Abstract
Vermicomposting is a process in which earthworms are utilized to convert biodegradable organic waste into humus-like vermicast. Past work, mainly on vermicomposting of animal droppings, has shown that vermicompost is an excellent organic fertilizer and is also imbibed with pest-repellent properties. However, there is no clarity whether vermicomposts of organic wastes other than animal droppings are as plant-friendly as the manure-based vermicomposts are believed to be. It is also not clear as to whether the action of a vermicompost as a fertilizer depends on the species of plants being fertilized by it. This raises questions whether vermicomposts are beneficial (or harmful) at all levels of application or if there is a duality in their action which is a function of their rate of application. The present work is an attempt to seek answers to these questions. To that end, all hitherto published reports on the action of vermicomposts of different substrates on different species of plants have been assessed. The study reveals that, in general, vermicomposts of all animal/plant based organic wastes are highly potent fertilizers. They also possess some ability to repel plant pests. The factors that shape these properties have been assessed and the knowledge gaps that need to be bridged have been identified.
Highlights
For sustaining soil fertility and boost crop production, organic wastes such as cattle droppings, rejects from the kitchen, sewage sludge or anaerobically digested animal manure have been used in agriculture for a long time [1,2,3]
The substrate acquires some of the enzymes and microorganisms, as well as some of the hormones, present in the earthworm gut, as it is excreted by the earthworm in the form of vermicast
We began by exploring all potential sources for material on the effect of VC derived from different substrates on different species of plants
Summary
For sustaining soil fertility and boost crop production, organic wastes such as cattle droppings, rejects from the kitchen, sewage sludge or anaerobically digested animal manure have been used in agriculture for a long time [1,2,3] These substances provide nutrients and organic carbon to the soil, but not very efficiently [4]. The substrate acquires some of the enzymes and microorganisms, as well as some of the hormones, present in the earthworm gut, as it is excreted by the earthworm in the form of vermicast During this vermicomposting, 50 ± 10% of the organic carbon present in the parent substrate is mineralized and is emitted in the form of carbon dioxide. The mineralization caused by the biodegradation makes these nutrients more bioavailable than they were in the parent substrate
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