Insights into the bioconversion of Ageratum conyzoides into a nutrient-rich compost and its toxicity assessment: nutritional and quality assessment through instrumental analysis

Ageratum conyzoides is an intrusive terrestrial waste spread worldwide and adversely impacting neighboring cultivated crops by replacing them . This study aims in producing a value-added and non-toxic product by biologically treating the plant blended with inoculum and bulking agent using a rotary drum composter (RDC). The composter was competent in increasing nutritional parameters such as nitrogen (50.1%), total phosphorous (18.4%), and potassium (26.1%) while decreasing lignin (42.4%), hemicellulose (39.1%), and cellulose (47.1%) in the final day (20th day) compared to the initial day. The spectroscopic analysis showed a significant increase in nutrients, decrease in cellulose content, and functional group variations in the final compost. The thermal and micrographic studies reveal the level of degradation. The phytotoxicity study showed a significant increase in germination index percentage (40.7%), root length (72.6%), shoot length (53.7%), and biomass (47.5%) in Vigna radiata and root length (67.2%) and biomass (46.2%) in Allium cepa exposed to final compost extract compared to A. conyzoides extract of same concentrations, w hereas the cyto-genotoxicity assay showed a substantial increase in mitotic index and reduction in aberrant cell percentages in A. cepa root tips exposed to final compost extract compared to A. conyzoides extract. The Pearson correlation coefficient study revealed substantial correlation coefficients between biodegradation and nutritional factors. As a result, the A. conyzoides compost is safe for the environment and could be used as a soil conditioner in crop cultivation. Graphical abstract