International Research Journal of Biological Sciences ___________________________________ ISSN 2278-3202Vol. 3(12), 56-61, December (2014) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 56 Impact of addition of Vermicompost on Vegetable Plant Growth V. Dhanalakshmi, K. M. Remia, R. Shanmugapriyan and K. Shanthi Department of Zoology, N.G.M College, Pollachi – 642001, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 21st August 2014, revised 3rd October 2014, accepted 28th November 2014Abstract Effect of addition of vermicompost on the vegetable plant growth was evaluated. The percentage of seed germination was 96.74, 84.32 and 92.35 percentage when the seeds of okra, brinjal and chilli were planted in 50 percentage vermicompost containing soil. Higher percentage seed germination of tomato was recorded in 75 percentage vermicompost containing soil. Significant early germination of 4.53 and 4.77 days was recorded, when the seeds of okra and brinjal sowed in the vermicompost incorporated soil. Increased root and shoot length was registered when the seeds were sown in 50 percentage vermicompost containing soil. Root length of okra was 7.07, 9.13, 13.03 cm and chilli was 5.80, 7.60, 10.90 cm attained at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting when treated with 50 percentage vermicompost containing soil. The shoot length of okra, chilli, brinjal and tomato was ranged from 33.47 to 61.50 cm and from 29.57 to 66.60 cm and from 47.27 to 81.40 cm and from 51.67 to 95.73 cm. The influence of vermicompost on branch and leaf number was high when compared to untreated control. The branch number of okra, chilli, brinjal and tomato were ranged from 4.00 to 8.00 cm, 11.67 to 19.67 cm, 9.33 to 18.33 cm and 14.00 to 19.33 cm, respectively. The leaf number was recorded as 14.00, 27.33, 17.33 and 17.00 cm in okra, chilli, brinjal and tomato when planted in vermicompost mixed soil. Keywords: Vermicompost, Germination.Introduction Proliferation of industrial concerns and other anthropogenic activities in recent years have increased the concentration of different pollutants in various ecosystems causing environmental degradation. Huge amount of waste water is produced in the cities due to increasing population. Indiscriminate disposal of such sewage and industrial waste water causes soil and water pollution. However, the waste water has been used in agriculture as a source of irrigation. In recent years, emphasis on use of organic manures like fly ash manure, sewage sludge and urban compost in crop production has assumed increased importance due to pressure on organic agriculture. The value of vermicompost as an organic manure has been well recognized for utilizing in agriculture as it contains valuable nutrients, inorganic form besides being a very effective soil ameliorant. Composting is one of the best methods of recycling to improve soil fertility and reduce the environmental pollution. Biodegradable wastes were used in vegetable cultivation without much processes and restore soil fertility as they have a large nutrient value3,4. Nowadays deficiencies in soil organic matter and reduced yield of crop are alarming problem. The Krishnan Anaikattu Kulam (KAK pond) situated in Pollachi (Coimbatore district in Tamilnadu, India) was polluted with discharge of domestic and industrial wastes from the town. The soil of the pond was also loaded with excess amount of pollutants from the wastes and unable for human use. The farmers of nearby area were using the pond soil for organic cultivation. Limited studies were done for the evaluation on the impact of vermicompost on vegetable plant growth. Hence a study was conducted on the evaluation of impact on incorporated vermicompost with polluted pond soil on vegetable plant growth. Material and Methods Soil was collected from the KAK pond and dried under shade to amend with vermicompost. Different ratios of soil and vermicompost were prepared and divided into four groups. The physico-chemical parameters of the amended soil were analyzed6 (table - 1). Control Pond Soil T 1 1 kg of soil + 250 gm of vermicompost (25%) T 2 1 kg of soil + 500 gm of vermicompost (50%) T 3 1 kg of soil + 750 gm of vermi compost (75%) T4 1kg of soil + 1000 gm of vermicompost (100%) Seeds of Okra, Brinjal, Chilli and Tomato were purchased from seed sales depot. of Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The experiments were conducted by filling various percentages of vermicompost concentrations separately in a pot (12”height and 10”diameter). 10 healthy seeds from each plant variety were sown in different pots and watered regularly. Five replications were maintained for each treatment. Observations were recorded on percentage germination, germination period and root length, shoot length, number of branches, number of leaves and yield after for 30, 60 and 90 days after planting. The results were recorded by using centimeter scale and counting method and statistically analyzed. Research Journal of Chemical Sciences _______________________________________________________ ISSN 2231-606X Vol. 3(12), 56-61, December (2014) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 57 Results and Discussion Seed Germination: The influence of vermicompost on the germination of different vegetable crops was revealed that the maximum germination of 96.74, 84.32 and 92.35% were noticed in okra, brinjal and chilli with the treatment T and the minimum germination was noticed as 80.6, 68.63 and 75.72% in control plants. In tomato plant, maximum germination of 97.78 % was observed at treatment T3 and the minimum of 60.25% in control treatment. The values were found to be statistically significant (table-2). 100 percentage seed germination observed in groundnut when seeds were planted in 10 kg soil containing 200 gm of vermicompost. 71.42 and 88.00 percentage of seed germination registered when the seeds of soybean and urad were planted in the soil containing vermicompost. The result of the present study showed that early germination was noticed in okra (4.53 days), and tomato (4.77 days) in T treatment, whereas in brinjal (7.50 days) and chilli plant (7.27 days) in Tand T3 treatments, respectively. The germination period of control plants varied from 6.03 to 8.87 days in okra, brinjal, tomato and chilli. Vermicompost influences seed germination, chlorophyll concentration and yield. 46.60% of seed germination was recorded in guva when vermicompost and plant growth promoting bacteria is added with soil10. Root and Shoot Length: The maximum root length of okra was 7.07, 9.13, 13.03 cm and chilli was 5.80, 7.60, 10.90 cm noticed in the T vermicompost concentration at 30, 60, 90 days of exposure. Incorporation of vermicompost at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 % along with the base medium resulted increase of plant height and lateral shoot length11. Vermicompost incorporated soil and potting substrates has enhanced plant growth12 In brinjal and tomato the maximum root length was 6.97, 9.47, 13.37 cm and 8.77, 12.00, 15.30 cm while treating with Tvermicompost (table-3). The maximum shoot length was recorded in okra and chilli as 33.47, 46.58, 61.50, 29.57, 38.93 and 66.60 cm in T vermicompost concentration (table - 4). When H. sabdariffa and P. anrens seeds were planted in the soil containing 10 % vermiwash resulted in increase root and hypocotyls length13. In brinjal the maximum shoot length was 47.27, 61.70, 81.40 cm and in tomato it was 51.67, 74.53, 95.73 cm were noticed in T vermicompost concentration after 30, 60 and 90 day of planting (table - 4). The plant growth parameters such as root and shoot length, leaf and flower numbers were attained maximum only when treated with 75 percentage vermicompost concentration14. The maximum branch number was noticed in the plants like red gram and okra grown in 50 percentage vermicompost concentrations at 30, 60 and 90 days period of exposure. Incorporation of earthworm compost increased plant growth, expansion of thickness of stem with more flowers in marigold15. Branch and Leaf Number: The influence of vermicompost on branch number study revealed that in okra the maximum numbers were 4.00, 6.00, 8.00 and in chilli the maximum numbers were 11.67, 15.67, 19.67 were noticed in Tvermicompost concentration at 30, 60 and 90 days of exposure period respectively (table - 5). This is correlated with the findings of Pathak et al., (2013). They found increased number of leaves in guva while incorporating phospho bacteria with vermicompost10. Plant vigour, leaf number, length and breath, stem length and breath, weight of the plant, percentage of dry matter of plant and yield in red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) when it was exposed to 10 tons of vermicompost in combination with 100% of NPK16. In brinjal and tomato the maximum branch number was noticed as 9.33, 13.33, 18.33 and 14.00, 17.67, 19.33 after 30, 60 and 90 days when planted in Tvermicompost concentration. The influence of vermicompost on leaf number study revealed that the maximum leaf number in okra 9.00, 13.00, 14.00 and in chilli 17.33, 22.33 and 27.33 were noticed in T concentration. Addition of vermicompost from 10 to 60 percentages along with base medium resulted in increased number of leaves and stem diameter in marigold, Calendula officinalis13. In brinjal and tomato the maximum leaf number of 11.67, 17.00, 17.33 and 9.33, 12.33, 17.00 were noticed in T vermicompost concentration at 30, 60 and 90 days of exposure (table - 6). Positive impact on quantitative morphology of different crops using different vermicompost17,18. Application of vermicompost increases the leaf yield19. Amplification of grain and straw yield due to conjunctive use of sewage sludge and urban compost alone are in conformity with the earlier findings in paddy20, 21 In the present study okra and chilli recorded maximum leaf and branch numbers in T2 and brinjal and tomato in T vermicompost concentration when compared to control plants. Yield: The influence of vermicompost on fruit numbers revealed that in okra the maximum of 5.33 was observed in Tand minimum in control plant as 2.00 (table - 7). The present findings were comparable with the earlier research reports22. Improvement of yield is possibly due to plant growth regulators released by the microbes and humates of vermicompost23, 24. Application of vermicompost showed improved soil fertility, greater uptake of nutrients and yield25 Various vermicompost in different concentrations had positive impact on the growth of tomato as compared with the seedlings of control in which no vermicompost as well as fertilizer was added26. Amendment of vermicompost with sheep manure assisted better juice production in tomato27. Growth in 100 % vermicompost is usually less than in substitution rate of 20-40%. This can be partially explained by possibilities for large amount of inorganic salts in 100 % vermicompost28. Present results also supported the above views that in T concentration the growth rate was minimized when compared to other concentrations. Higher growth percentage of wheat, paddy and sugarcane achieved when vermicompost incorporated with soil17,29-31,. Conclusion The present study proved that the majority of yield parameter was noticed maximum in T2 and T3 vermicompost concentration. It could be suggested that the better yield in all the plants tested may Research Journal of Chemical Sciences _______________________________________________________ ISSN 2231-606X Vol. 3(12), 56-61, December (2014) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 58 be due to the influence of combined effect of various ingredients of vermicompost such as macro and micro nutrients and plant growth hormones. In T2 concentration the plants like okra and chilli performed well both in germination and growth parameters. In yield parameter the chilli performed little higher in T3 concentration, whereas brinjal and tomato showed maximum germination and growth in T vermicompost concentration. Hence, it is concluded that the addition of vermicompost with soil enhanced the soil fertility, nutrient up take, plant growth and yield of vegetable plants. Table - 1 Nutrient status of soil Treatment pH Electrical conductivity Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash Iron Manganese Zinc Copper Control 7.6 ± 0.04 1.2 ± 0.01 112 ± 0.81 14.5 ± 0.01 435.6 ± 0.41 7.15 ± 0.06 3.11 ± 0.02 1.08 ± 0.04 0.77 ± 0.02 T1 7.5 ± 0.12 1.80 ± 0.06 104 ± 1.2 14.67 ± 0.12 500.4 ± 0.33 6.62 ± 0.02 2.97 ± 0.03 1. 04 ± 0.03 0.63 ± 0.05 T2 7.4 ± 0.02 2.07 ± 0.03 122 ± 0.98 14.5 ± 0.03 500.4 ± 0.25 6.89 ± 0.10 4.12 ± 0.01 1.12 ± 0.02 0.68 ± 0.01 T3 7.5 ± 0.08 1.89 ± 0.09 106 ± 0.31 10.71 ± 0.18 500.7 ± 0.29 7.12 ± 0.01 2.92 ± 0.04 1.22 ± 0.01 0.72 ± 0.02 T4 7.5 ± 0 .10 2.31 ± 0.11 115 ± 0.05 9.06 ± 0.05 500.6 ± 0.26 6.95 ± 0.03 3.13 ± 0.02 1.06 ± 0.03 0.66 ± 0.04 Values given in each cell is the mean SD of five replicates. Electrical Conductivity expressed in dSm-1, Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potash were expressed in kg/acre, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper were expressed in ppm. Table - 2 Influence of vermicompost on the period and percentage of germination of vegetable crops TreatmentOkra Brinjal Tomato Chilli Germination (days) Percentage germination Germination (days) Percentage germination Germination (days) Percentage germination Germination (days) Percentage germination Control 6.23 ± 0.37a 5.47 ± 0.33db 5.80 ± 0.08b 5.17 ± 0.21eb 4.53 ± 0.25c 80.6 8.87 ± 0.21a 7.67 ± 0.17b 7.50 ± 0.29cb 8.37 ± 0.25a 8.30 ± 0.45a 68.63 6.03 ± 0.17a 6.27 ± 0.41a 5.87 ± 0.21b 5.03 ± 0.17c 4.77 ± 0.12dc 60.25 8.07 ± 0.12a 8.40 ± 0.16a 7.53 ± 0.26b 7.27 ± 0.39b 8.43 ± 0.29a 75.72 T 1 89.7 72.44 69.50 79.81 T 2 96.74 84.32 94.75 92.35 T 3 94.05 81.84 97.78 90.82 T 4 92.50 82.34 86.53 89.63 CD (p0.05) 0.400.510.480.43 Values given in each cell is the mean ± SD of five replicates Table - 3 Influence of vermicompost on the root length (cm) of vegetable crops Exposure period in days Treatment Okra Brinjal Tomato Chilli Control 4.97 ± 0.63 4.20 ± 0.37 6.10 ± 0.73 3.80 ± 0.71 T 1 5.80 ± 0.71 5.77 ± 0.29 7.20 ± 0.49 4.73 ± 0.34 30 days T 2 7.07 ± 0.48 6.30 ± 0.73 8.10 ± 0.24 5.80 ± 0.49 T 3 5.23 ± 0.37 6.97 ± 0.42 8.77 ± 0.37 5.07 ± 0.62 T 4 4.23 ± 0.33 5.63 ± 0.54 6.30 ± 0.99 4.27 ± 0.90 Control 6.13 ± 0.68 6.27 ± 0.34 9.17 ± 0.21 5.53 ± 0.54 T 1 7.60 ± 0.45 8.03 ± 0.33 9.90 ± 0.57 6.60 ± 0.57 60 days T 2 9.13 ± 0.29 8.87 ± 0.57 11.03 ± 0.17 7.60 ± 0.43 T 3 7.20 ± 0.45 9.47 ± 0.57 12.00 ± 0.59 6.80 ± 0.50 T 4 6.07 ±0.34 7.47 ± 1.00 8.30 ± 0.80 6.63 ± 0.48 Control 8.87 ± 0.56 9.40 ± 0.57 11.93 ± 0.52 8.50 ± 0.43 T 1 11.37 ± 1.02 11.17 ± 0.86 12.77 ± 0.59 9.57 ± 0.46 90 days T 2 13.03 ± 0.33 11.53 ± 0.80 13.10 ± 0.51 10.90 ± 0.57 T 3 10.07 ± 0.34 13.37 ± 1.02 15.30 ± 0.62 10.17 ± 0.78 T 4 9.10 ± 0.24 10.83± 0.60 11.30 ± 0.67 9.27 ± 0.86 CD (p0.05) 1.022 1.36 1.30 1.42 Values given in each cell is the mean ± SD of five replicates Research Journal of Chemical Sciences _______________________________________________________ ISSN 2231-606X Vol. 3(12), 56-61, December (2014) Int. Res. J. Biological Sci. International Science Congress Association 59 Table - 4 Influence of vermicompost on the shoot length (cm) of vegetable crops Exposure period in days Treatment Okra Brinjal Tomato Chilli Control 4.97 ± 0.63 4.20 ± 0.37 6.10 ± 0.73 3.80 ± 0.71 T 1 5.80 ± 0.71 5.77 ± 0.29 7.20 ± 0.49 4.73 ± 0.34 30 days T 2 7.07 ± 0.48 6.30 ± 0.73 8.10 ± 0.24 5.80 ± 0.49 T 3 5.23 ± 0.37 6.97 ± 0.42 8.77 ± 0.37 5.07 ± 0.62 T 4 4.23 ± 0.33 5.63 ± 0.54 6.30 ± 0.99 4.27 ± 0.90 Control 6.13 ± 0.68 6.27 ± 0.34 9.17 ± 0.21 5.53 ± 0.54 T 1 7.60 ± 0.45 8.03 ± 0.33 9.90 ± 0.57 6.60 ± 0.57 60 days T 2 9.13 ± 0.29 8.87 ± 0.57 11.03 ± 0.17 7.60 ± 0.43 T 3 7.20 ± 0.45 9.47 ± 0.57 12.00 ± 0.59 6.80 ± 0.50 T 4 6.07 ±0.34 7.47 ± 1.00 8.30 ± 0.80 6.63 ± 0.48 Control 8.87 ± 0.56 9.40 ± 0.57 11.93 ± 0.52 8.50 ± 0.43 T 1 11.37 ± 1.02 11.17 ± 0.86 12.77 ± 0.59 9.57 ± 0.46 90 days T 2 13.03 ± 0.33 11.53 ± 0.80 13.10 ± 0.51 10.90 ± 0.57 T 3 10.07 ± 0.34 13.37 ± 1.02 15.30 ± 0.62 10.17 ± 0.78 T 4 9.10 ± 0.24 10.83± 0.60 11.30 ± 0.67 9.27 ± 0.86 CD (p0.05) 1.022 1.36 1.30 1.42 Values given in each cell is the mean ± SD of five replicates Table - 5 Influence of vermicompost on the branch number of vegetable crops Exposure period in days Treatment Okra Brinjal Tomato Chilli Control 2.33 ± 0.61 5.00 ± 0.80 8.67 ± 0.33 5.67 ± 0.36 T 1 2.67 ± 0.57 7.33 ± 0.52 10.00 ± 0.62 7.33 ± 0.43 30 days T 2 4.00 ± 0.82 8.00 ± 0.79 11.67 ± 0.57 11.67 ± 1.31 T 3 3.67 ± 0.52 9.33 ± 0.47 14.00 ± 0.82 10.33 ± 1.12 T 4 3.00 ± 0.41 6.67 ± 0.41 11.00 ± 0.64 8.67 ± 0.71 Control 3.67 ± 0.43 8.00 ± 0.63 11.00 ± 0.81 9.67 ± 0.46 T 1 4.33 ± 0.46 11.00 ± 0.72 12.67 ± 0.94 11.67 ± 0.41 60 days T 2 6.00 ± 0.82 10.67 ± 0.29 14.67 ± 0.85 15.67 ± 1.03 T 3 5.33 ± 0.37 13.33 ± 0.22 17.67 ± 1.21 13.00 ± 0.81 T 4 4.67 ± 0.53 10.33 ± 0.49 12.67 ± 1.07 12.33 ± 0.86 Control 5.67 ± 0.41 11.33 ± 1.05 14.00 ± 1.63 13.67 ± 0.45 T 1 6.00 ± 0.82 14.33 ± 1.23 14.33 ± 1.25 16.33 ± 0.92 90 days T 2 8.00 ± 0.82 15.33 ± 1.18 16.67 ± 0.94 19.67 ± 1.14 T 3 7.33 ± 0.54 18.33 ± 0.47 19.33 ± 0.47 17.00 ± 0.80 T 4 6.67 ± 0.38 13.33 ± 0.57 18.33 ± 0.32 16.67 ± 1.11 CD (p0.05) 1.44 1.40 1.93 1.87 Values given in each cell is the mean ± SD of five replicatesReferences 1.Geetha P. and Balakrishnan K.P., Effects of sulphuric acid and nitric acid on the pollen grains of Cocus nucifera,JAWPC Tech Ann., 10, 193-196 (1983) 2.Vijayalakshmi A, Divya S. and Sridevi Y.K., Studies on impact of composted pressmud on biometric and yield parameters of soyabean, Indian J. 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International Science Congress Association 60 Table - 6 Influence of vermicompost on the leaf number of vegetable crops Exposure period in days Treatment Okra Brinjal Tomato Chilli Control 5.67 ± 0.45 5.67 ± 0.47 5.33 ± 0.37 11.00 ± 0.82 T 1 7.00 ± 0.82 7.33 ± 0.43 6.33 ± 0.42 14.00 ± 0.82 30 days T 2 9.00 ± 0.80 10.33± 1.25 7.33 ± 0.48 17.33 ± 0.41 T 3 6.67 ± 1.25 11.67± 1.25 9.33 ± 0.51 15.67 ± 0.43 T 4 5.33 ± 0.41 8.67 ± 0.37 7.0 ± 0.82 14.67 ± 0.37 Control 7.00 ± 0.81 12.33 ± 0.53 8.33 ± 0.44 16.00 ± 0.82 T 1 9.00 ± 0.68 13.33 ± 0.47 9.33 ± 0.42 18.67 ± 0.27 60 days T 2 13.00 ± 0.64 14.67 ± 0.32 11.0 ± 0.82 22.33 ± 0.35 T 3 9.00 ± 0.52 17.00 ± 0.82 12.33 ± 0.41 21.0 ± 1.41 T 4 10.00 ± 0.42 13.00 ± 0.81 10.00 ± 0.82 19.67 ± 0.36 Control 8.33 ± 0.47 11.00 ± 0.82 12.33 ± 0.38 22.00 ± 0.82 T 1 11.33 ± 1.25 14.00 ± 0.76 13.33 ± 0.41 23.67 ± 0.33 90 days T 2 14.00 ± 1.63 15.67 ± 0.43 14.67 ± 0.47 27.33 ± 0.42 T 3 11.00 ± 0.64 17.33 ± 0.47 17.00 ± 0.82 26.00 ± 0.82 T 4 12.00 ± 0.82 14.67 ± 0.35 13.00 ± 0.79 24.67 ± 0.46 CD (p0.05) 1.81 1.24 1.40 1.32 Values given in each cell is the mean ± SD of five replicates Table - 7 Influence of vermicompost on the fruit number of vegetable crops Treatment Okra Brinjal Tomato Chilli Control 2.00 ± 0.82c 3.67 ± 0.47d 4.67 ± 0.47e 6.67 ± 0.94d T 1 3.67 ± 0.94b 4.67 ± 0.54b 6.00 ± 1.63d 8.00 ± 0.82b T 2 5.33 ± 0.43a 5.00 ± 0.52a 9.67 ± 1.70b 13.33 ± 1.25a T 3 4.00 ± 0.78a 6.00 ± 0.82a 13.33 ± 1.25a 14.33 ± 3.30a T 4 4.00 ± 0.82a 4.00 ± 0.73c 8.67 ± 0.94c 10.00 ± 0.82b CD (p0.05) 1.93 1.26 1.55 2.81 Values given in each cell is the mean ± SD of five replicates 5.Atiyeh R.M., Subler S., Edwards C.A. and Metzger J., Growth of tomato plants in horticultural potting media amended with vermicompost, Pedobiologia,43, 724–728 (1999) 6.Jackson M.L., Soil chemical analysis, Prentice Hall India. 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