Effects of vermicompost and plant growth enhancers on the exo-morphological features of Capsicum annum (Linn.) Hepper

Abstract

Purpose Vermicomposting is an environmentally and economically friendly process to decompose organic waste. India's agro-industrial sector contributes huge resources of plant materials in the form of compost. In this study, 50% of vermicompost was compared with plant growth enhancers on the exo-morphological features of C. annum. A significant plant growth was recorded in plants treated with Vermicompost. The present study aims to promote soil health and its plant growth providing effects further substantiating the use of organic amendments instead of fertilizers. Vermicompost contains a combination of macro-and micro-nutrients and the uptake of the nutrients has a positive effect on plant nutrition, growth, photosynthesis and chlorophyll content of the leaves. Methods Pot studies were carried out in ten replicates and four soil amendment treatments: (1) Control, 100 ml distilled water (2) 50% Vermicompost of soil (3) 10 ml of Gibberellic Acid + 90 ml deionised water (GA + 100 µg/ml)-10 ml Indole Acetic Acid + 90 ml deionised water. Pots were planted with C. annum and the measurements of studied traits (length of shoot, length of internode, leaves number and number of branches were determined. Results The effect of plant growth enhancers like GA, IAA was compared with 50% vermicompost applications. Significant improvement in all the parameters, like length of shoot, length of inter node, number of leaves and number of branches was observed in plants at the end of 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks of treatment. Conclusion Plants treated with 50% vermicompost showed significant growth than Gibberellic acid (GA)-and Indole acetic acid (IAA)-treated plants. These results clearly indicate that vermicompost can be exploited as a potent biofertilizer.

Sustainable Valorisation of Biowaste for Soilless Cultivation of Salvia Officinalis in a Circular Bioeconomy

“…The soil amended with vermicompost provides the required nutrients, which are not available in chemically treated soil [26]. This increased nutrient uptake by plants may have contributed to the maximum growth in vermicompost treated plants when compared to other treatments [27].…”

Changes of Morphological and Biochemical Properties in Organically Grown Zucchini Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)

“…Vermicompost is used as organic fertilizer to improve soil aeration and enhance soil microorganisms, plant growth, and eventually crop yield. Vermicompost also encourages the microbial activity of soil, increases the accessibility of O 2 , conserves normal soil temperature, improves soil porosity and infiltration of water, increases nutrient content, and ultimately improve growth, yield, and quality of the plant (Arora et al, 2011;Rekha et al, 2018). It also provides plants with essential nutrients and aids in the suppression of plant diseases, and improves root growth and structure (Sarkar et al, 2003).…”

Effect of Vermicompost Application to Arabica Coffee Seedlings (Coffea arabica L.)

“…N in vermicompost was used optimally by plant so that photosynthesis process in leaves increased [14]. The photosynthesis result then was distributed to all parts of plant and it affected the length and width of leaves of plant [24].…”