BOOSTING OKRA GROWTH: TURNING WEEDS AND MICROBES INTO POWERFUL BIO-FERTILIZER

As the need for organic farming grows, finding sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilizers
became crucial. This study explores a solution for dual-purpose: managing the invasive weed
Celosia argentea by converting it into nutrient-rich vermicompost using goat dung, and then
biofortifying it with endophytic bacteria to see if it can maximize its potential. The aim was to
study about how this enhanced compost affects the growth of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus).
Four efficient endophytic strains were isolated from healthy Okra plants and characterised to
create a microbial booster tailored to the crop. The experiment compared three distinct
conditions: a control group using plain soil, a group treated with standard vermicompost
(weed biomass + goat dung), and a group treated with the biofortified vermicompost (standard
compost + consortium of the 4 bacterial endophytes).
The difference in growth was evident. While the standard vermicompost performed better
than the plain soil, the biofortified version was the clear standout. Okra plants grown in the
biofortified mixture showed the most significant improvements seed germination, plant
height, fruit length, yield biomass, and overall chlorophyll content. This suggests a powerful
synergy: the vermicompost provides the organic matter, while the native endophytes likely
help the plant unlock and absorb those nutrients more efficiently. Ultimately, this research
highlights a practical way to turn agricultural waste and weeds into a high-value, eco-friendly
fertilizer that significantly boosts crop yield.