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Trichoderma spp.-Enriched Organic Waste Biofertilizer for Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica): A Sustainability Assessment

Ifran Yousuf Shihab, Adulsman Sukkaew, Pattama Pisapak, Wilaiwan Kaewtathip, Bukhoree Matukae, Jarunee Noolaong, Jutamas Kaewmanee, Udomsak Kaewsiri

Abstract


The intensive use of synthetic fertilizers in tropical smallholder farming can lead to soil degradation, nitrate leaching, and greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. This study developed a biofertilizer by blending six types of organic waste—water hyacinth, durian peel, eggshells, sugarcane molasses, cow dung, and poultry manure—with Trichoderma spp. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD; n = 3) was used to evaluate 13 formulations (A–M), which were produced by batch fermentation and stored for 10 days. The pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), moisture content, and temperature were monitored. Treatment M exhibited the highest nutrient concentrations, with N, P, and K contents of 1,063, 1,004, and 1,089 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. In a pot experiment using water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica), Treatment M significantly promoted plant growth, resulting in a 237.5% increase in dry weight compared with the control at an application rate of 500 g pot⁻¹. Both Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) demonstrated reduced environmental impacts and economic viability, supporting the potential of this biofertilizer as a circular-economy approach to sustainable smallholder farming.

Keywords



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DOI: 10.14416/j.asep.2026.09.012

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