CHAPTER 7 APPLICATION OF VERMICOMPOST ON PADDY 7.1. INTRODUCTION Several studies have examined the effect of vermicompost on growth and yield of vegetables in container growth media (kumar 1994). These studies showed that increase in growth and yield at low amounts of vermicompost in the potting medium could probably be due to improvement in the physicochemical properties of the container medium, increase in enzymatic activity, increase in microbial diversity and activity, nutritional factor and plant growth regulators (Arancon et al., 2004a; Tomati and Galli, 1995; Atiyeh et al., 2000). Results obtained from this experiments revealed that growth and yield parameters such as leaf area, dry shoot weights and weight of fruits were significantly affected by applying vermicompost. Arancon et al., (2004b) reported positive effects of vermicompost on the growth and yield in strawberry, espically increase leaf area, shoot dry weight and fruit weight in field conditions. Mishra et al., (2005) showed that vermicompost had beneficial effects on growth and yield of rice, especially caused significant increase many growth parameters, seeds germination, chlorophyll concentration and yield. Similar results were noted by Maynard (1995) who reported that tomato yields in field soil amended with compost were significant greater than those in the untreated plots. Goswani et al., (2001) reported that the addition of vermicompost at rates of 0, 20, 30 and 40 t ha - 1 to tomatoes cultivated in the field produced tomato yields of 114, 138, 163 and 192 t ha -1 respectively compared o 56 t ha -1 for inorganically fertilized plants. 85
The studies have revealed that vermicompost may be potential sources of nutrients for field crops if applied in suitable ratios with synthetic fertilizers. Also, vermicompost may contain some plant growth-stimulating substances.several workers have reported a positive effect of vermicompost application on growth and productivity of cereals and legumes (Benik and Bhebaruah, 2004; Suthar, 2006), ornamental and flowering plants (Kale et al., 1986; Nethra et al., 1999), vegetables (Edwards and Burrows; 1988; Atiyeh et al., 2000) etc. Atiyeh et al. (2001) concluded that vermicomposts, whether used as soil additives or as components of greenhouse bedding plant container media, have improved seed germination, enhanced seedling growth and development and increased overall plant productivity. 7.2. MATERIALS AND METHODS The rice variety ADT-36 was selected and the nursery beds were prepared 30 days before. Fifty cents of land was ploughed and divided into 5 small plots with size of about 2.5 X 2.0 meter. Paddy was transplanted into the above-mentioned seven plots and triplication was also maintained. The experiment was carried out for a period of sixty days and the following morphological parameters (root length, shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight of the plant, number of panicles, number of grains per panicles, weight of grains) were studied each fortnight. Plants were watered well and from the wet medium, ten plants in each treatment were removed the soil particles with the help of filter paper, the excess water was removed for the analysis. 86
7.3. RESULTS Effect of different Compost on the growth and yield of Orysa Sativa 7.3.1. ROOT LENGTH (cm) Figure 16 shows the length of the root increased gradually during the growth of the paddy. The maximum root length was recorded in 23.06±2.60 in EF/TP over control and other experiments, which was followed by EE/CA (19.98±3.00), EF/CA (18.48±0.67) and control. This is significant at (P<0.05) among treatments. -Control - EF/CA - EF/TP - EE/CA -EE/TP EE/CA - Eudrilus treated C.auriculata compost EE/TP - Eudrilus treated T.Purpurea compost EF/CA - Eisenia treated C.auriculata compost EF/TP - Eisenia treated T.Purpurea compost 87
7.3.2. SHOOT LENGTH (cm) The growth of shoot length was found to increase gradually in all the experiments (Fig-17). The maximum length of shoot among treatments was recorded in EF/TP (65.48±2.73), which was followed, by EE/CA (61.90±4.30), EF/CA (61.50±1.06), and control (16.0±0.38). Control plants had minimum growth in all experiments during all the stages of growth. Significant at (P<0.05) in 45 th and 60 th day, it was insignificant at 15 th and 30 th day among treatments. -EF/CA - EE/CA - EF/TP - EE/TP -Control EE/CA - Eudrilus treated C.auriculata compost EE/TP - Eudrilus treated T.Purpurea compost EF/CA - Eisenia treated C.auriculata compost EF/TP - Eisenia treated T.Purpurea compost 88
7.3.3. NO. OF LEAVES The number of leaves in each plant is given fig-18. The maximum number of leaves was found in EE/TP (13.80±0.83), which was followed by EE/CA (13.40±2.19), EF/TP (13.00±1.87), EF/CA (12.80±1.64) and control (9.60±0.54). The minimum number of leaves was recorded in plants in control plants. The statistical inference shows that there was a significant difference (P<0.05). -Control - EE/TP - EF/TP - EE/CA -EF/CA EE/CA - Eudrilus treated C.auriculata compost EE/TP - Eudrilus treated T.Purpurea compost EF/CA - Eisenia treated C.auriculata compost EF/TP - Eisenia treated T.Purpurea compost 89
7.3.4. FRESH AND DRY WEIGHT (g) The average fresh weight of the paddy in each treatment is given in fig-19. The maximum fresh weight of the plant was found in EU/CA (19.24±1.65), followed by EF/CA (18.41±1.85), EF/TP (18.03±0.89), EE/TP (17.95±0.86) and in control (12.81±0.72) during all stages of growth. Significant difference ( P<0.05) between treatments. -Control - EE/TP - EF/TP - EE/CA -EF/CA EE/CA - Eudrilus treated C.auriculata compost EE/TP - Eudrilus treated T.Purpurea compost EF/CA - Eisenia treated C.auriculata compost EF/TP - Eisenia treated T.Purpurea compost 90
The data on dry weight (fig-20) reveals that as in fresh weight the maximum dry weight was recorded in EE/TP (11.16±1.87), followed by EF/CA (10.51±1.69), EF/TP (10.06±1.07) EU/TP (9.89±0.83) and in control (3.98±0.46). The minimum dry weight was found in the plants grown in control plots. Significant difference among treatments (P<0.05). -Control - EE/TP - EF/TP - EE/TP -EF/CA EE/CA - Eudrilus treated C.auriculata compost EE/TP - Eudrilus treated T.Purpurea compost EF/CA - Eisenia treated C.auriculata compost EF/TP - Eisenia treated T.Purpurea compost 91
Average weight of 50 seeds (g) The average weight of 50 seeds is presented in figure 22. The maximum weight is in EF/TP 0.864 +0.004 followed by EF/CA 0.85 + 0.003, EE/TP 0.852 + 0.006, EE/CA 0.85 + 0.003. Minimum weight is seen in Control plots 0.804 + 0.009. The statistical analysis (ANOVA) of the weight of yield shows significant at (P<0.05) among the treatments. -Control - EF/CA - EF/TP - EE/CA -EE/TP EE/CA - Eudrilus treated C.auriculata compost EE/TP - Eudrilus treated T.Purpurea compost EF/CA - Eisenia treated C.auriculata compost EF/TP - Eisenia treated T.Purpurea compost 92
7.3.5 TOTAL WEIGHT OF YIELD (kg) The average weight of yield in each treatment is presented in Fig-4.6 and. Plants grown in EF/TP compost applied plots showed a maximum yield of 3.19±0.193 followed by EF/CA (2.79±0.185), EE/TP (2.74±0.198) and EE/CA (2.74±0.357). The yield of paddy was found to be minimum in the control plots. The statistical analysis (ANOVA) of the weight of yield shows significant at (P<0.05) among the treatments. -Control - EF/CA - EF/TP - EE/CA -EE/TP EE/CA - Eudrilus treated C.auriculata compost EE/TP - Eudrilus treated T.Purpurea compost EF/CA - Eisenia treated C.auriculata compost EF/TP - Eisenia treated T.Purpurea compost 93
Table 7 Shows the Percentage of yield of Paddy grains over control and in different compost systems. Parameters EF/TP EF/CA EE/TP EE/CA % of yield of Control 91.01 67.06 64.07 64.07 The percentage yield of O.Sativa in each treatment is presented in Table 7. Plants grown in EF/TP compost produced a maximum percentage of yield 91.01 % over control the EF/CA composted plans 64.07 % of yield and plants grown in EE/TP and EE/CA compost have same percentage of yield that is 64.07 % 94
7.4. DISCUSSION The length of the root increased steadily during the growth of plants. The maximum root length was recorded in Eisenia and Eudrilus compost over control and other experiments. The growth of shoot length also was found to increase gradually in all the experiments. The maximum length of shoot among treatments was recorded in (65.48, 61.90, 61.50 & 16.0) both Eudrilus and Eisenia composts respectively on 60 th day. Control plants had minimum growth in all experiments during all the stages of growth. Significant difference was observed in control. Nijhawan and Kanwar (1952) have observed similar results of increased root length than the control on application of earthworm compost to wheat. A similar effect in Salvia and Aster grow in the pots was observed by Grappelli et al., (1985). Increase in crop growth due to the transport of minerals and other compounds from deep down to the surface soil by the earthworms were found by Sharma (1986). In the present study, presence of cocoons and juveniles in the vermicompost may involve the transport of minerals and other compounds as described by Sharma (1986). Application of casts of P. alexandri showed significant increase in the length and weight of the shoot and root systems of the V.rosea and O.sativa. Reddy et al., (1994) found that the plant height and biomass of sorghum were significantly higher when applied with earthworm casts and soil mixture than soil alone. The results were in agreement with the findings of Asiegbu and Oikeh (1995). Application of 8-10 t/ha vermicompost tended to increased tuber diameter, number of stems/plant and chlorophyll level of potato plant (Bongkyoon, 2004). Kabir (1998) and Azad (2000) mentioned that the maximum number of loose leaves in cabbage plant was obtained when organic manures and inorganic fertilizers were used in 95
combination. Anwar et al. (2001) noted that application of N, P, K and S significantly increased the number of leaves/ plant of broccoli. The present study in paddy grown with vermicompost shows similar results (PLATE-5). The enhancement of plant growth by the earthworm might be attributed to physical and chemical condition of the soil (Neilson, 1965). Sharma et al., (1986) concluded the enhancement of root initiation, root elongation, root biomass and rooting percentage by the vermicompost. Zraherskii (1957) attributed the production of some pro-vitamin D by earthworms. Presence of some plant growth factors and group B vitamins in the coelomic fluid of the earthworms was observed by Gavrilov, (1962). Enhancement of soil structure and improvement in water holding capacity and porosity to facilitate root respiration and growth by vermicompost was reported by Lee (1992 singh 1987)). The maximum number of leaves was found to be at the end of the study in the plant grown in EE/TP and EE0/CA compost respectively. Similar results were observed by Nijhawan and Kanwar (1952) in wheat, Tomati et al., (1988) in Petunia, begonia and coleus, aster in pot culture studies and by Nethra et al., (1999) in China aster. The results showed that vermicompost performed the best response on growth of red amaranth plant. The results are in conformity with the findings of many workers in different crops (Tomar, et al. 1998 in brinjal and carrot; Saikia et. al.1998 in potato; Azad 2000 in cabbage and Bongkyoon 2004 in potato). The results are in partial agreement with the findings of different crops (Azad, 2000 in cabbage; Kadir, 2002 in broccoli; Anand and Krishnappa, 1988 in potato). Kale et al., (1994) have also reported that the significant increase in the colonization of the microbes (total microbes, nitrogen fixers, actinomyces and spores 96
formers) in the experimental plots, which received half the recommended dose of fertilizers and the vermicompost over control. The presence of increased number of bacterial population in the present study is in accordance with the above result. The soil nutrients and physical properties may be another reason for the maximum number of root nodules, Haimi and Huhta (1987) inferred that the vermicompost could be considered superior to conventional compost especially with regard to its physical make up. Improvement of physical properties cardinal to soil health result in better oxygen and waste supply to root system (Aina, 1984). Based on the results obtained by Chakrabarti et al., (1998). Vermicompost can be very well recommended as compost for container nursery. The plant roots could grow well coupled with increased microbial population and the number of nodules also enhanced significantly over the control due to the improved physical structure of vermicompost. A gradual increase in fresh weight of the plant was recorded in respect to root length and shoot length. Plants grown in EU/TP and EF/TP showed increase fresh weight. Likewise plants grown in Cassia auriculata compost exhibited more fresh weight at 60 th day. The data on dry weight reduced that as in fresh weight the maximum dry weight was recorded in all the four composts. Plants in Eudrilus compost showed in increase dry weight in 11.16 and 9.89 on 60 th day. Maximum dry weights of the plant in Eisenia compost were observed in 10.51 and 10.06 on 60 th day. The minimum dry weight was found in the plants grown in control plots significant difference between compost. The performance of the worm cast as a fertilizer in the nursery beds of paddy was observed by Kale and Bano (1986) and it was found that the seedlings showed 97
significant increase in growth in plots applied with worm cast and after transplantation the vegetative growth was influenced by the worm cast in a better way than that of the chemical fertilizers. This may be one of the reasons for an increased weight of the plant on fresh and dry weight basis. Shuxin et al., (1991) who studied the dry weight of the plant by applying worm cast in soybeans found that 40% to 70% increase due to the nutrient absorption by the plant and the nitrogen absorbed by the plants from soil was increased by 30 to 50%. Hence it is clear that the worm cast can boost the yield of the vegetative growth as well as the yield. Attribution for increased crop yield through decomposition of organic matter by earthworm increased nitrification was reported by Russel (1909). Graff and Makeschin (1980) observed that the yield influencing substances were released into the soil by L. terrrestris, A. caligonosa and E. fetida but did not speculate on the nature of the substances. The increased nutrient availability in the growth medium in vermicompost applied pots, may be the main reason for the maximum number of flowers in the present study, which was also supported by Kang et al., (1994) who studied the effect of worm casts prepared from agro forestry woody sp. Dactyladenia barteri, Glyricidia sepium, Leucana leucocephala, Senna stamea and Trechlia Africana, Nijhawan and Kanwar (1952) observed that application of earthworm compost to wheat crop increased the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and decreased the ph of the soil as compared to control. From the above validation, it can be concluded that the application of vermicompost could hasten the flowering of the plants, which leads to the increased production. Enhancement of the activity of selected microbes in the soil system be vermicompost application was found by Kale et al., (1998). Hence there was a high 98
level of total nitrogen in the experimental plot, which comparatively received less quantity of fertilizers Kale (1998 b) recommended the optimum amount of vermicompost without chemical fertilizers for some crops for optimum yield as 15 tons for tomato, 10 tons for brinjal and carrot, 8 tons for radish and coriander, 12 tons for bhendi and 3 tons for cowpea per acre. She 9180 stated that the combination of vermicompost with chemicals could reduce the amount of chemicals into half for filed application. Results of similar trends i.e. maximum record on applying vermicompost alone with recommended dose of chemical fertilizer in various crops were observed by various researchers, which agree with the present findings(sundara vadivel 1998). Increase in yield up to 40% and 36% due t the application of chemical fertilizer and vermicompost respectively over control has been reported by Gunjal and Nikam, (1992). Anwar et al.,(2001) found that application of vermicompost @ 10 tons/hectare along with recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus resulted in 55% increase in dry pod yield over the treatments receiving only recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus. The present study strongly agrees with the above results and it is concluded that the use of vermicompost will certainly enhance the yield of any crop besides enhancing the texture, color, taste and even of the agricultural product. The results suggested that the effects of vermicompost are more efficient than chemical fertilizers for the production of paddy. Bongkyoon (2004) reported that the effect of vermicompost application were favourable than the effects of the application of a chemical fertilizers. The findings are in partial agreement with many workers in different vegetable crops (Tomar et al., 1998 in brinjal and carrot; Saikia et. al. 1998 in potato; Azad 2000 in cabbage, Kadir 2002 in broccoli). 99
SUMMARY Investigations entitled study on the analysis and field application of vermicompost produced from different organic wastes by using vermiculture technology were carried and the salient features of the investigations are summarized and concluded in this chapter. Earthworms can have major influence on nutrient cycling processes in several ecosystems. By turning over large amounts of soil and organic matter, they can increase the rates of mineralization of organic matter converting organic forms of nutrients into inorganic forms that can be taken up by plants. Earthworms remove partially decomposed plant litter and crop residues from the soil surface, ingest it, fragment it and transport it to subsurface layers. Earthworms cannot increase the total amount of nutrients in the soil but can make them more available and they may increase the rate of nutrient cycling thereby increasing their availability. This investigation aimed to contribute towards the identification of a system for managing the utilization of two different leaf litter compost C.auriculata and T.purpurea for sustainable agriculture, with particular regards to two earthworm species like Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia fetida. The experimental research undertaken included composting and field studies. It focused on the characterization of the leaf litter compost the correlation of compost properties with crop parameters, the evaluation of compost microbial quality and the crop production following the short term compost application. Finally, vermiwash preparation, characterization and seed germination were also considered. 100
The research work undertaken added to the current knowledge regarding to the availability of nutrients following compost amendment. It demonstrated that properly managed leaf litter waste composts, can be utilized in agriculture leading to both agronomic and environmental benefits. Two different food substrates and two species of earthworms were evaluated for their effects on nutrients of vermicompost and associated microflora. The results indicated considerable increase in the nutrient status of vermicompost compared to their initial status. The vermicompost prepared from different substrates recorded more or less neutral ph of 6.75 to 7.83 with EC ranging from 0.95 to 1.42 ds/m. Organic carbon content of vermicompost ranged from 6.00 to 12.97 and available N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu have increased with the presence of earthworm as compared to the control. From the present study it is concluded that two plants T.purpurea and C.auriculata could be used as an effective medium for Vermiculture supplemented with cattle dung not only served as it a suitable medium for the growth and reproduction of the earthworms but also yielded a valuable biomanure for agriculture practices. Data on the physico-chemical analysis of wastes before and after treatments indicated that though T.purpurea (Kolingi) was ideal giving the highest microbial count and reproductive rate of the earthworms, Finally, the use of two different leaves waste T.purpurea and C.auriculata (Avaram and Kolingi) as raw material in the vermi composting systems can potentially help to convert these wastes into value added materials, and reduce the cost related to the exclusive use of different types of farm wastes as feeds for the earthworms. 101
The present study also reveals that the bacterial and fungal population of two different vermicompost were increased when compare to control the maximum microbial population was registered in the T.purpurea (kolingii) leaf litter compost than in C.auriculata (avaram) leaf compost. Similarly higher microbial load was found in the T.purpurea (kolingii )leaf litter vermi wash also. The differences in the feeding habit of the earthworms and nutrient content of the substrates might be suggested as causative factors for the difference in density of the microbial population. Furthermore the incidence of higher microbial density in the earthworm cast might be due to the cast being rich in ammonia and partially organic matter, which eventually formed a good medium for the growth of microorganisms. In the present study, paddy field studies showed significantly higher growth in root length, shoot length, number of leaf, wet weight and dry weight in experimental plots than control. The plants grown in EF/TP compost applied plots showed a maximum yield of 3.19 + 0.193 paddy grains. The higher growth of various plant characteristic in vermicomposted plants compared to control was not only because of the presence of greater amounts of most of the plant nutrients but also due to the presence of microbial metabolites, the plant growth promoting hormones like substances. Furthermore my study strongly concluded that the use of vermicompost will certainly enhance the yield of any crop besides enhancing the texture, colour, quality of the agricultural product.it is concluded that vermicomposting offers benefits such as enhanced soil fertility,increased agricultural productivity, and reduce ecological risk for a better environment. 102
Recommendations for further research In this research work the effects of a short term compost application on crop production was studied. The longer term effects of compost application need to be assessed, especially in terms of nutrient leaching potential in the soil. Long term studies of the effects of using biowaste and vegetable waste compost in agriculture are necessary for the development of the optimum system for managing the utilization of compost for sustainable agriculture, which will ensure the environmental risk is minimized and the agronomic benefit is maximized. 103