The purpose of this paper is to review published literature which provides information to support the cultivation of vegetable crops using vermicompost in comparison to chemical fertilizers. With the systematic method, &ldquo;Google Scholar,&rdquo; a web search engine which provides an easy way to search for published articles, journals or books was used to research works of literature on &ldquo;Vegetable crops cultivation using vermicompost in comparison to chemical fertilizers.&rdquo; Then a subjective approach was used to select the themes that were discussed by reading through the abstracts and findings from the related works of literature. The subtopics discussed were: vermicompost, components of vermicompost, impacts of vermicompost, chemical fertilizers, components of chemical fertilizers, impacts of chemical fertilizers along with the use of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers on crops. The published papers established that vermicompost is an excellent organic medium which can be used to cultivate vegetable crops in comparison to chemical fertilizers because growing crops with vermicompost improves plant health with a positive influence on the yield and growth parameters of many plants, it has a high nutrient content, has pesticidal properties and slowly releases nutrients as compared to the chemical fertilizers which is depleted faster due to its release of nutrients too quickly. Chemical fertilizers on the other hand are useful in crop cultivation as it provides what is needed quickly but it has several negative impacts on plants, the soil and its surroundings.

Vegetable Crop Cultivation using Vermicompost in Comparison to Chemical Fertilizers: A Review

Podzolic soils belong to a low fertile soils. To obtain a crop it is necessary to add fertilizers. It was suggested to use vermicompost as fertilzer. Vermicompost is a natural fertilizer that is beneficial against chemical fertilizers. To confirm positive effect of biohumus different plants were grown. Grass and radishes were grown in forms, and radishes, onion and marigolds were grown in outdoor experimental plot. 
It was grown plants in poor podzolic soil with added vermicompost. Grass had a higher growth in medium with 4 % vermicompost. The best foliage length of radish was for sample with 4 % vermicompost added. Radish root crop diameter was 2.5 times more than control when growing in forms. In experimental plot radishes were grown with 43.5 % increasing in weight and 17.7 % increasing in diameter. Incorporation of vermicompost in amounts of 5 kg/m2 and 7 kg/m2 led to increasing the weight and diameter of onions. The length of onion leaves was slightly larger than control. Marigolds grown in vermicompost medium had the most powerful sprouts and greatest length. Marigolds stem diameter, flower diameter, and quantity of inflorescences were also higher than control. Obtained data indicates the success of using vermicompost for podzolic soils enrichment and plants growing.

Growing of grass, radish, onion and marigolds in vermicompost made from pig manure and wheat straw

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the combined effects of cadmium toxicity, application of vermicompost and inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhiza on soybean. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (factorial) and replicated thrice. The treatments included arbuscular mycorrhiza in two levels (inoculation and non- inoculation in soil), vermicompost in two levels (application @ 5 % of soil weight and non-application) and cadmium chloride in five levels (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg kg-1 of soil). The result showed that increasing concentrations of cadmium chloride significantly increased electrolyte leakage and leaf transpiration, and decreased photosynthetic rate, Fv/Fm, root weight, pod number per plant and grain weight per plant. Application of vermicompost and mycorrhiza decreased the toxic effects of cadmium chloride. Application of vermicompost increased Fv/Fm, grain weight per plant, number pods per plant and seed oil percent, and application of mycorrhiza increased root weight and photosynthetic rate.

Effect of cadmium chloride on soybean in presence of&nbsp;arbuscular mycorrhiza and vermicompost&nbsp;

<div>Background: Transforming the abundance of palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge into beneficial substances such as an organic amendments is vital in the recycling of waste. Vermicomposting from treated POME sludge (TPS) was evaluated on the effect of soil physicochemical properties, crop performances and to determine the best treatment effect on the biomass of the hybrid grain maize (Zea mays L.). 
 
Methods:&nbsp;The experimental layout was designed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The grain maize cultivated in Bungor series soil (Ultisol) comprising of (T1) control (NPK fertilizer), (T2) 1 kg of vermicompost, (T3) 2 kg vermicompost, (T4) 1 kg TPS and T5 (2 kg TPS) with six replications, for a period of 100 days from June to September 2019. Half of the NPK fertilizer dosage applied from the recommended practices. 
 
Result:&nbsp;The treatments with 50% reduction of NPK rate significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected soil physicochemical properties. The dry matter production, crop performance analysis (net photosynthesis, stomata conductance and transpiration rate) and root weight density were also increased significantly using 2 kg of vermicompost treatment. Vermicompost application demonstrated the best treatment effect on soil properties and grain maize productivity. Utilization of POME sludge waste into organic amendment through vermicomposting approach would become very crucial practices to be adopted in reducing the abundance waste.</div>

I​nfluence of Treated POME Sludge Vermicomposting on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Maize Growth Performances

<div>Background: Use of organic manures to meet the nutrient requirement of the crop would be an inevitable practice for sustainable agriculture. Since organic manures generally improve the physical, chemical and biological properties along with conserving soil moisture and thus resulting in enhanced crop productivity along with maintaining the quality of crop production. Organic farming in recent years is gaining significance due to the realization of inherent advantages it confers in sustaining crop production and also in maintaining dynamic soil nutrient status and safe environment. Organic farming is also concerns to produce the quality food and human health, so that this research and studied the interaction effect of vermicompost and poultry manure on groundnut crop in Chitrakoot condition. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted at Rajola Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot in kharif 2019. The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of poultry manure and vermicompost applications. The morphological and biochemical parameters were evaluated in experimental farm and departmental laboratory. 
 
Result:&nbsp;The combination dose of V3P3&nbsp;(6 ton ha-1&nbsp;vermicompost and 4 ton ha-1 poultry manure) was found to be best giving the maximum values. The effect of V3 on the number of pod per plant and number of seed per plant was maximum 15.20 and 3.22 and effect of P3&nbsp;on the number of pod per plant and number of seed per plant was maximum 14.156 and 3.11 respectively. The interaction of vermicompost and poultry manure of the V3P3&nbsp;combination was recorded maximum 17.13 per plant. Seed per pod interaction of vermicompost and poultry manure of the V3P3 combination also recorded maximum 3.66 per pod. Effect of vermicompost and poultry manure on 100 kernel weight was maximum in V3 (42.55 g) and P3&nbsp;(41.00 g) respectively. The shelling percentage also was recorded maximum in V3&nbsp;(69.77) and P3 (67.77) and interaction of both parameters was recorded non significance. Effect on yield (q/ha) was recorded maximum in V3 (1.05) and P3&nbsp;(0.99) and the interaction was recorded maximum in V3P3&nbsp;combination (1.27). The effect of vermicompost on oil percentage, protein percentage and oil yield (kg/ha) was recorded maximum 48.46, 21.33 and 1573.5 in V3 respectively. The effect of poultry manure recorded maximum in P3&nbsp;(48.03), 20.68 and 1411.2 kg/ha oil percentage, protein percentage and oil yield respectively. The interaction of vermicompost and poultry manure was recorded maximum with the combination of V3P3&nbsp;and found 49.52 oil percentage, 21.76 protein percentage and 1696.00 kg/ha oil yield. The results indicated that all these parameters were significantly increased due to vermicompost and poultry manure application. Their interaction was also significant. It was evident that a combination dose of V3P3 (6 ton ha-1&nbsp;vermicompost and 4 ton ha-1&nbsp;poultry manure) was found to be best giving the maximum values.</div>

Effect of the Vermicompost and Poultry Manure on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Rain-fed Condition

<div>Background: The importance of organic fertilizers in agricultural production has increased due to the negative effects of intensive chemical fertilizer use on soil, the environment and human health. Vermicompost, as a rich organic fertilizer and soil amendment material, maybe a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers. While a low concentration of vermicompost has a promotive effect on growth, it may lead to inhibition of germination and seedling growth. Therefore, this study aimed to find appropriate dose ranges for vermicompost application. 
 
Methods: The study was carried out as a factorial experiment with a completely randomized design with three replications. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber as a pot study with four doses of vermicompost (control, 10, 20 and 30%). Eight cultivars from four different species were used. The response of germination and seedling traits to increased vermicompost concentration was investigated. 
 
Result: In general, while 10% and 20% of vermicompost showed a promotive effect depending on species, higher dose inhibited the germination and dry matter accumulation. As a result, the promotive effect of low dose and inhibitory effect of higher doses are thought to be caused by the complex chemical composition of vermicompost and increasing medium pH. Therefore, the concentration of the vermicompost that will cause pH changes should be carefully considered and the pH range in which the plant species show optimum growth should be well determined.</div>

<div>The Response of Grain Legumes to Vermicompost at Germination and Seedling Stages</div>

<div>Background: Vermicompost is a manure produced from organic waste through the activity of epigeic earthworms and microbes. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers for long term to increase the crop productivity have led to deterioration of soil health. Therefore, to assess the effect of vermicompost, as an alternative option to chemical fertilizer, on tea yield and earthworm population, field application of vermicompost on tea plantation was carried out for a period of two years (2015-2016) in Harishnagar Tea Estate, West Tripura, India.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The experimental plot (25 sq. m) was set up using a random block design with 4 different rates of vermicompost viz. T0 (Control), T1 (5 t ha-1 year-1), T2 (10 t ha-1 year-1) and T3 (15 t ha-1 year-1) each having five replications. Composite soil samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Earthworms were also collected during the experimental period. 
 
Conclusion: Application of vermicompost significantly influenced the tea plantation soils, increased the tea yield along with earthworm population and was dependent on the vermicompost doses applied.</div>

<div>Impact of Rubber Leaf Vermicompost on Tea (Camellia sinensis) Yield and Earthworm Population in West Tripura (India)</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Judicious application of inorganic fertilizers is very essential to obtain high yields of improved crop varieties. But the liberal and continuous application of inorganic fertilizers under intensive crop production systems resulted in multiple nutrient deficiency in the soil besides causing imbalance in soil physico-chemical properties. Further the increased use of inorganic fertilizers resulted in diminishing soil fertility and unsustainable crop yields, besides creating additional problems in soil such as soil acidity, alkalinity, soil and ground water pollution. Organic agriculture is environment friendly, ecological production system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Organic materials such as compost, vermicompost, poultry manure, oilcakes, green manures and crop residues can substitute inorganic fertilizers to maintain productivity and environmental quality. The quality of agricultural produce, particularly horticultural produce viz., vegetables, flowers and fruits get improves when the nutrients are supplied through organic manures than in the form of fertilizers.&nbsp; 
Methods: Keeping all above information in view, a present experiment was carried out to study the effect of application of different ratio of vermicompost amended with soil on the growth, yield and quality of tomato crop (Lycopersican esculentum). A pot culture experiment was conducted to study the efficiency of vermicompost on plant growth and yield.&nbsp; 
Result: From the study, application of organic manures viz vermicompost resulted better crop growth and quality parameters in tomato crop and remarkably improvement in soil fertility was also observed. Application of vermicompost at 25 per cent and 50 per cent treatments not showed significant difference in growth and quality parameters of tomato crop. Regarding the quantity of vermicompost application, the cost of cultivation was reduced in 25 per cent vermicompost applied treatment than 50 per cent vermicompost applied treatment. Therefore, application of 25 per cent vermicompost treatment was found to be the best suited practice for tomato crop cultivation and also increased a net return, improved quality products and sustaining the soil health. Application of organic manure is one of the viable approaches for eco-friendly crop production.</div>

Study the Efficiency of Vermicompost on Growth and Yield Attributes of Tomato (Lycopersican esculentum)

<div>Background: Vermicomposting is the agricultural technique of conversion of organic wastes to a fertile product, which can result in better crop growth and production. However, even though earthworms are the main organisms participating in the process, the microbes associated with it also have an important role to play. These microbes degrade the waste products biochemically and are responsible of the conversion processes. Few studies are carried out on microbial diversity and related enzymes activities in the vermicompost prepared from different organic waste materials. &nbsp; 
 
Methods: In this paper, we isolated both bacteria and fungi from seven different types of vermicompost, using different selective media. We also studied the activity of hydrolytic enzymes that are associated with the isolated microbes. 
 
Result: It was observed that bacteria like Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Micrococcus, Actinomycetes, Pigment producing Actinomycetes, Streptomyces, Azotobactor and fungi like Penicillium purpurogenum, Aspergillus sp., Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani, Rhizopus sp., Mucor hiemalis, Myrothecium verrucaria etc. were present in our vermicompost preparations. The presence of nitrogen fixing bacteria, phosphate solubilizing microorganisms and PGPR indicated the good fertilizer value of the vermicompost samples. It was also observed that the diversity of microbes present supported significant levels of CMCase Exoglucanase, Xylanase, &beta;-Glucosidase, Phosphatase and Urease activities.</div>

<div>Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Vermicompost Prepared from Different Types of Organic Wastes using Eisenia fetida</div>

<div>Background: Vermicomposting or the conversion of organic wastes into fertile manure by earthworms has long been used in agriculture to increase production of crops. Chemical composition of vermicompost determines the quality and its use in increasing crop yield. It is important to carry out compositional analysis of the vermicompost samples if different substrates are used for their preparation. 
 
Methods: In this study, we prepared vermicompost using earthworm Eisenia fetida (old name Eisenia foetida) and different organic wastes, namely wheat straw, bagasse, grass, neem leaves etc. The nutrient content (C, H, N, S, P, K and Humic Acid) was determined for each sample and the effect on plant growth was also observed. 
 
Result: It was observed that despite the source of vermicompost, nutrient content was always higher in vermicompost than control organic waste. It was also seen that among the different sources, neem leaves and wheat straw gave rise to the most nutritious compost. The effect on plants was also seen to be much better with these vermicompost samples compared to control without added vermicompost. It was observed that the C/N ratio of the organic wastes significantly decreased during vermicompost, which indicates the increase in nitrogen concentration easily available to plants. Not only were we able to obtain better growth of plants, we were also able to transform some agricultural wastes into useful products, which otherwise would have been dumped into a landfill or burnt, both of which would have been a waste.</div>

<div>Compositional Evaluation of Vermicompost Prepared from Different Types of Organic Wastes using Eisenia fetida and Studying its Effect on Crop Growth</div>

Vegetable Crop Cultivation using Vermicompost in Comparison to Chemical Fertilizers: A Review

Growing of grass, radish, onion and marigolds in vermicompost made from pig manure and wheat straw

Effect of cadmium chloride on soybean in presence of arbuscular mycorrhiza and vermicompost

Influence of Treated POME Sludge Vermicomposting on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Maize Growth Performances

Effect of the Vermicompost and Poultry Manure on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Rain-fed Condition

The Response of Grain Legumes to Vermicompost at Germination and Seedling Stages

Impact of Rubber Leaf Vermicompost on Tea (Camellia sinensis) Yield and Earthworm Population in West Tripura (India)

Study the Efficiency of Vermicompost on Growth and Yield Attributes of Tomato (Lycopersican esculentum)

Evaluation of Microbiological Quality of Vermicompost Prepared from Different Types of Organic Wastes using Eisenia fetida

Compositional Evaluation of Vermicompost Prepared from Different Types of Organic Wastes using Eisenia fetida and Studying its Effect on Crop Growth