A Sustainable Approach Impact of Vermicompost...

A Sustainable Approach Impact of Vermicompost on Soil Nutrients, Plant Growth and Yield Attributes

Author Name : Varshit Kumar, Ayusee Biswal, Lakshya Kumar Singh, B Surya Vardhan Reddy, Ankit, Anita Jaswal, Shimpy Sarkar, Arshdeep Singh

ABSTRACT

Vermicomposting is a low-technology, environmentally friendly process used to treat organic waste. The resulting vermicompost has been shown to have several positive impacts on plant growth and soil health. This organic fertilizer is therefore increasingly considered in agriculture and horticulture as a promising alternative to inorganic fertilizers and/or peat in greenhouse potting media. Vermicomposting is a green technology that converts organic wastes into plant available nutrient rich organic fertilizer. It has also been found to reduce heavy metal concentration in contaminated feeding materials. Vermicompost (VC), when used as fertilizer, not only bears positive impact on soil quality, plant growth and yield but also enhances nutritional value of crops produced. Use of VC on soil improves its physiochemical (aggregation, stability, pH, EC, bulk density, water holding capacity (WHC), organic matter (OM), micro- and macro- nutrients.) and biological properties (microbial population, enzymes). It also increases soil structural stability and reduces vulnerability of soil to calamities like erosion. Use of VC in plant growth enhances their development in early as well as latter stages of plant growth but proper concentration of VC must be considered for optimum plant growth and production.

Keywords: life of earth, decent work and economic growth, climate action, humic acids, soil fertility, sustainable agriculture.