Purpose The present research was conducted with the objective of exploring the vermicomposting process, which involves different stages such as building of a vermicompost station; import of a compost earthworm (Eisenia foetida); and production of vermicompost using dry grass clippings, rice straw and cow manure. The vermicompost produced can be of significant value to the end users like farmers for replacement of chemical fertilizers and procuring better prices for the organic produce using such composting material locally available at much lower cost. Methods Vermicomposting was done using Eisenia foetida with three treatments [T1 (Rice straw), T2 (Rice straw + grass) and T3 (Grass)]. Temperature, humidity and pH were measured during the process. The population of earthworms, the production of vermicompost, and the chemical and microbial characteristics of the vermicompost were recorded after sixty (60) days and hundred twenty (120) days. The data were analyzed statistically using Sigma Plot 12.0. Results Results indicated that for all the three treatments the temperature was in the range of 0-35 °C, the humidity was between 80 and 100% and the pH fluctuated in the range of 5.5-7.0 and stabilized to near neutral on the 60th day. The combination of rice straw and grass had the highest rate of vermicompost production of 105 kg/m 2 followed by grass and rice straw with 102.5 kg/m 2 and 87 kg/m 2, respectively, at the end of 120 days. Conclusion The harvested vermicompost had an excellent nutrient status, confirmed by the chemical analyses, and contained all the essential macro-and micronutrients.

Abstract. Ramnarain YI, Ori L, Ansari AA. 2017. Evaluation of the use of vermicompost on the crop production of two varieties of Pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) and on the soil structure in Suriname. Asian J Agric 1: 73-79. The present research was carried out from January to May 2016 at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Paramaribo. The investigation consisted of a field and laboratory study in order to evaluate the effect of vermicompost on crop production of 2 varieties Brassica rapa var. chinensis, white and green Pak choi, nutrient availability in the soil after the use of vermicompost and nutrient value of the crop.The experiment was carried out (Completely Randomized Block Design) in a greenhouse for six weeks. The treatments were vermicompost (V), cow manure (S), chemical fertilizer (K) and control (C). Plant growth parameters were recorded during the experiment (plant height and number of leaves) and after harvest (root and shoot biomass, leaf area). Nutrient analysis (Ca and Fe) of Pak choi was also conducted followed by pre and post experiment soil analysis (pH, EC, TOC, N, P, K and C/N ratio). The results were collected and analyzed using Sigma Plot 12.0 tools. In the white Pak choi, the number of leaves, root length and weight of fresh plants showed no significant differences among the four treatments using Tukey's test (P≤0.05). In the green Pak choi the number of leaves and root length showed no significant differences among the four treatments by Tukey's test (P≤0.05). Furthermore, the soil parameters (pH, OC, N) did not indicate a significant increase or decrease of the elements in the soil. P did decrease significantly and K increase in the treatments in the soil was not relevant. The evaluation of the use of vermicompost on the crop production of 2 varieties of Pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) proved that the plants treated with vermicompost had similar results as those treated with cow manure and chemical fertilizer.

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