Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different vermicomposts and their dosages on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) plants in pot culture experiment. A total of five potting media were prepared containing soil and vermicompost. Soil fortified with 10 and 20 % vermicompost was used as potting media. The fertility status of soil and vermicomposts was quantified. In these potting media, growth, yield and biochemical parameters of chickpea plants were studied up to 90 days. The results showed that the fortification of soil with vermicompost significantly stimulated the chickpea plant growth. The plant height, plant shoot biomass, number of pods and photosynthetic pigments were significantly higher in vermicompost-fortified experiments, whereas vermicompost fortification had no significant effect on chickpea seed germination as it was ≈100 % in all experiments. Total chlorophyll content in chickpea leaves was in the range of 0.437–1.07 mg/g. Similarly, carotenoid content was minimum in control and maximum in 20 % vermicompost containing potting media. It was concluded that if soil is fortified with appropriate quantities of vermicompost, the chickpea production per unit area could be enhanced significantly.
Highlights
Conventional agricultural systems have been characterized by high input of chemical fertilizer and pesticides leading to soil health deterioration and poor product quality due to a reduction in soil organic matter content
Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different vermicomposts and their dosages on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) plants in pot culture experiment
The results showed that the fortification of soil with vermicompost significantly stimulated the chickpea plant growth
Summary
Conventional agricultural systems have been characterized by high input of chemical fertilizer and pesticides leading to soil health deterioration and poor product quality due to a reduction in soil organic matter content. Organic farming has gained attention as it maintains soil health, prevents soil erosion, uses natural pest controlling agents and farm products have better nutritive quality. It is evident from the available literature that organic fraction of solid wastes contains significant quantities of NPK. Organic wastes cannot directly be applied to the agricultural fields since these may cause phytotoxicity or may destroy the natural fertility of the soil. Their stabilization is essential prior to their application in agricultural fields (Gupta et al 2014)
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