International Journal of Botany Studies 11 International Journal of Botany Studies ISSN: 2455-541X Impact Factor: RJIF 5.12 www.botanyjournals.com Volume 3; Issue 3; May 2018; Page No. 11-15 Crop residues utilization: Wheat, paddy, cotton, sugarcane and groundnut Ishwar Prakash Sharma 1* , Chandra Kanta 2 , Yogendra Singh Gusain 3 1 Department of Patanjali Herbal Research, Patanjali Research Institute, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India 2 Department of Botany, Doon (P.G) College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India 3 College of Forestry, Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India Abstract Crop residues are plants part which are left in the field after harvesting. These are good source of nutrients when added to the soil. These are not waste but they are the good natural resources. They contain all nutrients which are requiring for plant growth. Among these the important crops like Wheat, Paddy, Cotton, Sugarcane and Groundnut left large amount of residues in the ground which might be utilize by many ways. The aim of this article is to provide the use of such crop residues which has been left after harvesting in the field and it might be used in different fields like industry, nutrient and energy production etc. Keywords: crop residues, waste, nutrients, industry 1. Introduction Plant parts left after crop harvesting called crop residues which are the good source of soil nutrients. It is not a waste whereas a good natural resource and it is the largest part of agricultural harvests which contains huge amount of carbon and other nutrients viz. nitrogen phosphorus, sulfur, potassium etc. These elements must be recycled for the sustainable development of agriculture. Crop residues are not waste but it is a providers of essential environmental services, assuring the perpetuation of productive agro-ecosystem [1] . Crop residues can be a valuable resource for carbon sequestering and/or power generation [2] . It is also as organic material remains left behind on fields after harvesting, such as corn stalks and husks. Often this bulk holds more carbon than the crop itself. During a growth season, crops store carbon from air, and then exhale it as the crop residues rot, giving no net change in atmospheric CO2. Removal or burning of residue ensures farmers quick seedbed preparation and avoids the risk of reduced crop yields associated with incorporating wide C/N ratio residue that immobilizes N during decomposition. The benefits of sequestering soil organic C (SOC) to sustaining crop productivity by applying organic amendments and crop residue and including legumes in crop rotations have been well documented in the temperate regions [3] . Although large numbers of green manuring studies have been conducted with rice in Asia, few studies have looked at comparative effects of crop residue management with or without fertilizer N and legume green manure on crop yields and SOC [3-4] . 2. Characteristics of crop residues Crop residues are characterized by low digestibility, low metabolisable energy content, low crude protein content, low intake and low content of available mineral and vitamins. Crop residue is a vital natural resource for conserving and sustaining soil productivity [5-6] . Additionally, residue incorporation can improve physical and biological conditions of the soil and prevent soil degradation. In South and Southeast Asia, large amounts of crop residue are burned or removed after harvest which causes loss of organic matter and nutrients ultimately atmospheric pollution enhances. Different compositions of different components in crop residues are shown in table-1. In the developing world, most agricultural residues burnt as fuel are used in their natural state with some pre-treatment like drying, and cutting, and compacting in rare occasions. Crop residues are characterized by its seasonal availability and have characteristics that differ from other solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, char briquette. The main differences are the high content of volatile matter and lower density and burning time [7] . Table 1: Elemental analysis of crop residues Crop Residues Elemental analysis (%) Ash (%) Calorific Value(MJ/kg) C H N Na K P Mg Ca SiO2 O S Arhar Stalks 53.30 4.70 0.60 0.05 0.57 0.08 0.40 0.11 0.68 - - 1.98 - Bagasse 48.20 6.10 0.20 0.06 0.51 0.04 0.36 0.14 1.30 44.40 0.01 3.01 18.18 Cotton Sticks 51.00 4.90 1.00 0.09 0.61 0.08 0.43 0.12 1.33 43.87 0 3.10 17.4 Groundnut Shell 41.10 4.80 1.60 0.05 1.20 0.12 0.40 0.10 2.52 - - 4.43 - Maize cobs 46.20 4.90 0.60 0.03 0.54 0.07 0.28 0.09 2.00 - - 3.02 -