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Vermicomposting of Different Wastes and Its Effect on Yield of Red Amaranth

M. W. Zaman
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M. M. Rahman
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

I. M. Shariful
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali

M. S. Islam
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M. N. Uddin
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Vermicompost was prepared from different wastes and their nutrient status was assessed. The effect of vermicompost on the yield of red amaranth was studied. Nine vermibeds were prepared for composting and Perionyx excavatus earthworm was selected for vermicomposting. Earthworms @ 40 and 60 bed^-1 were added into vermibeds for vermicompost I and II, respectively and reared for seven days with waste materials. Vermicompost-II (@ 60 earthworm bed^-1) contained high organic matter, less C:N ratio, high cation exchange capacity and higher amount of nutrient such as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na and B as compared to vermicompost-I (@ 40 earthworm bed^-1) and compost without earthworm. A field experiment was conducted to response the prepared vermicompost against compost without earthworm and cowdung + recommended doses of chemical fertilizers on the fresh yield of red amaranth. Highest fresh yield (7.0 t ha^-1) of red amaranth was recorded at vermicompost-II followed by cowdung in combination with chemical fertilizer (6 t ha^-1 yield), vermicompost-1 (5 t ha^-1 yield) and compost without earthworm (4 t ha^-1 yield). Vermicompost-II prepared out of 60 earthworms bed^-1 was found superior to other composts. It may be concluded that there is a considerable potentiality to maximize the use of vermicompost for obtaining increased yield and to reduce unnecessary usage of chemical fertilizers as an attempt towards organic farming.

Keywords: Vermicompost, Earthworm, Vermibeds, Organic farming

Location: Agronomy field laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mynensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Amaranth

Objectives:

1. The present study has thus been accomplished for vermicompost preperation from different wastes using eco-friendly earthworm (Perionyx excavatus) and its impact on the growth and yield of red amaranth.

Methodology:

Household wastes were collected from residential area of Bangladesh Agricultural University. Crop residues and rice straw were collected from the agronomy field laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mynensingh. Local epigenic Perionyx excavatus earthworm was collected from the village of Baira. The earthworms were reared in the departmental net house using the wooden box (60cm x 45cm x 45cm) filled with soil, cowdung and different types of wastes to make stock culture for preparation of vermicompost. Each of six prepared vermibeds was inoculated with earthworms from the stock culture of the epigeic Perionyx excavatus using 40 earthworms in sample-I and 60 earthworms in sample-II with three replications and another sample is without earthworms. After 5 to 7 days when casting begins, each of the beds was loaded with about 5 kg of different wastes for the consumption of the earthwonns to produce vermicompost. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and five treatments viz. T₀ - Control (No vermicompost and chemical fertilizers), T₁- Compost (5 t ha^-1) without earthworm, T₂ - Cowdung (5 t ha^-1), T₃ - 2.5 t ha^-1 cowdung + 150 kg ha^-1 urea + 130 kg ha^-1 TSP + 110 kg ha^-1 MOP, T₄ -vermicompost-I and T₅– vermicompost-II. Vermicompost, cowdung and chemical fertilizers for field experiment were applied to the individual plot and were mixed thoroughly 3 days before seed sowing. As a vegetable crop red amaranth was harvested at elevated vegetative growth stage. The crop was harvested with roots and cleaning was done properly by hand. Total fresh yield (kg plot^-1) was recorded and yield was converted into t ha^-1. The chemical analysis of soil, fresh waste materials, composted sample and vermicompost were done in the Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Organic carbon and organic matter of the soil and composted samples were estimated by the wet oxidation method by Walkey and Black. The organic matter content was calculated by multiplying the percent organic carbon with van Bemmelen conversion factor l.724. The total N was determined by Kjeldahl method. The concentration of P, S and B were determined by spectrophotometric method. Na and K were determined directly with the help of flame emission spectrophotometer (Jenway PFP 7). Ca and Mg were determined by EDTA titrimetric method. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) was determined from soil and compost samples as outlined by Black. Statistical analyses of variance (ANOVA) were done with the help of a computer package MSTAT.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 3(1): 191-195, 2010; ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Highest fresh yield (7.0 t ha^-1) of red amaranth was recorded at vermicompost-II followed by cowdung in combination with chemical fertilizer (6 t ha^-1 yield), vermicompost-1 (5 t ha^-1yield) and compost without earthworm (4 t ha^-1 yield). Vermicompost-II prepared out of 60 earthworms bed^-1 was found superior to other composts. It may be concluded that there is a considerable potentiality to maximize the use of vermicompost for obtaining increased yield and to reduce unnecessary usage of chemical fertilizers as an attempt towards organic farming.

Knowledge Management: Journal