​​Potential of Vermiwash Prepared from Different Combinations of Organic Wastes to Improve the Growth, Yield and Quality of Organic Black Gram

Abstract

Background: Excessive and unbalanced chemical fertilization in crop husbandry has attracted much attention because of soil health issues, reducing crop quality, increasing production cost and environmental risks. Organic farming is perceived as the best-known alternative method and has numerous environmental benefits. “Vermiwash” is liquid manure extracted from earthworms rich-vermicompost containing soluble nutrients, growth hormones, enzymes and many micro-organisms. As a result, the purpose of this study was to see how vermiwash affected the production and quality of black gram. Methods: During the kharif 2018, a field experiment was set up in a randomized block design to assess the effect of nine vermiwash treatments prepared from different organic wastes like cow dung, buffalo dung, green and dry field wastes and their combinations on growth, yield attributes and yield, nutrients and protein content of organic black gram (var. PU-31) and biochemical properties of vermiwash. Result: The neutral to slightly alkaline pH (7.72), E.C. (1.39 dSm-1) and maximum nutrients content, greatest average microbiological count (total number of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) and enzyme activity (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenase) were significantly found in treatment (T1) among the various vermiwash treatments at 35 days after collection. Moreover, the foliar application of vermiwash treatment (T1) significantly recorded highest growth, seed yield, nutrients and protein content. Based on-field results, it is possible to infer that treatment T1 (foliar spray in two equal split applications at a rate of 10% at the onset of flowering and 15 days following the first spray) is a better fertilizer practice for organic black gram cultivation.