Abstract

VERMICOMPOST IS BOON TO ENRICHMENT OF MICRONUTRIENT CONTENT IN SOIL

Indra Rautela*, Sakshi Rathore, Priya Chauhan, Priya Tapliyal and Manish Dev Sharma

Abstract

Vermicompost is organic manure, also called bio-manure, generally produced from agricultural and household waste products and contain adequate quantity of nutrients for growth. Such wastes are biodegradable and process of decomposing is accelerated with the help of worms such as Earthworms Eudrilus eugeniae. In the present study, three different types of agricultural wastes, wheat straw (V1), sugarcane waste (V2) and corn husk (V3), were taken as vermicompost material. The process was carried out in a plastic bin (30 x 20 cm), filled with cow dung and dry leaves. The plastic bin was sprinkled with water at regular intervals and proper aeration is provided to encourage proper breakdown of organic matter. The pH of vermicompost was found to be alkaline. Nutrients like Fe, Cu, Zn and Bo were found in trace amount while P and K were present in higher amount when compared with standard values whereas amount of Organic carbon was comparable with standard range.

Keywords: Eudrilus Eugeniae, Vermicompost, Wheat Straw, Sugarcane Waste, Corn Husk.