Application of Household Generated Floral Wastes (Tagetes Spp.) as Biofertilizer for the Tulsi (Ocimum Tenuiflorum) Plant

The present work focuses on using Marigold flowers (discarded from households after offerings to God) as a biofertilizer for the commonly grown Tulsi plant (Ocimum tenuiflorum). A comparative study was conducted using Pot Experiment. Floral wastes were mixed in the soil of Tulsi plant directly and in powdered form. Untreated Tulsi plant was kept as a control. The chlorophyll content in the leaves of the Tulsi Plant and soil parameters (pH, conductivity, organic matter and NPK values) were calculated for all the three plants during study period of three months. The soil provided with powdered floral wastes showed better plant growth without any side effects as compared to that of the other two plants. This shows that soil with powdered floral wastes improved soil fertility to a large extent and hence acted as a Biofertilizer. Hence, the present work can be used as an ecofriendly and cost effective alternative for use of household generated floral wastes as a biofertilizer for the potted plants at houses itself. This reuse of floral wastes will in turn reduce its discharge in the water bodies and hence will reduce water pollution due to anthropogenic activities to some extent.