Vermicompost Effects on Wheat Yield and Nutrient Contents in Soil and Plant

Abstract

Vermicomposting of organic waste can play an important role in integrated waste management strategies. Ability of the earthworm Eisenia foetida to transform anaerobically digested sewage sludge (SS) amended with hazelnut husk (HH) and cow manure (CM) in different proportions (0% SS + 50% HH + 50% CM; 10% SS + 45% HH + 45% CM; 20% SS + 40% HH + 40% CM; 30% SS + 35% HH + 35% CM; 40 SS% + 30% HH + 30% CM; 50% SS + 25% HH + 25% CM) was studied in a greenhouse experiment in terms of the effects of vermicompost on wheat (Triticum aestium) yield and nutrient content in soil and plant. All vermicomposted and non- vermicomposted mixtures exhibited positive effect on the yield and nutrient concentrations of wheat compared to the control pots. The vermicomposted organic waste mixtures showed comparatively better effect on plant production than the non- vermicomposted organic waste mixtures. Vermicomposted 50% SS + 25% HH + 25% CM mixtures showed the highest positive effect on yield compared to the other treatments. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.