Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
1991). An increase in total microbial activity takes place in fields receiving vermicompost (Kale
et al. 1992; Nair et al. 1997).
Vermicomposts have been used as a rooting medium and for establishment of saplings in
nurseries (Vadiraj et al. 1993). Anand et al. (1995) reported improved germination and seedling
growth of tomatoes in a medium treated with vermicompost extracts. Vermicompost extracts and
earthworm body fluids (vermiwash) have been used as media for root induction in two varieties of
carnation. The responses of cuttings to these fluids were better than observed with synthetic growth
promoter indole butyric acid (IBA) solution (Ashwini, personal communication 2003).
EARTHWORM/MICROBIAL INTERACTIONS
Another field of interest in vermiculture is microbial and earthworm interactions. The dietary
composition (organic waste used) contributes to the nature of the microflora associated with
earthworm activity. Addition of neem cake (2%) to organic wastes before feeding them to earth-
worms increased N-fixing microbial populations in the recovered vermicompost (Kale et al. 1986).
A change in microbial populations was observed in earthworm-worked pressmud (Parthasarathy
et al. 2001). Rajani (2001) used microbial density and enzyme activity as tools to measure the
effectiveness of the process of vermicomposting. It is essential to carry out in-depth studies on the
functional role of microorganism associated with earthworms on crop responses at different stages
of development. An increase in the actinomycetes population has been observed in the gut region
of earthworms. Different cellulolytic and P-solubilizing organisms belonging to this group have
been studied. Stimulatory effects on plant growth by some of these isolates were tested in pot
cultures of tomato and fingermillet (Raghavendra Rao 2001). Thus, microbial earthworm associa-
tions are an essential contributory factor in quality determination of vermicomposts. Incorporation
of 12.5% rock phosphate to agricultural wastes (stubbles) with 10% cow dung and introduction of
earthworms after 45 to 60 days of initial decomposition enhanced the population growth of
phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms by 90 days. The response of French beans to applications
of the derived vermicompost was equivalent to the control, which received the recommended
chemical fertilizers at level of 7.5 to 10 t/ha (Trimurthy 2002).
In general, research on vermiculture and vermicomposting is leading toward appreciation of
some of the finer aspects that add to other benefits derived from vermiculture. With the transfer of
the technology from laboratory to land and the role of nongovernmental organizations in liaisons
between academic institutions and private entrepreneurs, vermiculture and vermicompost produc-
tion is very effective in reviving organic farming in the country.
REFERENCES
Anand, J.A., M.D.P. Wilson, and R.D. Kale. 1995. Effect of ÑVermiwashÒ on seed germination and seedling
growth,
J. Soil Biol. Ecol
., 15:90Ï95.
Appelhof, M. 1994. Vermicomposting School Lunchroom Waste Utilizing
Eisenia fetida
, abstract presented
at ISSE5, Columbus, OH, U.S.A.
Arellano, R.P., I. Barois, and E. Arand. 1994. Earthworm Carrying Capacity for Coffee Pulp Using
Eisenia
andrei
and
Perionyx excavatus
, abstract presented at ISSE5, Columbus, OH, U.S.A.
Atlavinyte, O. and J. Daciulyte. 1969. The effects of earthworms on the accumulation of vitamin B
12
in soil,
Pedobiologia
, 9:165Ï170.
Atlavinyte, O. and J. Vanagas. 1982. The effect of earthworms on the quality of barley and rye grain,
Pedobiologia
, 23:256Ï262.
Atlavinyte, O. and A. Zimkuviene. 1985. The effect of earthworms on the barley in the soil of various density,
Pedobiologia
, 28:305Ï310.
