Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of vermicompost on soil fertility and crop productivity - beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

S. Manivannan*¹, M. Balamurugan¹, K. Parthasarathi¹, G. Gunasekaran¹ and L.S. Ranganathan²

¹Division of Vermibiotechnology, Department of Zoology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar- 608 002,India

²VLB Janakiammal College of Arts and Science, Kovaipudur, Coimbatore - 641 042, India

(Received: June 01, 2007; Revised received: September 14, 2007; Accepted: October 03, 2007)

Abstract: Field experiments were conducted at Sivapuri, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu to evaluate the efficacy of vermicompost, in comparison to inorganic fertilizers–NPK, on the physio-chemical and biological characteristics of the soils – clay loam soil (CLS) and sandy loam soil (SLS) and on the growth, yield and nutrient content of beans – Phaseolus vulgaris. Results showed that the application of vermicompost @ 5 tonnes ha^-1 had enhanced significantly the pore space (1.09 and 1.02 times), water holding capacity (1.1 and 1.3 times), cation exchange capacity (1.2 and 1.2 times). It reduced particles (1.2 and 1.2 times), and bulk density (1.2 and 1.2 times), pH (1 and 1.02 times) and electrical conductivity (1.4 and 1.2 times) and increased organic carbon (37 and 47 times), micro (Ca 3.07 and 1.9 times, Mg 1.6 and 1.6 times, Na 2.4 and 3.8 times, Fe 7 and 7.6 times, Mn 8.2 and 10.6 times, Zn 50 and 52 times and Cu 14 and 22 times) and macro (N 1.6 and 1.7 times, P 1.5 and 1.7 times, K 1.5 and 1.4 times) nutrients and microbial activity (1.4 and 1.5 times) in both soil types, particularly more in CLS. The growth, yield (1.6 times) and quality (protein (1.05 times) and sugar (1.01 times) content in seed) of bean were enhanced in CLS than SLS. On the other hand, the application of inorganic fertilizers @ 20:80:40 kg ha^-1 has resulted in reduced porosity (1.03 and 1.01 times), organic carbon (1.04 and 9.5 times) and microbial activity (1.02 and 1.03 times) in both soil types.

Key words: Clay loam soil, Sandy loam soil, Physico-chemical-biological properties, Nutrient contents, Vermicompost, Beans

PDF of full length paper is available with author (*sarosubamani@rediffmail.com)

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