Reviving soil health and plant growth in petroleum-impacted ecosystems through organic interventions

This present study analyzes the germination capacity of seeds in normal soil, engine-oil contaminated soil, Panchagavya, and livestock waste-treated soil. Here, clay loam soil was contaminated with 1.5 kg of used engine oil i.e. 5% of the soil volume and it was treated by using Panchagavya and livestock wastes. The traditional Panchagavya was made in accordance with the accepted standards. Microorganisms were recovered from Panchagavya, which has the properties of a pH that is slightly acidic (pH 6.2), enhanced Electrical Conductivity, and abundant macro, micronutrients and organic carbon. Oil-contaminated soil was treated with 50 ml of Panchagavya. There was no germination in oil-contaminated soil but normal soil shows 90% germination and the treated soil shows 60% germination. After one week of germination, seedlings were dried. The soil was then treated with chicken waste and the germination test showed growth of about 80%. Experimental results reveal that organic content of contaminated soil is roughly 105.6 g kg^− 1 and concentration of total nitrogen is found to be 72.6 kg/hec in soil treated with panchagavya and chicken waste. The available nitrogen content of the soil has been increased from 5.664 kg/hec to 8.712 kg/hec and Total phosphorous, available phosphorous content of the soil is found to be 14.9 kg/hec. 1.788 kg/hec. The potash content of the soil is found to be 511.3 kg/hec, 403.63 kg/hec and 388.6 kg/hec in panchagavya, chicken waste, fish waste and azolla treated soil respectively. The maximum rate of hydrocarbon degradation is 86–89% achieved for panchagavya and chicken waste.