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volume 33 issue 3 (september 2012) : 265 - 270

VERMICOMPOST ON CROP PRODUCTION - A REVIEW

C
C. Vennila
C
C. Jayanthi*and V.M. Sankaran
1Department of Agronomy, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai – 600 007, India

  • Submitted|

  • First Online |

  • doi

Cite article:- Vennila C., Sankaran V.M. Jayanthi*and C. (2025). VERMICOMPOST ON CROP PRODUCTION - A REVIEW. Agricultural Reviews. 33(3): 265 - 270. doi: .

ABSTRACT

On one hand tropical soils are deficient in all necessary plant nutrients and on the other hand large quantities of such nutrients contained in domestic wastes and agricultural byproducts are wasted. In nature, there are a number of organisms that have the ability to convert organic waste into valuable resources. This helps to maintain nutrient flow and minimize environmental degradation. One such organism is earthworms, which could be able to recycle the organic wastes into valuable manure i.e. vermicompost. The vermicompost has several advantages when used in agriculture. The literatureing reveal the beneficial effect of vermicompost on crop production, nutrient uptake and maintenance of soil quality has been reviewed in this paper.

REFERENCES

  1. Alam,M.N., Jahan M.S., Ali M.K., Ashraf M. A. and Islam M.K. (2007). Effect of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers on growth, yield and yield components of potato in barind soils of Bangladesh. J. of Applied Sciences Res., 3(12): 1879-1888.
  2. Ali, M.S. and Jahan, M.S. (2001). In. Final completion report on Coordinate project of Vermiculture: Production of Vermicompost and its use in Upland and Horticultural Crops. BARC., Dhaka. p. 21.
  3. Atiyeh, R.M., Dominguez J., Sobler S., Edwards C.A. (2000). Changes in biochemical properties of cow manure during processing by earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and the effects on seedling growth. Pedobiologia, 44:709–724.
  4. Atiyeh, R.M., Arancon N.Q., Edwards C.A., Metzger J.D. (2001). The influence of earthworm-processed pig manure on the growth and productivity of marigolds. Biores. Technol, 81: 103–108.
  5. Ayala, S. and Prakasa Rao E.V.S. ( 2002). Perspectives of soil fertility management with a focus on fertilizer use for crop productivity. Current Science, 82 : 797-807.
  6. Benik, P. and Bejbaruah R. (2004). Effect of vermicompost on rice (Oryza sativa) yield and soil-fertility status of rainfed humid sub-tropics. Indian Journal of Agriculture Sciences, 74 : 488-491.
  7. Bhiday, M.R. (1994). Earthworms in agriculture. Indian Farming, 43 :31–34.
  8. Devi, D and Agarwal S.K. (1998). Performance of sunflower hybrids as influenced by organic manure and fertilizer. J. of Oilseeds Research,15 :272–279.
  9. Edwards, C.A and Burrows I. (1988). The potential of earthworm composts and plant growth media. In: Edwards, C.A., I.P. Neuhauser (Eds.), Earthworms in waste and Environmental Management. SPB Academic. The Netherlands, pp. 211-217.
  10. Gandhi, M., Sangwan V., Kapoor K.K. and Dilbaghi N. (1997). Composting of household wastes with and without earthworms. Environment and Ecology, 15 :432–434.
  11. Hartenstein, R., Neuhauser E.F., and Kaplan D.L. (1979). Reproductive potential of the earthworm Eiseniafoetida. Oecologia, 43: 329-340.
  12. Ismail, S.A. (2000). Organic waste management. In: Technology appreciation programme on evaluation of biotechnological approaches to waste management held on 26th October 2000. Industrial Association-ship of IIT, Madras, pp. 28–30.
  13. Jadhav, A.D., Talashilkar S.C. and Pawar A.G. (1997). Influence of the conjunctive use of FYM, vermicompost and urea on growth and nutrient uptake in rice. J. of Maharashtra Agricultural Universities, 22 :249–250.
  14. Kale, R.D., Bano K., M.N. Sreenivasa, and D.J. Bagyaraj. (1987). Influence of worm cast on the growth and mycorrhizal colonization of two ornamental plants. South Indian Horticulture, 35 : 433-437.
  15. Kannan P., Saravanan A., Krishnakumar S. and Natarajan S.K. (2005). Biological Properties of Soil as Influenced by Different Organic Manures. Res. J. of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 1 : 181-183.
  16. Karmegam N and Daniel T. (2000). Effect of biodigested slurry and vermicompost on the growth and yield of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)]. Environment and Ecology, 18 :367–370.
  17. Karmegam N, Alagermalai K. and Daniel T. (1999). Effect of vermicompost on the growth and yield of greengram (Phaseolus aureus Rob.). Tropical Agriculture, 76 :143–146.
  18. Kaushik, P. and Garg V.K. (2004). Dynamics of biological and chemical parameters during vermicomposting of solid textile mill sludge mixed with cow dung and agricultural residues. Bioresour. Technol., 94, 203–209.
  19. Lampkin, N.H. (1990). Organic Farming. Farming Press, Ipswich, pp. 715.
  20. M. S. Sailaja Kumari and Ushakumari K. (2002). Effect of vermicompost enriched with rock phosphate on the yield and uptake of nutrients in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). J. of Tropical Agriculture, 40: 27-30
  21. Maheswarappa, H.P., Nanjappa H.V. and M.R. Hegde. (1999). Influence of organic manures on yield of arrowroot, soil physico-chemical and biological properties when grown as intercrop in coconut garden. Annals of Agricultural Research, 20 :318-323.
  22. Marinari, S., Masciandaro G., Ceccanti B. and Grego S. (2000). Influence of organic and mineral fertilizers on soil biological and physical properties. Bioresource Technology, 72 :9–17.
  23. Mascolo, A., Bovalo F., Gionfriddo F., and S. Nardi. (1999). Earthworm humic matter produces auxin like effects on Daucus carota cell growth and nitrogen metabolism. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 31:1303-1313.
  24. Mitchell, A and Edwards C.A. (1997). The production of vermicompost using Eisenia fetida from cattle manure. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 29:3-4.
  25. Nethra, N. N, Jayaprasad K.V. and Kale R.D. (1999). China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L)] cultivation using vermicompost as organic amendment. Crop Research, Hisar, 17 : 209–215.
  26. Patil, S.L and Sheelavantar M.N. (2000). Effect of moisture conservation practices, organic sources and nitrogen levels on yield, water use and root development of rabi sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] in the vertisols of semiarid tropics. Annals of Agricultural Research, 21(21):32–36.
  27. Rahuman, A.A. (1984): Functional Morphology of the Megascolecid Earthworm Lampito mauritii. M.Phil., Dissertation, University of Madras, Madras.
  28. Ranganathan, L.S and Parthasarathi K. (2000). Enhanced phosphatase activity in earthworm casts is more of microbial origin. Current Science, 79: 1158–1159.
  29. Reddy, R., Reddy M.A.N., Reddy Y.T.N., Reddy N.S., Anjanappa N. and Reddy R. (1998). Effect of organic and inorganic sources of NPK on growth and yield of pea [Pisum sativum(L)]. Legume Research 21(1):57–60.
  30. Saleh, J. (2008). Yield and chemical composition of ‘Piarom’ date palm as affected by levels and methods of iron fertilization. International Journal of Plant Production, 2 (3), 207-214.
  31. Sreenivas, C., Muralidhar S. and Rao M.S. (2000). Vermicompost, a viable component of IPNSS in nitrogen nutrition of ridge gourd. Annals of Agricultural Research, 21(1):108–113.
  32. Srinivasarao, Ch., Wani S.P., Sahrawat K.L., Rego T.J., and Pardhasaradhi G. (2008). Zinc, boron and sulphur deficiencies are holding back the potential of rainfed crops in semi-arid India: Experiences from participatory watershed management. Int. J.of plant production, 2(1):89-99.
  33. Suthar, S. (2006). Effect of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer on wheat (Triticum aesticum) production. Nature,Environment & Pollution Technology, 5(2): 197-201.
  34. Suthar, S. (2007). Nutrient changes and biodynamics of epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus (Perrier) during recycling of some agricultural wastes. Bioresource Technology, 98: 1608-1614.
  35. Suthar, S. (2008). Vermicomposting of domestic waste by using two epigeic earthworms (Perionyx excavatus and Perionyx sansibaricus). Int. J.of Environmental Science and Technology, 5(1), 99-106.
  36. Suthar, S., Choyal R., Singh S., and Sudesh. (2005). Stimulatory effect of earthworm body fluid (vermiwash) on seed germination and seedling growth of two legumes. J. of Phytological Research, 18(2): 219-222.
  37. Thompson, R.B and Nogales R. (1999). Nitrogen and carbon mineralization in soil of vermicomposted and unprocessed dry olive cake (‘Orujo seco’) produced from two stage centrifugation for olive oil extraction. J.of Environmental Science and Health, 34(5):917–928.
  38. Vadiraj, B.A., Siddagangaiah D. and Potty S.N. (1998). Response of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cultivars to graded levels of vermicompost. J. of Spices and Aromatic Crops, 7(2):141–143.
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    volume 33 issue 3 (september 2012) : 265 - 270

    VERMICOMPOST ON CROP PRODUCTION - A REVIEW

    C
    C. Vennila
    C
    C. Jayanthi*and V.M. Sankaran
    1Department of Agronomy, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai – 600 007, India

    • Submitted|

    • First Online |

    • doi

    Cite article:- Vennila C., Sankaran V.M. Jayanthi*and C. (2025). VERMICOMPOST ON CROP PRODUCTION - A REVIEW. Agricultural Reviews. 33(3): 265 - 270. doi: .

    ABSTRACT

    On one hand tropical soils are deficient in all necessary plant nutrients and on the other hand large quantities of such nutrients contained in domestic wastes and agricultural byproducts are wasted. In nature, there are a number of organisms that have the ability to convert organic waste into valuable resources. This helps to maintain nutrient flow and minimize environmental degradation. One such organism is earthworms, which could be able to recycle the organic wastes into valuable manure i.e. vermicompost. The vermicompost has several advantages when used in agriculture. The literatureing reveal the beneficial effect of vermicompost on crop production, nutrient uptake and maintenance of soil quality has been reviewed in this paper.

    REFERENCES

    1. Alam,M.N., Jahan M.S., Ali M.K., Ashraf M. A. and Islam M.K. (2007). Effect of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers on growth, yield and yield components of potato in barind soils of Bangladesh. J. of Applied Sciences Res., 3(12): 1879-1888.
    2. Ali, M.S. and Jahan, M.S. (2001). In. Final completion report on Coordinate project of Vermiculture: Production of Vermicompost and its use in Upland and Horticultural Crops. BARC., Dhaka. p. 21.
    3. Atiyeh, R.M., Dominguez J., Sobler S., Edwards C.A. (2000). Changes in biochemical properties of cow manure during processing by earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and the effects on seedling growth. Pedobiologia, 44:709–724.
    4. Atiyeh, R.M., Arancon N.Q., Edwards C.A., Metzger J.D. (2001). The influence of earthworm-processed pig manure on the growth and productivity of marigolds. Biores. Technol, 81: 103–108.
    5. Ayala, S. and Prakasa Rao E.V.S. ( 2002). Perspectives of soil fertility management with a focus on fertilizer use for crop productivity. Current Science, 82 : 797-807.
    6. Benik, P. and Bejbaruah R. (2004). Effect of vermicompost on rice (Oryza sativa) yield and soil-fertility status of rainfed humid sub-tropics. Indian Journal of Agriculture Sciences, 74 : 488-491.
    7. Bhiday, M.R. (1994). Earthworms in agriculture. Indian Farming, 43 :31–34.
    8. Devi, D and Agarwal S.K. (1998). Performance of sunflower hybrids as influenced by organic manure and fertilizer. J. of Oilseeds Research,15 :272–279.
    9. Edwards, C.A and Burrows I. (1988). The potential of earthworm composts and plant growth media. In: Edwards, C.A., I.P. Neuhauser (Eds.), Earthworms in waste and Environmental Management. SPB Academic. The Netherlands, pp. 211-217.
    10. Gandhi, M., Sangwan V., Kapoor K.K. and Dilbaghi N. (1997). Composting of household wastes with and without earthworms. Environment and Ecology, 15 :432–434.
    11. Hartenstein, R., Neuhauser E.F., and Kaplan D.L. (1979). Reproductive potential of the earthworm Eiseniafoetida. Oecologia, 43: 329-340.
    12. Ismail, S.A. (2000). Organic waste management. In: Technology appreciation programme on evaluation of biotechnological approaches to waste management held on 26th October 2000. Industrial Association-ship of IIT, Madras, pp. 28–30.
    13. Jadhav, A.D., Talashilkar S.C. and Pawar A.G. (1997). Influence of the conjunctive use of FYM, vermicompost and urea on growth and nutrient uptake in rice. J. of Maharashtra Agricultural Universities, 22 :249–250.
    14. Kale, R.D., Bano K., M.N. Sreenivasa, and D.J. Bagyaraj. (1987). Influence of worm cast on the growth and mycorrhizal colonization of two ornamental plants. South Indian Horticulture, 35 : 433-437.
    15. Kannan P., Saravanan A., Krishnakumar S. and Natarajan S.K. (2005). Biological Properties of Soil as Influenced by Different Organic Manures. Res. J. of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, 1 : 181-183.
    16. Karmegam N and Daniel T. (2000). Effect of biodigested slurry and vermicompost on the growth and yield of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.)]. Environment and Ecology, 18 :367–370.
    17. Karmegam N, Alagermalai K. and Daniel T. (1999). Effect of vermicompost on the growth and yield of greengram (Phaseolus aureus Rob.). Tropical Agriculture, 76 :143–146.
    18. Kaushik, P. and Garg V.K. (2004). Dynamics of biological and chemical parameters during vermicomposting of solid textile mill sludge mixed with cow dung and agricultural residues. Bioresour. Technol., 94, 203–209.
    19. Lampkin, N.H. (1990). Organic Farming. Farming Press, Ipswich, pp. 715.
    20. M. S. Sailaja Kumari and Ushakumari K. (2002). Effect of vermicompost enriched with rock phosphate on the yield and uptake of nutrients in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). J. of Tropical Agriculture, 40: 27-30
    21. Maheswarappa, H.P., Nanjappa H.V. and M.R. Hegde. (1999). Influence of organic manures on yield of arrowroot, soil physico-chemical and biological properties when grown as intercrop in coconut garden. Annals of Agricultural Research, 20 :318-323.
    22. Marinari, S., Masciandaro G., Ceccanti B. and Grego S. (2000). Influence of organic and mineral fertilizers on soil biological and physical properties. Bioresource Technology, 72 :9–17.
    23. Mascolo, A., Bovalo F., Gionfriddo F., and S. Nardi. (1999). Earthworm humic matter produces auxin like effects on Daucus carota cell growth and nitrogen metabolism. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 31:1303-1313.
    24. Mitchell, A and Edwards C.A. (1997). The production of vermicompost using Eisenia fetida from cattle manure. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 29:3-4.
    25. Nethra, N. N, Jayaprasad K.V. and Kale R.D. (1999). China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L)] cultivation using vermicompost as organic amendment. Crop Research, Hisar, 17 : 209–215.
    26. Patil, S.L and Sheelavantar M.N. (2000). Effect of moisture conservation practices, organic sources and nitrogen levels on yield, water use and root development of rabi sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] in the vertisols of semiarid tropics. Annals of Agricultural Research, 21(21):32–36.
    27. Rahuman, A.A. (1984): Functional Morphology of the Megascolecid Earthworm Lampito mauritii. M.Phil., Dissertation, University of Madras, Madras.
    28. Ranganathan, L.S and Parthasarathi K. (2000). Enhanced phosphatase activity in earthworm casts is more of microbial origin. Current Science, 79: 1158–1159.
    29. Reddy, R., Reddy M.A.N., Reddy Y.T.N., Reddy N.S., Anjanappa N. and Reddy R. (1998). Effect of organic and inorganic sources of NPK on growth and yield of pea [Pisum sativum(L)]. Legume Research 21(1):57–60.
    30. Saleh, J. (2008). Yield and chemical composition of ‘Piarom’ date palm as affected by levels and methods of iron fertilization. International Journal of Plant Production, 2 (3), 207-214.
    31. Sreenivas, C., Muralidhar S. and Rao M.S. (2000). Vermicompost, a viable component of IPNSS in nitrogen nutrition of ridge gourd. Annals of Agricultural Research, 21(1):108–113.
    32. Srinivasarao, Ch., Wani S.P., Sahrawat K.L., Rego T.J., and Pardhasaradhi G. (2008). Zinc, boron and sulphur deficiencies are holding back the potential of rainfed crops in semi-arid India: Experiences from participatory watershed management. Int. J.of plant production, 2(1):89-99.
    33. Suthar, S. (2006). Effect of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer on wheat (Triticum aesticum) production. Nature,Environment & Pollution Technology, 5(2): 197-201.
    34. Suthar, S. (2007). Nutrient changes and biodynamics of epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus (Perrier) during recycling of some agricultural wastes. Bioresource Technology, 98: 1608-1614.
    35. Suthar, S. (2008). Vermicomposting of domestic waste by using two epigeic earthworms (Perionyx excavatus and Perionyx sansibaricus). Int. J.of Environmental Science and Technology, 5(1), 99-106.
    36. Suthar, S., Choyal R., Singh S., and Sudesh. (2005). Stimulatory effect of earthworm body fluid (vermiwash) on seed germination and seedling growth of two legumes. J. of Phytological Research, 18(2): 219-222.
    37. Thompson, R.B and Nogales R. (1999). Nitrogen and carbon mineralization in soil of vermicomposted and unprocessed dry olive cake (‘Orujo seco’) produced from two stage centrifugation for olive oil extraction. J.of Environmental Science and Health, 34(5):917–928.
    38. Vadiraj, B.A., Siddagangaiah D. and Potty S.N. (1998). Response of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cultivars to graded levels of vermicompost. J. of Spices and Aromatic Crops, 7(2):141–143.
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