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Abstract

Vermicompost is a soil conditioner which improves crop growth and soil physicochemical characteristics. Currently, the nutrient status of vermicompost has been revealed to be enhanced by the addition of biochar. In the present study, biomass of Parthenium hysterophorus (15 days predecomposed) + cow dung (1:1, wt./wt.) was vermicomposted with biochar amendment at the rates of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8% utilizing Eudrilus eugeniae for 50 days. The resultant vermicompost was tested for its efficiency through seed germination assay, seedling growth, and chlorophyll content analysis. The germination percentage of maize was found to be higher in 4% biochar amendment followed by 6% biochar incorporated vermicompost (P<0.05%). Overall maize seedling showed variation in shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight in the vermicompost amended with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8% biochar; however, these attributes were higher in 4-6% biochar amended vermicompost of Parthenium biomass. Moreover, the chlorophyll content of maize seedlings showed increment proportionately with that of the biochar amendment.