Sustainable management of diseases and pests in crops by vermicompost and vermicompost tea. A review

Abstract

The intensive use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides in the agricultural field has globally destroyed soil fertility, killed beneficial microorganisms, and also decreased natural resistance in crops, thereby making them more vulnerable to diseases besides affecting human health and the environment. To overcome these problems, it is very important to shift our attention towards eco-friendly alternatives like vermicompost and vermicompost tea which not only can increase crop growth and yield, suppress diseases and pests sustainably but can also protect human health and the environment. Vermicompost with its rich nutrient content, plant growth promoters like auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, and beneficial microbes not only improves the growth and yield of crops but also increases the diversity and activity of antagonistic microbes and nematodes, which helps to suppress pests and diseases caused by soil-borne phytopathogens. Vermicompost tea also has a tremendous potential to protect plants from diseases and its application to plants can coat leaf surfaces and reduce available sites for pathogen infection or increases microbial diversity that can kill harmful pathogens. Here, we review recent scientific achievements towards the management of crop diseases and pests by these organic amendments and the major points are the following: (1) production of vermicompost and vermicompost tea, (2) management of crop pests and diseases by vermicompost and vermicompost tea, and(3) the possible mechanisms and some important factors involved in the suppression of diseases and pests. Finally, we conclude that by using these eco-friendly organic amendments as a replacement to inorganic pesticides and fungicides, diseases and pests can be managed successfully without affecting human health and the environment and chemical-free food can be provided to humankind in the future.

Vermicomposting—Facts, Benefits and Knowledge Gaps

“…The application of chemicals such as pesticides gives positive results in regard to the control of pests, but they also cause several negative side effects such as environmental pollution, disruption of the soil's natural fertility and the destruction of beneficial organisms [80,81]. To overcome problems of harmful organisms and diseases, in recent years, vermicompost has been mentioned as a key alternative in the fight against plant diseases, pests and pathogens [82]. With the various indirect beneficial effects of vermicompost on plants, the suppression of plant diseases and pests is one of the most significant.…”

“…Vermicomposting is a process that has been intensively studied for years and has become significant and frequent topic. Numerous papers are describing its mechanism and performance, but each highlights different aspects [16,23,82,100]. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the topic of vermicomposting and each of them has contributed to understanding the role of vermicompost, there are still unknowns that need to be additionally explored to maximize the potential of vermicompost and to recoup the process itself according to specific needs (Figure 2).…”

Agronomic Efficiency of Animal-Derived Organic Fertilizers and Their Effects on Biology and Fertility of Soil: A Review

“…Among the considered amendment types, composted fertilizers and vermicompost manures are generally applied to manage plant diseases and pests attacks without affecting the environment and human health, although their effectiveness against phytopathogens is attributed to microbial populations and community interactions present within these recycled products [196]. Yatoo et al [197] claimed that vermicompost had better ability to resist plant diseases in comparison to commercial compost manures. Previously, Manandhar and Yami [198] found vermicompost to possess highest efficiency of disease control when they compared the effect of composted and vermicomposted fertilizers on foot rot disease of rice caused by Fusarium moniliforme.…”

Pelatihan Pengenalan dan Pemanfaatan Media Sosial Untuk Meningkatkan Penjualan Hasil Hidroponik Karang Taruna dan Warga RW 03 Desa Sumber Jaya, Kecamatan Tambun Selatan, Kabupaten Bekasi

“…Terdapat banyak keuntungan yang dapat diperoleh melalui sistem hidroponik dibandingkan sistem media tanah yang biasa. Keuntungan tersebut antara lain adalah: a. Efisiensi penggunaan tanah yang lebih baik b. Tidak bergantungnya tanaman pada kebutuhan tanah c. Hilangnya risiko penurunan kualitas sebagai akibat dari penanaman yang dilakukan terus menerus dan mengurangi kualitas tanah d. Produksi yang sifatnya lebih bersih dan lebih tinggi, baik dari sisi kualitas ataupun kuantitas (Kopittke et al, 2019) e. Efisiensi terhadap penggunaan pupu dan air f. Tanaman akan memiliki periode yang jauh lebih cepat dan pendek g. Penyakit dan hama yang muncul akan lebih mudah dikendalikan dibandingkan periode menggunakan media tanah (Yatoo et al, 2021) Walaupun memiliki berbagai kelebihan, namun terdapat adanya kekurangan yang dimiliki oleh media hidroponik dibandingkan dengan menggunakan metode tanah yang biasa. Adapun kekurangan tersebut antara lain adalah: a. Tingginya biaya yang dibutuhkan untuk menerapkan metode hidroponik (Richa et al, 2020).…”