An incubation experiment was conducted during Kharif 2018 at RPCAU, Pusa to examine the mineralization of vermicompost in calcareous sandy loam soil at five different stages which match with the critical growth stages of rice crop and the experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized design (3 factors) replicated thrice. There were four levels of vermicompost along with three levels of chemical fertilizers used at field capacity (19.47%) in combinations and alone. Results indicated that content of available P2O5 and K2O in soil increased up to 65 DAI then decreased gradually. Application of increasing level of vermicompost and fertilizer alone or in combination resulted in corresponding increase in the available nutrient content of soil. During the study, it was observed that the treatment combination involving application of highest dose of vermicompost (3.75 t ha -1 ) along with full dose of fertilizer (RDF) was significantly superior.
Aim: To standardize the ratio of household waste and cow dung for quality vermicompost based on physical properties.
Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (Factorial).
Place and Duration of Study: Vermicompost Production Unit, RPCAU, Pusa during April 2018 to June 2018.
Methodology: Household waste was combined with cow dung in three different proportions (35:65, 50:50 and 65:35 ratio of household waste and cow dung, respectively) along with rock phosphate and suitable species of earthworms @ 2 kg per ton of material at suitable temperature and moisture (370C and 65% w/w respectively) under shade. Various physical parameters were analyzed at 30, 60 and 90 days after setting the windrows.
Results: Vermicompost prepared from household waste and cow dung in (50:50) ratio recorded lowest moisture content 16.0% and highest water holding capacity (20.7%) at the end of vermicomposting process (90 days) and 94% of material passed through 4.0 mm IS sieve.
Conclusion: Vermicompost prepared from household waste and cow dung in equal proportion (50:50) emerged out as better quality vermicompost based on the observed physical characteristics.
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