Vermicomposting with rock powder increases plant growth

Souza, Maria Eunice Paula de; Carvalho, André Mundstock Xavier de; Jucksch, Ivo; Brown, G. G.; Mendonça, E. S.; Cardoso, Irene Maria

doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2013.01.016

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Various greenhouse and field studies have examined the effects of a variety of vermicomposts on a wide range of crops including cereals and legumes (Souzaa et al 2013;Chan and Griffiths 1988), vegetables (Doan et al 2013;Edwards and Burrows 1988;Atiyeh et al 2000a), ornamental and flowering plants (Edwards and Burrows 1988;Atiyeh et al 2000b) and field crops (Najar and Khan 2013a;Bhattacharya et al 2012;Wu et al 2012;Valdez-Péreza et al 2011). Most of these investigations have confirmed that vermicomposts usually have significant beneficial effects on plant growth and yield.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of macrophyte vermicompost on growth and productivity of brinjal (Solanum melongena) under field conditions

Najar

Khan

Hai

2015

Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult

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Background Macrophytes (fresh water plants) comprise a diverse group of the flora which play important roles in the maintenance of trophic food chains and biogeochemical processes, but are deleterious when present in excess. However, due to various anthropogenic activities, there is accumulation of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems resulting in massive macrophytic growth. These weeds do not possess any economic value and remain laid on lake shores after harvesting and become a source of odor problem, thus posing a challenge to the lake management authorities regarding their proper disposal. However, vermicomposting turns these macrophytes into materials useful in horticulture/agriculture for restoration of soil fertility, in addition to providing a solution to the nuisance of harvested weeds. Results The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different rates (2, 4 and 6 t/ha) of macrophyte-based vermicompost on germination, growth and yield of Solanum melongena under field conditions. The data revealed that different rates of vermicompost produced varied and significant effect (P \ 0.05) as compared to the control on germination, growth and yield parameters with maximum value recorded at 6 t/ha, followed by 4 t/ha and the least at 2 t/ha. The dose of 6 t/ha significantly (P \ 0.05) increased germination (22.56 ± 2.5 %), number of fruits per plant (3.55 ± 0.07) mean fruit weight (73 ± 5.0 g), yield per plant (1.48 ± 0.05 kg) and marketable fruits (28.66 ± 3.0 %) when compared with the control. The study suggests that macrophyte-based vermicompost as a potential source of plant nutrients for sustainable crop production. Conclusion Macrophyte-based vermicompost is an efficient quality yielder and economy enhancer for sustainable agriculture especially for the communities having vegetable gardens around lakes will benefit by using macrophyte vermicompost, a balanced and low-cost organic fertilizer.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of macrophyte vermicompost on growth and productivity of brinjal (Solanum melongena) under field conditions

Najar

Khan

Hai

2015

Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult

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“…Application of enriched vermicompost prepared from gneiss and steatite powder also resulted in a higher growth and yield than plants grown in Oxisol with non-enriched vermicompost. Further, vermicompost enriched with steatite powder increased the dry matter yield of maize by 21.5% in comparison to applying non-enriched vermicompost and steatite alone to the soil (de Souza et al 2013). Apart from improving plant growth parameters, soil K content was also improved by 447 inoculation of bacterial strain.…”

Section: Pot Trials 430mentioning

confidence: 96%

Bio-Intervention of Naturally Occurring Silicate Minerals for Alternative Source of Potassium

Basak

Sarkar

Biswas

et al. 2017

Advances in Agronomy

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Soil needs simultaneous replenishment of various nutrients to maintain its inherent fertility status 22 under extensive cropping systems. Replenishing soil nutrients with commercial fertilizer is 23 costly. Among various fertilizers, deposits of potassium (K) ore suitable for the production of 24 commercial K fertilizer (KCl) are distributed in few northern hemisphere countries (Canada, 25 Russia, Belarus and Germany) which control more than 70% of the world's potash market. Naturally occurring minerals, particularly silicate minerals, could be used as a source of K, but not as satisfactorily as commercial K fertilizers. In this context, bio-intervention (in combination with microorganisms and/or composting) of silicate minerals has been found quite promising to improve plant K availability and assimilation. This is an energy efficient and environmentally friendly approach. Here we present a critical review of existing literature on direct application of silicate minerals as a source of K for plant nutrition as well as soil fertility enhancement by underpinning the bio-intervention strategies and related K solubilization mechanisms. An advancement of knowledge in this field will not only contribute to a better understanding of the complex natural processes of soil K fertility, but also help to develop a new approach to utilize natural mineral resources for sustainable and environmental friendly agricultural practices.

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“…The use of organic waste enriched with rock powders is, therefore, an alternative to conventional inorganic fertilizers. Higher densities of worms and increases in maize growth and biomass after vermicomposting with gneiss and steatite powders have been observed (Souza et al 2013). However, these rock powders can be rich in heavy metals, such as Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn, which may impair their use in agriculture, as the metals could become available to plants (Souza et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gneiss and steatite vermicomposted with organic residues: release of nutrients and heavy metals

Souza

Cardoso

Carvalho

et al. 2019

Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult

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Purpose Use of silicate rock powders as fertilizer improves nutrient cycling, thus benefitting agriculture. The availability of nutrients to plants is often low, but can be increased when rock powder is vermicomposted and added. However, these powders can be rich in heavy metals, which may impair their use. We evaluated maize growth and heavy metals in plants and soil after fertilization with vermicomposted gneiss or steatite powders. Method Vermicompost was prepared with cattle manure, with or without gneiss or steatite powders. The experimental units were kept in the dark at room temperature for 70 days. Subsequently, a greenhouse experiment was carried out with maize grown in highly weathered oxisol soil and fertilized with vermicompost alone, or with gneiss or steatite powder. Results A small proportion of heavy metals was immobilized in the earthworm bodies, but did not hinder their growth. Maize growth was superior in the treatment with vermicomposted gneiss powder. The gneiss-enriched treatment contributed to increased Zn concentration in plants and may also be an alternative to Zn fertilization. High Ni and Cr concentrations in steatite powder apparently induced higher levels of these elements in plants. However, metal concentrations in the soil after cultivation in all the treatments were below acceptable limits. Conclusion Increased plant growth in gneiss-enriched vermicompost suggests the possibility of using this material to enrich vermicompost with nutrients, thus improving the chemical quality of organic fertilizer. Use of steatite powder in agriculture deserves further investigation.

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Vermicomposting with rock powder increases plant growth

Cited by 29 publications

References 18 publications

Effect of macrophyte vermicompost on growth and productivity of brinjal (Solanum melongena) under field conditions

Effect of macrophyte vermicompost on growth and productivity of brinjal (Solanum melongena) under field conditions

Bio-Intervention of Naturally Occurring Silicate Minerals for Alternative Source of Potassium

Gneiss and steatite vermicomposted with organic residues: release of nutrients and heavy metals

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