Content uploaded by Dhurva Gauchan
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Dhurva Gauchan on Oct 16, 2018
Content may be subject to copyright.
International Journal of Research
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Volume 05 Issue 20
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/ P a g e | 1055
Vermicomposting in organic Agriculture: Influence
on the soil nutrients and plant growth
Shristi Piya, Inisa Shrestha, Dhurva P. Gauchan and Janardan
Lamichhane*
Department of Biotechnology, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal
*Corresponding Author: ljanardan@ku.edu.np; Phone: 977-011-415100; Fax: 977-011-
415011
Vermicomposting is a green technology that converts organic wastes into plant available nutrient rich organic
fertilizer. It has also found to reduce heavy metal concentration in contaminated feeding materials.
Vermicompost (VC), when used as fertilizer, not only bears positive impact on soil quality, plant growth and
yield but also enhances nutritional value of crops produced. Use of VC on soil improves its physiochemical
(aggregation, stability, pH, EC, bulk density, water holding capacity (WHC), organic matter (OM), micro- and
macro- nutrients.) and biological properties (microbial population, enzymes). It also increases soil structural
stability and reduces vulnerability of soil to calamities like erosion. Use of VC in plant growth enhances their
development in early as well as latter stages of plant growth but proper concentration of VC must be considered
for optimum plant growth and production.
Keywords: Vermicompost, soil quality, plant growth promotion, plant nutrients
1. Introduction
“Organic Agriculture” is an sustainable alternative to conventional system as it aids in environmental
protection [1], improved food quality and human health [2]-[4]. It restricts use of agro-chemicals and genetically
modified organisms; rather focuses on other agricultural practices like organic manure (compost, vermicompost,
green manures, animal manures), crop rotations and biological control of pests to maintain productivity.
Increasing awareness on consumers has uplifted the demand of organic products in global scenario. However,
the organic supply has not been competent to meet the demand. Therefore farmers are encouraged to move into
organic farming.
Nutrient management of cropland is an important factor for agricultural success. Thus organic fertilizers like
VC have been boon for organic agriculture and farmers. VC is an organic fertilizer produced by biological
processing of organic feed by earthworms. It converts organic wastes viz. municipal waste [2]–[4], agricultural
waste [5], [6], animal waste [7]–[9], industrial waste [13]-[15], sewage sludge [10]–[12], human faeces [19],
anaerobic digestate [13], [14] into nutrient rich VC by help of earthworms. It is rich in micro- and macro- plant
nutrients which are in plant available forms like nitrate (NO3-) [15], phosphate (PO43-), sulphate (SO42-),
Potassium (K+) etc. and aids in plant growth promotion that increases crop productivity [16], [17]. It also
contains large number of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) which produce phytohormones
(Indole 3acetic acid, Gibberellic acid, Kinetin) [18] and enzymes (Dehydrogenase, Urease) [26] that promote
plant growth. Microorganisms isolated from VC and having potential to inhibit pathogens have also been used
as bio-fertilizer or bio-pesticide. Also, its extracts like humic acid, vermin-tea are successfully being used in
raising crop productivity. However, to maintain good quality of VC, type of raw materials/feed [27]- [29];
stocking density [30], types of earthworm [31], [32] and other environmental factors [19] should be taken into
consideration.
Nowadays chemical fertilizers are being used in high quantities which degrade soil quality in long run [34].
Many researchers have reported positive changes in soil quality and soil productivity by application of VC
compared to chemical fertilizers [20]. Many have testified significantly greater crop production through VC
International Journal of Research
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Volume 05 Issue 20
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/ P a g e | 1056
amendment. Kashem et al. (2015) reported higher tomato yield compared to inorganic fertilizers suggesting the
significance of VC over inorganic fertilizers [21]. Crops grown with VC amended soils are also found to have
additive nutrient content compared to non-amended. According to Gutiérrez et al. (2007) tomatoes produced in
VC amended substrate were more suitable for juice
Table 1 Quality of vermicompost prepared from different substrates
SN
Substrate used
Earthworm
used
C:N
pH
Moisture
(%)
EC (ds/m)
mg/g
Reference
TOC
N
P
K
1
Domestic waste
P.sansibaricus
P. excavatus
9.89±0.05
10.40±0.04
7.43±0.02
7.59±0.03
-
-
-
-
200.2±0.19
201.6±0.11
20.36±0.10
19.26±0.06
6.35±0.06
6.13±0.06
9.60±0.67
9.55±0.66
[3]
2
Cattle waste
E. foetida
40.66±39b
6.80±0.01a
-
-
521.5±0.24b
12.8±0.01a
3.4 ± 0.01b
3.0 ± 0.01b
[9]
Goat waste
43.34±39
6.72±0.01b
-
-
530.0±0.25a
12.2±0.01b
6.5 ± 0.02a
3.4 ± 0.02a
3
Human faeces
E. foetida
6.5±0.5
8.0±0.3
43±5
0.294
175±10
28.0±0.2
23.5 ± 2.5
65.0 ± 7.5
[22]
4
Food industry
sludge & cow
dung; 1:1
E. foetida
-
6.0±0.02
-
1.7±0.26
310±3.5
20
8.04 ± 0.15
6.0 ± 0.46
[23]
5
Cow dung
E. foetida
26.4
-
-
-
337
12.4
10.1
4.8
[24]
6
Household solid
waste
18.1
6.88
51.8
1.9
255
14.1
-
-
[25]
Horse and rabbit
manure
12.4
6.82
41.2
0.4
188
15.1
-
-
Chicken manure
31.9
8.1
11.3
6.8
428
13.4
-
-
7
Woodchips
(Quercus rubra)
and lake mud
E. foetida
12.04
7.48
3.19
15.0.50
12.5
0.432
11.034
[26]
8
Cowdung
Azolla
Eichorrnia
Eudrilus
eugeniae
20:23
26:32
27:26
6.6
6.9
6.8
-
-
-
1.68
2.25
2.84
124
285
224
6.2
11.2
9.6
5
6.5
3.2
5.4
6.2
7.4
[27]
C:N = Carbon:Nitrogen, EC= Electrical Conductivity, TOC= Total organic carbon, N= Nitrogen, P=
Phosphorous, K= Potassiumproduction due to higher soluble and insoluble solids content compared to control
[28].Its application has also found to increase minerals like Vitamin C and sugar in tomatoes [29].
Vermicomposting has emerged as a sustainable technology for management of organic waste, production of
organic fertilizer and reduction in use of chemical fertilizers. It is at times also used incorporated with chemical
fertilizers to maintain soil quality. The aim of this review paper is to discuss on nutrient quality of VC and its
efficacy on plant growth promotion and soil quality enhancement.
2. Physiochemical properties of VC
Vermicomposting enhances nutrient content of feeding materials making it suitable for using in agricultural
lands [23]. However, some organic materials like industrial waste and sewage, must be spiked with other
bulking agents like cowdung to make suitable habitat for earthworms [19], [39]. Plant available nutrient are
abundant in VC compared to normal compost. Atiyeh et al. 2000, reported that vermicomposting significantly
decreased concentration of ammonium-nitrogen nitrogen, which cannot be taken by plants directly, thus
increasing the quantity of nitrate-nitrogen by 28 folds. In normal composting nitrate-nitrogen increased only by
3 folds [15]. Nutrient quality of VC is highly influenced by feeding material. It has been reported that VC
prepared from cattle and goat manure varied on nutrient quantity. Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N) and pH were lower
and Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) concentrations were higher in goat manure VC than the cattle manure.
This may be due to variability in nutrient uptake by earthworms [9]. Similarly, VC quality is also governed by
earthworm species used. Perionyx excavates is more suitable and efficient than Perionyx sansibaricus for VC
International Journal of Research
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Volume 05 Issue 20
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/ P a g e | 1057
preparation of domestic waste [3]. However, several studies have cited Eisenia fetida as most preferred species
for vermicomposting [30]. Effects of vermicomposting on organic wastes are summarized in Table 1.
3. Heavy metals (HM) and vermicomposting
Vermiconversion of HM contaminated feeding materials reduces concentration of HM in wormcast. This is
accredited to accumulation of HMs in worm tissues. However, these residual contaminants may possess harmful
impact on agriculture land [31]–[33]. According to Abu et al. (2015) HM concentration through
vermicomposting varies according to the feed used [34]. Vermiconversion of four treatments Cowdung (CD):
Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC), CD:2SMC, Goat manure (GM):SMC and GM:2SMC spiked with 2 litres of
landfill leachate each for 75 days resulted in major flush out of HMs. Chromium (Cr) was removed at highest
level ranging from 95-99.81%. Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) were reduced by 90% and 80% in all treatments
respectively. Meanwhile, Copper (Cu) concentration increased in CD: SMC II and GM:SMC I. Zinc (Zn) also
showed an increase but only in GM:SMC I (15.01%). Percentage increase in Cu and Zn was clarified by
Lukkari et al. (2006), due to binding of HMs to organic matter. Moreover, the HMs concentration was found
within the international compost limits given by different organizations. It has also been reported that
vermicomposting reduces HM concentration in higher amount than normal composting and thus can be
approached as an environmental friendly method to reduce the toxicity issue [35]. However, further justification
should be made prior to claiming it.
4. Influence of VC on physiochemical properties of soil
VC imparts positive impact on physiochemical properties of soil. It helps to improve soil aggregation,
stability, pH, EC, bulk density, water holding capacity (WHC), organic matter (OM), micro- and macro-
nutrients. VC increases soil structural stability thus reducing the vulnerability of soil to calamities like erosion.
This is reported by Tejada et al. (2009) who applied beet vinasse, VC and compost (prepared by composting
beet vinasse and VC) in soil vulnerable to erosion. BV increased instability index by 7.9% however V and BVV
decreased it by 11.2% and 13.2%, respectively compared to control soil. Also, VC amendment reduces large
aggregate formation in soil thus increasing aggregate stability in all aggregate size fractions. This can be
explained by that organic matter application may have caused changes in the exchange complex that resulted in
breakdown of larger fractions [36]. Correspondingly, (Table 2) Doan et al. (2015) reported reduction on
leaching and runoff at highest quantity by vermicompost compared to control [37].
VC application reduced bulk density of soil in comparison to farm yard manure and chemical fertilizer due to
increasing concentration of organic matter which in turn decreases bulk density [48]. Conversely, soil pH is
found to increase due to application of VC. But, some researches assure that addition of VC to soil did not
change the pH [28]. Contradictorily, VC has also been found to decrease pH of soil. These discrepancies are
attributed to nutrient content of
International Journal of Research
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Volume 05 Issue 20
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/ P a g e | 1058
Table 2 Changes on physico-chemical parameters of soil due to application of vermicompost and other fertilizers
SN
Feedstock used
Treatment
pH
EC
OC (%)
TN (%)
P (ppm)
K (ppm)
Reference
1
No fertilizer, C
0 t/ha
7.17
0.66
-
0.095
-
-
[25]
Household solid waste (HSW)
HSW 10 t/ha
7.07
0.98
-
0.011
-
-
Horse and rabbit manure
(HRM)
HRM 10 t/ha
7.21
0.94
-
0.01
-
-
chicken manure (CM)
CM 10 t/ha
7.17
0.076
-
0.011
-
-
Household solid waste (HSW)
HSW 20 t/ha
7.3
0.9
-
0.012
-
-
horse and rabbit manure
(HRM)
HRM 20 t/ha
7.09
0.66
-
0.011
-
-
chicken manure (CM)
CM 20 t/ha
7.19
0.83
-
0.011
-
-
2
No fertilizer, To
0 t/ha
5.3 (0.1)
-
0.31(0.07)
0.15(0.01)
3.8 (0.02)
76.8(1.4)
[37]
urea, %N=46.3%, 40 g m−2),
potash, %K=60%, 16 gm−2)
and phosphate, %P=16%, 50
gm−2)
Minerals (M) only
4.8 (0.1)
-
1.15 (0.25)
0.20 (0.01)
114.9 (1.04)
249.7 (4.5)
M + Biochar (B) (7t/ha)
5.5 (0.1)
-
1.29 (0.22)
0.21 (0.01)
163.0 (1.99)
216.5 (5.20
Buffalo manure, BM
(20t/ha)
6.4 (0.1)
-
2.61 (0.17)
0.31 (0.02)
181.1 (1.95)
285.7 (5.2)
BM
Compost (2ot/ha)
6.4 (0.20
-
3.17 (0.22)
0.30 (0.04)
199.4 (1.54)
229.8 (3.1)
BM
Vermicompost (V) only
(20t/ha)
6.5 (0.2)
-
3.02 (0.28)
0.29 (0.04)
202.0 (1.21)
251.9(3.4)
V (20t/ha) +B (7t/ha)
6.5 (0.2)
-
3.10 (0.25)
0.35 (0.03)
220.7 (2.31)
303.3 (3.5)
EC= Electrical Conductivity, OC= Organic carbon, TN= Total Nitrogen, P= Phosphorous, K= Potassium
International Journal of Research
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Volume 05 Issue 20
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/ P a g e | 1059
soil and VC, base content aiding to buffering capacity of soil and capacity to absorb free protons (H+) in the soil
[49], [50]. Electrical conductivity increases with VC application [28]. It helps to inhibit toxicity due to saline
water and rather enhances plant growth [38]. Soil WHC also increases with amendment of VC. This is because
VC has high WHC and increases porosity when mixed with soil making pore spaces available for storing water
[50]. Also this is related to a higher proportion of hydrophilic/hydrophobic groups of the humic substances in
VC compared to that in control soil [39].
It is justified that amendment of VC and its extract on soil increases organic carbon percentage compared to
chemical fertilizer which rather reduces it. This is because chemical fertilizer do not contain carbon whereas
organic content of VC is slowly released into soil making it plant available [20], [40].Application of organic as
well as inorganic fertilizes upsurge nutrient content in soil. Nevertheless, VC has found to raise available N, P
and Kin soil at higher levels compared to them [41] and further increases with increasing rate of application
[42]. Similarly, sheep manure VC is also found to increase soil nutrients and can be raised further by increasing
rate of application. When soil was treated with 5, 10 and 15 t/ha of VC, the soil quality as in pH, EC, bulk
density, porosity, N, P, K was best at highest rate of application [42]. On the other hand, Sangwan et al. (2010)
reported loss of mineral elements in soil after harvest of marigold which has been accounted due to leaching or
being taken up by the plants. Nevertheless, concentration of this loss in VC amended soil was found lesser than
the control; 55% in control, 7.3% in cowdung VC and 7.2% in filter cake VC [43]. VC amendment also
increases micronutrients like Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) and Manganese (Mn) in soil butat suitable
concentration [43]–[45].
VC also has been reported to remediate metal contaminated soil. It effects concentration of HM in metal
contaminated soils. Angelova et al. (2013) reported decrease in available Zn, Cd, Cu, Mn and Pb from the soil
due to VC application except Fe, while application of compost further increased Zn, Cd, Fe and Mn. This
increase in HM through compost was subjected to decrease in pH which make metals ions more soluble whereas
reduction of HM are attributed to conversion of OM to stable form by binding with the HMs [46]. Thus addition
of VC in metal contaminated soil may help in soil remediation and improving its quality.
5. Influence of VC on biological properties of soil
Microbial population and its activities in soil are enhanced by addition of VC. On the contrary, they are
reduced in chemical amended soils [44]. Tejada et al. (2009) found that VC increased soil microbial biomass
and respiration by 59.1% and 69% respectively compared to control soil. Dehydrogenase, Urease, β-
glucosidase, phosphatase and aryl sulfatase activities in soil was also significantly enthused with VC application
compared to control. These enzyme activities were more enhanced with increasing rate of VC application
[47].Similarly, these enzymes responsible for carbon and phosphorous cycles were found to increase with VC
application during celery production in alkaline soil [48].
6. Effect of VC on plant growth
VC is also found to have positive effect on early as well as later stages of plant life cycle. Arancon et al.
(2008) reported that seedling emergence of petunias seeds grown in mixture of VC (produced from cattle
manure, food waste and paper waste) and MM360, increased compared to control (100% MM360). However,
different rate of VC application exhibited different impact. It also significantly increased dry shoot/root weight
but at lower rates than higher ones [49].Similar results are demonstrated by Manh et al (2014) who reported that
application of VC with rice hulls ash and coconut husk gave higher germination, plant height, leaf biomass and
leaf area [50]. It is also stated that VC enriched with beneficial organisms like Trichoderma further enhances
germination and seedling quality [51]. Conversely, VC is found to inhibit germination and plant growth, these
were recorded lowest at highest rate of application and highest in control sphagnum peat [52].Similarly,
rosemary grown in control peat was better than that in VC amended substrates[53].
VC is found to have positive influence on crop productivity and quality in wide range of crops such as
tomato [21], [28], [29], [45], [54]–[56], eggplant [27], [57], okra [20], lettuce [58], cabbage [35], coriander [59],
cucumber [60], strawberry [61] and pistachio [62]. It also enhances growth of ornamental plants like marigold
[43]. It greatly enhances crop productivity than inorganic fertilizers. According to Ansari (2010), leaf number,
stem circumference and marketable yield was found maximum in chemical amended soil rather than VC
amended soil. But, biochemical (protein, fats) properties of crops harvested were enhanced in VC or VC extracts
International Journal of Research
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Volume 05 Issue 20
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/ P a g e | 1060
amended soil. Similarly, It is also reported that higher rate of application increases crop yield. When VC was
applied at 3 rates, 4 t/ha, 5t/ha and 6t/ha highest production was observed at 6t/ha application rate. VC when
applied along with chemical fertilizers produces high quality vegetable like Solanum melongena. VC produced
from Cowdung, Azolla and Eichorrnia substituted with 50% of NPK increase plant height, number of leaves per
plant, number of fruits per plant, length and width of fruit. It also shortened number of days for flowering.
Among all Azolla VC greatly enhanced growth and yield parameters of S. melongena [27].
Amount of VC required differs according to type of crops, leafy vegetable require minor VC quantity than
for tuber crops [40]. Similarly, it has been reported that quality and quantity of production largely depend on
rate of VC applied [63]. In an experiment where VC and soil was added in ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4;
maximum yield was recorded in 1:1 while , maximum crop nutrient like Vitamin C, total sugar, soluble solids,
insoluble solids and nitrites were witnessed in higher ratios [29]. However, some has reported that application
of VC at lowest rates can have similar yield to higher application rates thus can be cost effective [54], [64].
7. Conclusion
The literatures cited verify that VC can be used as an organic fertilizer alternative to in organics as it
improves soil quality as well as plant growth and production. It can also be used for bioremediation of HV
contaminated soil. It is thus found to improve soil physio-chemical and biological properties. However its
efficacy on soil quality and PGP greatly depends on raw materials used for its production and have suggested
spiking of earthworm friendly wastes to few probable toxic wastes like sewage during vermiconversion. It is
found that increasing soil quality due to VC application is reflected in plant growth and production. The review
also suggests that VC should be used at appropriate rate depending on type of crops grown and its nutrient
requirement for cost effectiveness. Overall, VC is boon to organic farming.
10. References
[1] D. Pimentel, “Environmental and economic costs of the application of pesticides primarily in the united states ?,” pp.
229–252, 2005.
[2] S. Suthar, “Vermicomposting of vegetable-market solid waste using Eisenia fetida : Impact of bulking material on
earthworm growth and decomposition rate,” Ecological Engineering journal, vol. 35, pp. 914–920, 2009.
[3] S. Suthar and S. Singh, “Vermicomposting of domestic waste by using two epigeic earthworms ( Perionyx excavatus and
Perionyx sansibaricus ),” Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 99–106, 2008.
[4] R. Pratap, P. Singh, A. S. F. Araujo, M. H. Ibrahim, and O. Sulaiman, “Resources , Conservation and Recycling
Management of urban solid waste : Vermicomposting a sustainable option,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 55,
pp. 719–729, 2011.
[5] Y. Yi-wei et al., “Vermicomposting potential and plant nutrient contents in rice straw vermicast of Perionyx excavatus
and Eudrilus eugeniae,” Scientific Research and Essays, vol. 7, no. 42, pp. 3639–3645, 2012.
[6] S. Suthar, “Nutrient changes and biodynamics of epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus ( Perrier ) during recycling of
some agriculture wastes,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 98, pp. 1608–1614, 2007.
[7] A. Yadav, R. Gupta, and V. K. Garg, “Organic manure production from cow dung and biogas plant slurry by
vermicomposting under field conditions,” International Journal Of Recycling of Organic Waste, vol. 2, no. 21, p. 1, 2013.
[8] M. Dhimal, I. Gautam, and R. Tuladhar, “Effectiveness of vermicomposting in management of organic wastes using
Eisenia foetida and Perionyx favatus in central zoo Jawalakhel, Nepal,” J. Nat. Hist. Mus., vol. 27, pp. 92–106, 2013.
[9] T. C. Loh, Y. C. Lee, J. B. Liang, and D. Tan, “Vermicomposting of cattle and goat manures by Eisenia foetida and their
growth and reproduction performance,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 96, pp. 111–114, 2005.
[10] R. Gupta and V. K. Garg, “Stabilization of primary sewage sludge during vermicomposting,” Journal of Hazardous
Materials, vol. 153, pp. 1023–1030, 2008.
[11] P. M. Ndegwa and S. A. Thompson, “Integrating composting and vermicomposting in the treatment and bioconversion
of biosolids,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 76, pp. 107–112, 2001.
International Journal of Research
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Volume 05 Issue 20
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/ P a g e | 1061
[12] P. Taylor et al., “Vermicomposting of Sewage Sludge : Earthworm Population and Agronomic Advantages
Vermicomposting of Sewage Sludge : Earthworm Population and Agronomic Advantages,” Compost Science & Utilization,
vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 37–41, 2013.
[13] S. Suthar, “Potential of domestic biogas digester slurry in vermitechnology,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 101, no. 14,
pp. 5419–5425, 2010.
[14] A. Rajpal and R. Bhargava, “Vermistabilization and nutrient enhancement of anaerobic digestate through earthworm
species Perionyx excavatus and Perionyx sansibaricus,” pp. 219–226, 2014.
[15] R. M. Atiyeh, J. Domínguez, S. Subler, and C. A. Edwards, “Changes in biochemical properties of cow manure during
processing by earthworms (Eisenia andrei, Bouche) and the effects in seedling growth," Pedobiologia , vol 44(6), pp. 709–
724, 2000.
[16] D. Singh and S. Suthar, “Vermicomposting of herbal pharmaceutical industry waste : Earthworm growth , plant-
available nutrient and microbial quality of end materials,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 112, pp. 179–185, 2012.
[17] C. S. Ahirwar and A. Hussain, “Effect of Vermicompost on Growth , Yield and Quality of Vegetable Crops,”
International Journal of Applied And Pure Science and Agriculture, pp. 49–56, 2015.
[18] B. Ravindran, J. W. C. Wong, A. Selvam, and G. Sekaran, “Influence of microbial diversity and plant growth hormones
in compost and vermicompost from fermented tannery waste,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 217, pp. 200–204, 2016.
[19] G. Scholar, G. I. Factor, I. Copernicus, and O. A. Journals, “A Rapid Publishing Journal Available online at : SOIL
PROPERTIES AND EARTHWORM POPULATION DYNAMICS INFLUNCED BY ORGANIC MANURE IN WINTER
AND SPRING SEASONS AT RAMPUR ,” vol. 2, pp. 193–198, 2014.
[20] A. A. Ansari and K. Sukhraj, “Effect of vermiwash and vermicompost on soil parameters and productivity of okra (
Abelmoschus esculentus ) in Guyana,” African Journal of Agricultural Research Vol., vol. 5, no. 14, pp. 1794–1798, 2010.
[21] A. Kashem, A. Sarker, I. Hossain, and S. Islam, “Comparison of the Effect of Vermicompost and Inorganic Fertilizers
on Vegetative Growth and Fruit Production of Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L .),” Scientific Research Publishing, vol. 5,
pp. 53–58, 2015.
[22] K. D. Yadav, V. Tare, and M. M. Ahammed, “Vermicomposting of source-separated human faeces for nutrient
recycling,” Waste Management, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 50–56, 2010.
[23] A. Yadav and V. K. Garg, “Feasibility of nutrient recovery from industrial sludge by vermicomposting technology,”
Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 168, pp. 262–268, 2009.
[24] P. Kaushik and V. K. Garg, “Vermicomposting of mixed solid textile mill sludge and cow dung with the epigeic
earthworm Eisenia foetida,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 90, pp. 311–316, 2003.
[25] L. Ferreras, E. Gomez, and S. Toresani, “Effect of organic amendments on some physical , chemical and biological
properties in a horticultural soil,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 97, pp. 635–640, 2006.
[26] W. M. Nada, L. Van Rensburg, and S. Claassens, “Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis Effect of
Vermicompost on Soil and Plant Properties of Coal Spoil in the Lusatian Region ( Eastern Germany ),” Communications in
Soil Science and Plant Analysis, vol. 42, no. 16, pp. 1945–1957, 2011.
[27] A. Gandhi and U. S. Sundari, “Effect of Vermicompost Prepared from Aquatic Weeds on Growth and Yield of Eggplant
( Solanum melongena L .),” Biofertilizers and Biopesticides, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 5–8, 2012.
[28] J. Santiago-borraz and F. A. Gutie, “Vermicompost as a soil supplement to improve growth , yield and fruit quality of
tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum ),” vol. 98, pp. 2781–2786, 2007.
[29] M. A. Abduli, L. Amiri, E. Madadian, S. Gitipour, and S. Sedighian, “Efficiency of vermicompost on quantitative and
qualitative growth of tomato plants,” International Journal of Environmental Research, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 467–472, 2013.
[30] G. Tripathi and P. Bhardwaj, “Comparative studies on biomass production , life cycles and composting efficiency of
Eisenia fetida ( Savigny ) and Lampito mauritii ( Kinberg ),” Bioresource Technology, vol. 92, pp. 275–283, 2004.
[31] Q. Anindita, S. Biswas, J. Bora, S. S. Bhattacharya, and M. Kumar, “Effect of vermicomposting on copper and zinc
International Journal of Research
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Volume 05 Issue 20
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/ P a g e | 1062
removal in activated sludge with special emphasis on temporal variation,” Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology, 2015.
[32] B. Sahariah, L. Goswami, K. Kim, P. Bhattacharyya, and S. Sundar, “Metal remediation and biodegradation potential of
earthworm species on municipal solid waste : A parallel analysis between Metaphire posthuma and Eisenia fetida,”
Bioresource Technology, vol. 180, pp. 230–236, 2015.
[33] X. He, Y. Zhang, M. Shen, G. Zeng, M. Zhou, and M. Li, “Effect of vermicomposting on concentration and speciation
of heavy metals in sewage sludge with additive materials,” Bioresource Technology, vol. 218, pp. 867–873, 2016.
[34] A. Abu, C. May, N. Zalina, and N. Abdullah, “Effect on heavy metals concentration from vermiconversion of agro-
waste mixed with landfill leachate,” WASTE MANAGEMENT, pp. 1–5, 2015.
[35] L. Goswami et al., “Application of drum compost and vermicompost to improve soil health , growth , and yield
parameters for tomato and cabbage plants,” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 200, pp. 243–252, 2017.
[36] S. Sari and I. Angin, “EFFECTS OF VERMICOMPOST APPLICATION ON SOIL AGGREGATION AND
CERTAIN PHYSICAL PROPERTIES,” land degradation & development, vol. 27, pp. 983–995, 2016.
[37] T. T. Doan, T. Henry-des-tureaux, C. Rumpel, J. Janeau, and P. Jouquet, “Impact of compost , vermicompost and
biochar on soil fertility , maize yield and soil erosion in Northern Vietnam : A three year mesocosm experiment,” Science of
the Total Environment, vol. 514, pp. 147–154, 2015.
[38] R. Ahmad, M. Azeem, N. Ahmed, R. Ahmad, and E. T. Al, “Productivity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) by amendment
of vermicompost and biogas slurry in saline soils,” Pak. J. Bot., vol. 41, no. 6, pp. 3107–3116, 2009.
[39] C. P. Jordão, M. De Godoi Pereira, R. Einloft, M. B. Santana, C. R. Bellato, and J. W. V. De Mello, “Removal of Cu,
Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cd from electroplating wastes and synthetic solutions by vermicompost of cattle manure,” Journal of
Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, vol. 37, no. 5, pp.
875–892, 2002.
[40] A. A. Ansari, “Effect of Vermicompost on the Productivity of Potato ( Solanum tuberosum ), Spinach ( Spinacia
oleracea ) and Turnip ( Brassica campestris ),” World Journal of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 333–336, 2008.
[41] S. Karmakar, K. Brahmachari, and A. Gangopadhyay, “Studies on agricultural waste management through preparation
and utilization of organic manures for maintaining soil quality,” African Journal of agriculture research, vol. 8, no. 48, pp.
6351–6358, 2013.
[42] R. Azarmi, M. T. Giglou, and R. D. Taleshmikail, “Influence of vermicompost on soil chemical and physical properties
in tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum ) field,” African Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 7, no. 14, pp. 2397–2401, 2008.
[43] P. Sangwan and V. K. G. C. P. Kaushik, “Growth and yield response of marigold to potting media containing
vermicompost produced from different wastes,” Environmentalist, vol. 30, pp. 123–130, 2010.
[44] S. Manivannan, M. Balamurugan, K. Parthasarathi, G. Gunasekaran, and L. . Ranganathan, “Effect of vermicompost on
soil fertility and crop productivity - Beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ),” Journal of Environmental Biology, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 275–
281, 2009.
[45] M. L. Prabha, “Potential Of Vermicompost Produced From Banana Waste ( Musa paradisiaca ) On The Growth
Parameters Of Solanum lycopersicum .,” vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 2141–2153, 2013.
[46] V. R. Angelova, V. I. Akova, N. S. Artinova, and K. I. Ivanov, “The Effect of Organic Amendments on Soil Chemical
Characteristics,” Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, vol. 19, no. 5, pp. 958–971, 2013.
[47] M. Tejada, A. M. García-martínez, and J. Parrado, “Effects of a vermicompost composted with beet vinasse on soil
properties , soil losses and soil restoration,” Catena, vol. 77, no. 3, pp. 238–247, 2009.
[48] I. Uz, S. Sonmez, I. E. Tavali, S. Citak, D. S. Uras, and S. Citak, “Effect of Vermicompost on Chemical and Biological
Properties of an Alkaline Soil with High Lime Content during Celery ( Apium graveolens L . var . dulce Mill .) Production,”
Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 280–290, 2016.
[49] N. Q. Arancon, C. A. Edwards, A. Babenko, J. Cannon, P. Galvis, and J. D. Metzger, “Influences of vermicomposts ,
produced by earthworms and microorganisms from cattle manure , food waste and paper waste , on the germination , growth
and flowering of petunias in the greenhouse,” Applied Soil Ecology, vol. 39, pp. 91–99, 2008.
International Journal of Research
Available at https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Volume 05 Issue 20
September 2018
Available online: https://pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/ P a g e | 1063
[50] H. Manh and C. H. Wang, “Vermicompost as an Important Component in Substrate : Effects on Seedling Quality and
Growth of Muskmelon ( Cucumis melo L .),” in APCBEE Procedia, 2014, vol. 8, pp. 32–40.
[51] M. K. Alam, M. A. Rahim, M. H. Rahman3, and M. Jahi ruddin, “Effects of organic fertilizers on the seed germination
and seedling vigour of tomato,” in Proceedings of the 4th ISOFAR Scientific Conference, 2014, pp. 49–52.
[52] G. Ievinsh, “Vermicompost treatment differentially affects seed germination , seedling growth and physiological status
of vegetable crop species,” Plant Growth Regul, vol. 65, pp. 169–181, 2011.
[53] D. Mendoza-hernández, F. Fornes, and R. M. Belda, “Scientia Horticulturae Compost and vermicompost of
horticultural waste as substrates for cutting rooting and growth of rosemary,” Scientia Horticulturae, vol. 178, pp. 192–202,
2014.
[54] R. Joshi and A. P. Vig, “Effect of Vermicompost on Growth , Yield and Quality of Tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum
L ),” African Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences, vol. 2, no. 3–4, pp. 117–123, 2010.
[55] C. Lazcano, J. Arnold, A. Tato, J. G. Zaller, and J. Dominguez, “Compost and vermicompost as nursery pot
components: effects on tomato plant growth and morphology,” Spanish Journal of agricultural research, vol. 7, no. 4, pp.
944–951, 2009.
[56] M. A. Zucco, S. A. Walters, S. C. Brian, and J. G. Masabni, “Effect of soil type and vermicompost applications on
tomato growth,” International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture, vol. 4, pp. 135–141, 2015.
[57] H. Aktas, S. Daler, O. Ozen, K. Gencer, D. Bay, and I. Erdal, “The effect of some growing substrate media on yield and
fruit quality of eggplant (Solanum melongene L.) grown and irrigated,” no. 1, pp. 5–12, 2013.
[58] Y. A. S. Oledad and C. O. Ayupa, “Variations in Bioactive Substance Contents and Crop Yields of Lettuce ( Lactuca
sativa L . ) Cultivated in Soils with Different Fertilization Treatments,” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol. 57,
pp. 10122–10129, 2009.
[59] T. Ravimycin, “Effects of Vermicompost ( VC ) and Farmyard Manure ( FYM ) on the germination percentage growth
biochemical and nutrient content of Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L .),” International Journal of Advanced Research in
Biological Sciences, vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 91–98, 2016.
[60] G. Sallaku, I. Babaj, S. Kaciu, and A. Balliu, “The influence of vermicompost on plant growth characteristics of
cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L .) seedlings under saline conditions,” Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, vol. 7, pp.
869–872, 2009.
[61] R. Singh, R. R. Sharma, S. Kumar, R. K. Gupta, and R. T. Patil, “Vermicompost substitution influences growth,
physiological disorders, fruit yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.),” Bioresource Technology, vol. 99,
no. 17, pp. 8507–8511, 2008.
[62] M. Nadi, A. Golchin, V. Mozafari, T. Saeidi, and E. Sedaghati, “The Effects of Different Vermicomposts on the Growth
and Chemical Composition of the Pistachio Seedlings,” Journal of research in agricultural science, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 59–69,
2011.
[63] V. A. Dada and S. A. Adejumo, “Growth and Yield of Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus Moench ) as Influenced by
Compost Application under Different Light Intensities,” Notulae Scientia Biologicae, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 217–226, 2015.
[64] R. Joshi, A. P. Vig, and J. Singh, “Vermicompost as soil supplement to enhance growth , yield and quality of Triticum
aestivum L .: a field study,” International Journal Of Recycling of Organic Waste, vol. 2, no. 16, 2013.
