Effect of Compost Tea Quality and Application Methods on Cotton Yield, Nutrient Use Efficiency, and Soil Health

The quality of compost tea plays a critical role in enhancing plant growth, soil health, nutrient use efficiency and overall crop performance. This study evaluates the effect of compost tea quality on cotton crop productivity during the Kharif season of 2024-25 at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. The experiment was designed in a randomized block design with nine treatments: T ₁ - Absolute Control, T ₂ – 100% RDF (150:75:75:25 NPKS), T ₃ − 75% RDF + @25%CTF (Compost Tea Foliar Spray), T ₄ − 75% RDF + @50% CTF, T ₅ − 75% RDF + @75% CTF, T ₆ − 75% RDF + @25%CTS (Compost Tea Soil Drenching), T ₇ − 50% RDF + @50% CTS, T ₈ − 25% RDF + @75% CTS and T ₉ − 50% RDF + @75% CTS. Compost tea was applied as foliar spray at 30, 75, and 120 DAS, and as soil drenching at 30 and 45 DAS. Compost tea was prepared with varying brewing methods (aerobic vs. anaerobic) and nutrient concentrations, focusing on the microbial richness and nutrient composition, including NPK and sulfur content. The study showed that the quality of compost tea significantly affected cotton growth, nutrient use efficiency, and yield. Higher-quality compost tea (aerobically brewed with balanced nutrient levels) resulted in improved plant growth, soil health, nutrient use efficiency, with the treatment T ₅ 75% RDF + @75% CTF showing optimal performance. The findings indicate that the higher biochemical activity and nutrient availability in high-quality compost tea can contribute to reducing the recommended doses of chemical fertilizers, while still supporting or even enhancing crop productivity. The study concludes that compost tea of higher quality can play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture, enhancing soil health and crop yields with reduced chemical inputs.