Vermicompost: Enhancing Plant Growth and Combating Abiotic and Biotic Stress

Abstract

Extensive application of agrochemicals for crop production and protection has negatively affected soil health, crop productivity, and the environment. Organic amendments have been proposed as an efficient alternative for enhancing soil and plant health. Vermicompost amendment offers a sustainable approach to plant nutrition, improving soil health and fertility. This review aims to provide key insights into the potential of vermicompost to boost crop production and protect crops from biotic and abiotic stresses without harming the environment. The role played by earthworms in improving organic matter decomposition, soil fertility, and soil microorganisms’ activity is also discussed here. The value of vermicompost is its promotion of plant growth based on its enrichment with all essential nutrients, beneficial microbes, and plant growth hormones. This review analyzes how vermicompost regulates plant growth and its role in mitigating abiotic stresses such as soil salinity and drought, as well as biotic stresses such as diseases and insect pests attack. The beneficial effects of hormones and humic substances present in vermicompost are also discussed in this review. In fact, due to its properties, vermicompost can be a good substitute for chemical fertilizers and pesticides and its usage could contribute to producing healthy, contaminant-free food for the growing population without negatively affecting the environment.

Vermicompost and bactericide application minimized common bacterial blight development and enhanced nodulation and agronomic performances of bean varieties in Southern Ethiopia

“…It has been indicated that the application of VC enhances the quality of soils through increasing microbial activity and microbial biomass, which are key components in nutrient cycling, production of plant growth regulators, and protecting plants from pest attacks (Arancon & Edwards, 2005). The microbes could also induce systemic resistance against pathogens, increase nutrient competition, release specific metabolites against pathogens, and directly parasitize pathogens (Rehman et al, 2023).…”

“…VC is widely known as an organic fertilizer, which is rich in nutrient availability and microbial activity, and VC increases soil fertility, enhances plant growth, and suppresses the population of plant pathogens and pests (Arancon & Edwards, 2005;Rehman et al, 2023). Essential nutrients in organic fertilizers can affect disease severity, can be used for control (Agrios, 2005), and are important for the growth and development of plants and microorganisms (Rehman et al, 2023;Rostami et al, 2014). Despite the fact, VC has not been well evaluated for CBB disease suppression under Ethiopian conditions, except for the application of water extracts of VC to control nematode parasitism (Brzesk, 1997).…”

“…However, information regarding the integration of vermicompost (VC) with chemicals, host resistance, and cultural practices for CBB management has been limited in the study areas and the country. VC is widely known as an organic fertilizer, which is rich in nutrient availability and microbial activity, and VC increases soil fertility, enhances plant growth, and suppresses the population of plant pathogens and pests (Arancon & Edwards, 2005;Rehman et al, 2023). Essential nutrients in organic fertilizers can affect disease severity, can be used for control (Agrios, 2005), and are important for the growth and development of plants and microorganisms (Rehman et al, 2023;Rostami et al, 2014).…”

Transforming Organic Solid Waste Management: Embracing Humification for Sustainable Resource Recovery

“…Additionally, HS have been found to enhance plant resistance to diseases and pests. 129 HS stimulate the production of plant defense compounds, enhance the activity of beneficial microorganisms, and induce systemic acquired resistance, which strengthens plants' resistance against pathogen attacks. 130 This reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides and promotes sustainable pest management practices.…”

“…This antioxidant property contributes to the enhancement of plant stress tolerance. Additionally, HS have been found to enhance plant resistance to diseases and pests . HS stimulate the production of plant defense compounds, enhance the activity of beneficial microorganisms, and induce systemic acquired resistance, which strengthens plants’ resistance against pathogen attacks .…”