Influence of Vermicompost Derived from Rice Straw, Neem Leaves, and Cow Dung on Plant Growth Parameters of Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato)

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effect of vermicompost derived from different combinations of rice straw, cow dung, and neem leaves on growth and productivity of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum). Methods: The vermicomposting studies are performed with rice straw, cow dung, and neem leaves in plastic containers under ambient conditions using Eisenia fetida species of earthworm. The vermicomposts (A, B, and C) are used with soil to evaluate influence on growth and productivity of tomato plants as compared with compost, commercial organic fertilizer, and control, i.e. T1: soil + vermicompost A, T2: soil + vermicompost B, T3: soil + vermicompost C, T4: soil + compost, T5: soil + commercial organic fertilizer, and T6: only soil (control). Findings: The vermicompost (C) produced with the highest stock density (40) of Eisenia fetida showed maximum improvement in growth parameters and productivity of tomato plants (T3), i.e. 6.13, 11.2, 1.14, 2.82, 3.65, 0.30, 15.3 fold, and 7.58% increase in mean leaf number, plant height, stem diameter, plant weight, root weight and length, tomato number, and weight, respectively. There is found positive correlation between physicochemical parameters of the vermicompost and productivity of tomato plants. The vermicompost showed the best growth and productivity in tomato plants as compared with commercial organic fertilizer, compost, and control. Novelty: The present study is performed under cool and humid climate of Gurugram from October 2021 to January 2022. Neem leaves improved nutritional quality of vermicompost at same stock density of Eisenia fetida. Keywords: Earthworm; Eisenia fetida; Rice straw; Tomato plant; Vermicompost; Compost