanization, which does not exceed 3.2%. PubDate: 19 April, 2022
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