Turning leaf litter into compost within 24 hrs, agri varsity leads in sustainable waste management

Stepping towards sustainable waste management and environmental conservation, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has introduced innovative leaf shredder and composter machines at its landscape nursery. These machines enable the rapid decomposition of leaf litter, significantly reducing the time required for organic waste conversion into nutrient-rich compost.

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal remarked, “The adoption of these advanced composting technologies aligns with our commitment to environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. By transforming leaf litter into valuable organic fertiliser, we are setting an example for institutions and communities to follow.”

The university experiences substantial leaf fall from deciduous trees during the summer months, particularly in March and April. Traditionally, composting such organic material involved burying leaves in pits with water, a process that took nearly a year for complete decomposition. However, the newly introduced leaf decomposer machine achieves partial decomposition within just 24 hours, dramatically enhancing efficiency. This rapid breakdown is further supported by the leaf shredder, which chops leaves and tender twigs into smaller fragments, and the application of specially developed microbial formulations that accelerate decomposition and enrich the final compost.

Dr Rishi Indra Singh Gill, estate officer, PAU, emphasised the scientific advancements behind the project. “The Department of Microbiology, in collaboration with the Department of Soil Science, is optimising the decomposition process to enhance compost quality. The partially decomposed leaf litter is further processed in composting pits for about a month, improving its physicochemical properties. This approach not only expedites waste conversion but also enriches the compost with essential nutrients.”

Leaf litter typically has low nitrogen content, but the combination of this advanced composting machine with microbial consortia significantly improves nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Additionally, micronutrients such as zinc, iron, copper, and manganese were found to be higher in the compost produced through this method. Importantly, analysis using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer confirmed that the compost is free from heavy metal contamination, making it an ideal, eco-friendly alternative for sustainable crop production.

This breakthrough was made possible with the dedicated efforts of Col Jasjit Singh Gill, an environmentalist, whose technical inputs and coordination with the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation facilitated the procurement and operationalisation of these machines.

Ludhiana