“Vermicompost the story of organic gold” by Sujit Adhikary delves into the multifaceted benefits and applications of vermicompost in agriculture. Key points from the article include:
Vermicompost Overview: Vermicompost, the excreta of earthworms, is a rich organic fertilizer containing humus, NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), micronutrients, beneficial soil microbes, and growth hormones like auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins. It’s an effective growth promoter and protector for crops.
Vermiculture Process: Vermiculture involves converting various types of biodegradable wastes into nutrient-rich vermicompost through the digestion process of earthworms. It serves as a sustainable waste management technique.
Nutrient Composition: Vermicompost contains significantly higher nutrients than traditional potting soil mixes, offering five times the available nitrogen, seven times the available potash, and more calcium. It also enhances microbial populations in the soil.
Soil Improvement: Regular application of vermicompost improves soil properties like porosity, aggregate stability, and reduces soil bulk density. This leads to better air and water availability, encouraging seedling emergence and root growth.
Biodiversity of Earthworms: Approximately 3000 species of earthworms are known, with diverse ecological niches. Understanding their biology, life cycles, and population dynamics is crucial for effective organic waste management.
Multiplication of Worms: Earthworms can rapidly multiply in a controlled environment, using a mixture of cow dung and decaying leaves, and can be used for large-scale vermicomposting.
Sources and Applications: Vermicompost can be derived from various organic wastes, including paper mill waste. Its application has shown to significantly enhance plant growth and yield in various studies.
Beneficial Roles: Vermicompost improves soil structure, aids in water retention, and combats soil-borne plant diseases. It contains higher concentrations of nitrogen than aerobic compost and has shown to reduce the incidence of plant diseases and pests significantly.
Vermimeal Production: Vermimeal, derived from earthworm biomass, is an efficient animal feed protein source, rich in essential amino acids, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Crop-Specific Impacts:
Cereal Crops: In glasshouse studies, earthworms and vermicompost increased wheat crop growth by 39% and grain yield by 35%. Similar positive effects were observed on rice crops.
Fruit Crops: Vermicompost application doubled grape yield compared to chemical fertilizers and significantly improved the yield and quality of strawberries.
Vegetable Crops: Studies showed remarkable improvements in the growth and yield of vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, okra, potatoes, and garden peas when treated with vermicompost.
In summary, the review presents vermicompost as a sustainable, highly beneficial, and multifunctional organic amendment that significantly enhances soil quality, plant growth, and crop productivity, while also offering eco-friendly waste management solutions.
