Preparation of nitrogen and phosphorus-enriched paddy straw compost and its effect on yield and nutrient uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Summary A nutrient-rich compost from paddy straw was prepared using urea and Mussoorie rock phosphate for N and P enrichment respectively. Inorganic N was partly conserved in the compost by the addition of pyrite. Citric-acid-soluble P also increased with the addition of pyrite. Compost containing about 1.6% total N and 3.3% total P was found to be a good source of P for a wheat crop and also supplied a significant amount of N to the plants.