POULTRY FEATHERS DEGRADED BY GAMMA IRRADIATED Basillus Subtilis CAN PROMOTE COTTON GROWTH

Continuous production of poultry feathers (PF) is an environmental threat as limited microbes can degrade them Bazillus subtilis (BS) is one of those. It was hypothesized that gamma irradiated BS strains may show improved decomposition of poultry feathers. Hence producing good bio-fertilizer from a keratin rich waste material (PF). BS spores (1 x 107 spores/ml) were treated with gamma irradiation (0.1, 0.5 and 1.5Kgy). Irradiated and wild BS strains were applied to air dried PF for 30 and 60 days. Resultant biodegraded products (BDPs) were analysed for olour, size, NPK, moisture content, pH, EC, organic matter and N:C ratio. Cotton seeds were supplemented with prepared BDPs (3g/kg soil and 4g/kg soil), in different combinations (Soil, soil+PF, soil+ PF +Broth medium). Compost's NPK, N:C and K/Na showed positive correlation with seedling characteristics. In support to our hypothesis, PF was good for plants but with decreased growth rate. Overall all BDPs imply positive effect upon cotton growth. Where better was displayed by 60 days irradiated BDPs. Gamma (0.5Kgy) irradiated BS produced best BDP followed by other irradiated and wild strains. Both rates of BDP supplementation were comparable for results. So making it economic 3g/kg soil can be recommended in future. In future even some lower concentrations may be checked for similar objective.