- - - Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-۹۲۰۸, Bangladesh
- - - Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-۹۲۰۸, Bangladesh
- - - Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-۹۲۰۸, Bangladesh

Purpose Improper management of poultry feather (PF) leads to various environmental problems. Biodegradation of PF using Streptomyces sp. was initiated to recover N because PF is rich in keratin protein which is difficult to break down. Methods PF was collected, washed, chopped, and was transferred to plastic pots (۲۰۰ ml each containing ۳۰g PF). Streptomyces sp. was cultured using selective media and transferred to plastic pot at different concentrations (۰, ۱, ۲, ۳, ۴, and ۵ ml broth) with three replications. PF was composted under this condition for ۷۵ days. The poultry feather compost (PFC) was used as fertilizer to grow okra in a separate experiment in pots. Different rates (۰, ۱۵۳, ۳۰۶, ۴۶۰, ۶۱۳, and ۷۶۶ kg ha-۱) of PFC equivalent to ۰, ۵۰, ۱۰۰, ۱۵۰, ۲۰۰, and ۲۵۰ kg urea ha-۱ based on N content was applied. Inorganic N was applied at the recommended dose (۱۵۰ kg urea ha-۱). Results Both total and available N content increased significantly in PFC with increasing concentration of Streptomyces sp. broth in composting media. Maximum N (۱۵.۳۱% total; ۱.۵۱% available) was found when PF was treated with ۴ and ۵ ml of Streptomyces sp. broth. Considering the plant’s agronomic attributes and fruit yield, the application of ۴۶۰ kg ha-۱ PFC was found most suitable for growing okra. Conclusion Composting of PF with Streptomyces sp. is a viable technique to recover N from PF. PFC can make N rich organic amendment and reduce the use of chemical fertilizer (urea) in the agricultural field.

Poultry feather, Streptomyces sp, Biodegradation, nitrogen, Soil Amendment