Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
composting. Vermicomposts are excellent sources of biofertilizers and
their addition improves the physiochemical and biological properties of
agricultural soil. Vermicomposting amplifies the diversity and population
of beneficial microbial communities. Although there are some reports in-
dicating that few harmful microbes such as spores of Pythium and Fusar-
ium are dispersed by earthworms (Edwards and Fletcher 1988), the pres-
ence and amplification of antagonistic disease-suppressing and other plant
growth-promoting beneficial bacteria during vermicomposting out weigh
these harmful effects (Edwards and Fletcher 1988; Gammack et al. 1992;
Brown 1995). Vermicomposts with excellent physio-chemical properties
and buffering ability, fortified with all nutrients in plant available forms,
antagonistic and plant growth-promoting bacteria are fantabulous organic
amendments that act as a panacea for soil reclamation, enhancement of
soil fertility, plant growth, and control of pathogens, pests and nematodes
for sustainable agriculture.
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