Chapter 7 - Use of vermicompost and vermiwash for the growth and production of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.): A case study in Suriname

Abstract

This study was conducted to understand how to use organic waste to produce vermiwash and vermicompost, as well as how these products affected the productivity of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in the greenhouse and under field conditions. The research involved the production of vermicompost followed by vermiwash using Eisenia foetida night crawlers and the cultivation of tomatoes. The production of vermicompost included three dried feed types (grass clippings, neem leaves, and a blend of grass clippings and neem leaves) in triplicate. the Treatments were a control, vermicompost, vermiwash, and a mixture of vermicompost and vermiwash. The experiment revealed that the harvested vermicompost was brownish black with a fine texture, a sweet-smelling odor, and standard nutrient contents. The vermiwash produced from various vermicomposting bins was a brownish color liquid. Vermicompost, vermiwash, and their combination positively affected the production and growth parameters of tomatoes. The combined treatment of vermiwash and vermicompost had the best results in terms of yield, followed by vermiwash and vermicompost.