Dhaincha fibre processing: Evaluating the dual impact on wastewater and soil ecology

The effect of the cultivation and utilization of dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) plant on soil and processing of dhaincha fibres on water were assessed. The negligible difference was observed in the parameters of the soil samples collected from field where whole plant was decomposed; field where only roots and leaves were decomposed. Therefore, it can be construed that the removal of stems for fibre extraction would not affect green manuring purpose. Similarly the composite wastewater generated from processing of fibres was tested and it was found that BOD, COD were beyond the permissible limit and the water can contribute to pollution load. Therefore treatment of wastewater would be needed. The primary treatment could reduce the pollution load to the permissible limits before discharge to inland.