Effect of macrophyte vermicompost on growth and productivity of brinjal (Solanum melongena) under field conditions

Abstract

Background Macrophytes (fresh water plants) comprise a diverse group of the flora which play important roles in the maintenance of trophic food chains and biogeochemical processes, but are deleterious when present in excess. However, due to various anthropogenic activities, there is accumulation of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems resulting in massive macrophytic growth. These weeds do not possess any economic value and remain laid on lake shores after harvesting and become a source of odor problem, thus posing a challenge to the lake management authorities regarding their proper disposal. However, vermicomposting turns these macrophytes into materials useful in horticulture/agriculture for restoration of soil fertility, in addition to providing a solution to the nuisance of harvested weeds. Results The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different rates (2, 4 and 6 t/ha) of macrophyte-based vermicompost on germination, growth and yield of Solanum melongena under field conditions. The data revealed that different rates of vermicompost produced varied and significant effect (P \ 0.05) as compared to the control on germination, growth and yield parameters with maximum value recorded at 6 t/ha, followed by 4 t/ha and the least at 2 t/ha. The dose of 6 t/ha significantly (P \ 0.05) increased germination (22.56 ± 2.5 %), number of fruits per plant (3.55 ± 0.07) mean fruit weight (73 ± 5.0 g), yield per plant (1.48 ± 0.05 kg) and marketable fruits (28.66 ± 3.0 %) when compared with the control. The study suggests that macrophyte-based vermicompost as a potential source of plant nutrients for sustainable crop production. Conclusion Macrophyte-based vermicompost is an efficient quality yielder and economy enhancer for sustainable agriculture especially for the communities having vegetable gardens around lakes will benefit by using macrophyte vermicompost, a balanced and low-cost organic fertilizer.

Composition of different composts and vermicompost and effects of their application rates on growth parameters of pot grown tomato

“…But increasing the application rate of market compost above 400 g/pot reduced the above growth parameters (Figures 1 and 3). Similar to what is currently observed with market compost, higher proportion of some composts relative to soil (50% each) resulted in reduced growth and even in plant mortality, while the application of higher doses of vermicompost resulted in a significantly higher plant growth compared to the application of lower doses (Lazcano et al, 2009;Bahrampour and Ziveh, 2013;Najar and Khan, 2013;Ansari, 2008). The reduction in growth of tomato plant grown at the highest market compost rate of 800 g/pot could be related to salt stress and specifically to chloride and potassium toxicity ( Table 2).…”

“…The application of quality compost and vermicompost increased growth and yield of many horticultural crops including tomato (Bahrampour and Ziveh, 2013;Ansari, 2008;Najar and Khan, 2013). Number of leaves/plant, plant height, root length and root weight of pea grown in vermicompost media were significantly higher compared to those pea plants grown in garden soil (Khan and Ishaq, 2011).…”

Tuber Growth and Quality of Potato var. Kufri Bahar as Affected by FYM, Vermicompost and Neem Cake under Western Haryana Conditions, India

“…The nutrient composition of organic manures is presented in Table 2. Well decomposed farmyard manure, vermicompost and neem cake were incorporated into the top 15 cm of soil in the whole experimental bed (Arancon et al, 2003;Najar and Khan, 2013). Half dose of nitrogen and full dose phosphorus and potassium through urea, single supper phosphate and muriate of potash (MOP) were applied as basal dressing.…”

Vermicomposting of aquatic weeds: A quick review

“…Different studies have confirmed the positive effects of vermicompost on a wide variety of crops including cereal and legumes (39), vegetables (40,41), ornamental and flowering plants (42,43) and field crops (15,16,44,45,46,47,48).…”

“…In different pedoecosystems they enhanced mineralisation and nutrient availability in soil (12,6,13). They contribute to soil aeration, drainage and transformation of plant vitals (minerals and nutrients) to accessible forms, thus making the soil favorable for enhanced crop yield (14,15,16 Gupta et al (24) vermicomposed water hyacinth using E. fetida, reported its effective conversion when water hyacinth was mixed with 25% of cow dung (dry weight). Kostecka and Kaniuczak (25) vermicomposted Lemna minor (Duck weed) in small containers using E. fetida and recorded increase in earthworm number and biomass in containers with duckweed and manure dung than in containers with pure duckweed.…”