Nitrogen Dynamics of Vermicompost Use in Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

Vermicomposting is a process where worms are used to transform organic waste products into fertilizers for agricultural use and as soil amendments to improve soil health. Vermicompost is used in agriculture as both an organic fertilizer and a soil amendment due to its large biological component and abundant nutrient concentrations, in particular nitrogen (N). Vermicomposts promote soil microbial biodiversity by inoculating the soil with a wide array of beneficial microbes, which can enhance plant growth by the production of plant growth-regulating hormones and enzymes while also controlling plant pathogens and nematodes, all of which can minimize crop yield losses. Current and historical studies have evaluated many vermicompost types for their ability to increase crop growth, development, and fruit quality across a wide range of field and greenhouse crops. Many of these studies conclude that crop response to vermicompost can meet or exceed crop response to conventional rates of synthetic fertilizers. Vermicompost use has therefore been increasingly considered in conventional and organic agricultural systems as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers to decrease N losses. However, it is difficult to determine the short and long-term effects to soil N cycling with increased vermicompost use in agriculture. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the influence of vermicompost on N dynamics in laboratory and agricultural settings. In particular, the physical, chemical and biological means of N cycle alteration following vermicompost use is examined, with emphasis on the ability of vermicomposts to influence N leaching. We find conflicting results regarding the influence of vermicomposts on soil N dynamics, in particular the influence of vermicompost on soil N flux over short and long time scales. We find evidence for both soil N retention and leaching with vermicompost use, largely contingent on rate of application and vermicompost type.The differences in chemical, biological and physical properties between vermicompost types along with a wide range of recommended rates of application may pose problems for large-scale adaptation of vermicompost use in commercial agriculture. It is important to determine a proper "goldilocks" rate of vermicompost amendment for crop systems that supports high crop yield while minimizing N leaching. We conclude that much research still needs to be performed in laboratory and field settings to study N dynamics with vermicomposts.

Mitigation of Salinity Combined with Vermicompost on Growth, Antioxidant Enzymes and Macro Nutritional Changes in Solanum melongena L.

“…According to Belliturk et al (2015), Vermicomposting is a natural fertilizer that can prevent a number of plant diseases and increase crop productivity, quality and soil humus content. By introducing a variety of advantageous bacteria into the soil, the vermicompost was like soil conditioner, plant development medium and to improve soil microbial biodiversity (Broz et al, 2016).…”

Indicadores de calidad para posturas microinjertadas de Theobroma cacao inoculadas con hongos micorrízicos arbusculares

“…El empleo de técnicas agroecológicas como el uso de abonos orgánicos y biofertilizantes constituyen alternativas para la nutrición de las plantas (Martín Alonso et al, 2014) y así lograr una agricultura resilente (Le Mire et al, 2016;Mahanty et al, 2017). Se ha encontrado que la adición del humus de lombriz a los suelos y a los sustratos, incrementa el crecimiento y la productividad de Solanum lycopersicum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Zea mays L., entre otros (Veobides Amador et al, 2018), mediante la mejora significativa en las propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas de los mismos y su acción bioestimuladora sobre el crecimiento de las plantas, mediante la producción de fitohormonas (Broz et al, 2016).…”

“…En Cuba, su cultivo se concentra en la región oriental, debido a las características edafoclimáticas de zonas con suelos friables y altas precipitaciones anuales (1700 -2500 mm), el 68 % de las plantaciones del país y el 80 % de la producción, se ubican en el municipio de Baracoa, de la provincia de Guantánamo (Suárez et al, 2013).En el estudio de la cadena productiva del cacao (Selva-Hernández et al, 2015) en las provincias cacaoteras de Cuba (Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín y Granma), se definieron los factores limitantes que provocan los bajos rendimientos en el cultivo, dentro de los que se destacaron, la despoblación de las plantaciones por mal manejo, baja producción y baja calidad de posturas, poco uso de fertilizantes orgánicos (3,60 % abonos verdes, 31 % compost), poca disponibilidad de documentación técnica sobre el establecimiento y manejo de viveros y plantaciones, entre otras.El empleo de técnicas agroecológicas como el uso de abonos orgánicos y biofertilizantes constituyen alternativas para la nutrición de las plantas (Martín Alonso et al, 2014) y así lograr una agricultura resilente (Le Mire et al, 2016;Mahanty et al, 2017). Se ha encontrado que la adición del humus de lombriz a los suelos y a los sustratos, incrementa el crecimiento y la productividad de Solanum lycopersicum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Zea mays L., entre otros (Veobides Amador et al, 2018), mediante la mejora significativa en las propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas de los mismos y su acción bioestimuladora sobre el crecimiento de las plantas, mediante la producción de fitohormonas (Broz et al, 2016).La cáscara de cacao es otro de los abonos orgánicos utilizados, que constituye un subproducto originado del procesamiento de sus frutos, que se acumulan en grandes cantidades en las áreas de cultivo. La misma posee características positivas, que la hacen idónea para la producción de posturas, como la alta capacidad de retención de…”

Enhancements of Residual Soil Properties Using Vermicompost and Inoculant Strains in Low-Fertility Sandy Soil

“…In another way, during vermicomposting, earthworms physically fragment the substrate leading to new nutrient pools and large surface area which provides nutrients in forms that are readily taken up by the plants such as nitrates, exchangeable P, and soluble K, Ca, and Mg (Manivannan et al, 2009). Application of vermicompost built-up soil organic carbon, improve nutrient status, microbial activities, microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activities (Ilker and Ismsil, 2014;Broz et al, 2016). In addition, vermicompost are rich in microbial populations and diversity, particularly fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes (Broz et al, 2016).…”

“…Application of vermicompost built-up soil organic carbon, improve nutrient status, microbial activities, microbial biomass carbon and enzymatic activities (Ilker and Ismsil, 2014;Broz et al, 2016). In addition, vermicompost are rich in microbial populations and diversity, particularly fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes (Broz et al, 2016).…”