5.1 Introduction
In developing countries like India, distillery industries are one of the major sources
of pollution. About 3,50,000 L of effluent molasses, 20,000 L of yeast sludge/day,
and 120,000 L of spent malt grain wash were disposed every day (Suthar 2008).
Though the distillery effluent contains heavy metals and pathogens, the distillery
sludge is reported to be a good source of nutrients too. Hence, the application of such
distillery sludge after proper treatment such as composting or vermicomposting
would improve soil fertility and facilitate plant growth. Vermicompost of varied
wastes were found to improve the plant quality, plant yield, and soil fertility and
thereby reduce the need for inorganic fertilizers. Researchers prove that the application of chemical fertilizers affects soil fertility and drastically reduces the antioxidant and micro- and macronutrient levels in plants. Further the application of
organic composts were found to improve the antioxidant defense system ensuring
sustainability (Carbonaro et al. 2002)
Among various crops, radish is found to be one of the easily cultivable plants, and
the literature suggests its nature of indicating pollution (Mathe-Gaspar and Anton
2002). Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is reported to hold high amount of vitamin C,
carotene, and nutrient-rich compounds. Reports suggest Raphanus sativus L. as a
good medicine for cold, flu, fever, cough, respiratory problems and digestive
disorders, jaundice, piles, urinary disorder, weight loss and cancer, leukoderma,
skin disorders, kidney disorders, respiratory disorders, bronchitis and asthma, acidity, obesity, sore throat, dyspepsia, liver disorder, and gallbladder stones and a good
detoxifier.
Having known the toxic nature of various chemical fertilizers, usage of organic
fertilizer has increased worldwide so as to conserve the environment. Consequently,
many literatures cite that the application of vermicompost improves the imperative
macronutrient (N, P 2 O 5 , K 2 O, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu)
content of the plants. Hence, the present investigation included the (a) comparison of
the growth, yield, and mineral content, (b) antioxidant levels, and (c) protein expression in organic compost and chemical fertilizer-grown radish plants.
5.2 Materials and Methods
5.2.1 Organic Compost
Distillery sludge compost, vermicompost, and vegetable waste vermicompost were
prepared using respective wastes collected from the industry situated near Trichy
and the canteen of Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
70
S. Sugumar et al.
In developing countries like India, distillery industries are one of the major sources
of pollution. About 3,50,000 L of effluent molasses, 20,000 L of yeast sludge/day,
and 120,000 L of spent malt grain wash were disposed every day (Suthar 2008).
Though the distillery effluent contains heavy metals and pathogens, the distillery
sludge is reported to be a good source of nutrients too. Hence, the application of such
distillery sludge after proper treatment such as composting or vermicomposting
would improve soil fertility and facilitate plant growth. Vermicompost of varied
wastes were found to improve the plant quality, plant yield, and soil fertility and
thereby reduce the need for inorganic fertilizers. Researchers prove that the application of chemical fertilizers affects soil fertility and drastically reduces the antioxidant and micro- and macronutrient levels in plants. Further the application of
organic composts were found to improve the antioxidant defense system ensuring
sustainability (Carbonaro et al. 2002)
Among various crops, radish is found to be one of the easily cultivable plants, and
the literature suggests its nature of indicating pollution (Mathe-Gaspar and Anton
2002). Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is reported to hold high amount of vitamin C,
carotene, and nutrient-rich compounds. Reports suggest Raphanus sativus L. as a
good medicine for cold, flu, fever, cough, respiratory problems and digestive
disorders, jaundice, piles, urinary disorder, weight loss and cancer, leukoderma,
skin disorders, kidney disorders, respiratory disorders, bronchitis and asthma, acidity, obesity, sore throat, dyspepsia, liver disorder, and gallbladder stones and a good
detoxifier.
Having known the toxic nature of various chemical fertilizers, usage of organic
fertilizer has increased worldwide so as to conserve the environment. Consequently,
many literatures cite that the application of vermicompost improves the imperative
macronutrient (N, P 2 O 5 , K 2 O, Ca, and Mg) and micronutrient (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu)
content of the plants. Hence, the present investigation included the (a) comparison of
the growth, yield, and mineral content, (b) antioxidant levels, and (c) protein expression in organic compost and chemical fertilizer-grown radish plants.
5.2 Materials and Methods
5.2.1 Organic Compost
Distillery sludge compost, vermicompost, and vegetable waste vermicompost were
prepared using respective wastes collected from the industry situated near Trichy
and the canteen of Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
70
S. Sugumar et al.