Asuman BÜYÜKKILIÇ YANARDAĞ
1
,
İbrahim Halil YANARDAĞ
2
1
Malatya Turgut Ozal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Department, Malatya
2
Malatya Turgut Ozal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Department, Malatya
Abstract
Vermicompost is a rich, nutritious fertilizer produced by the digestion and decomposition of organic waste by earthworms. In this process, the worms break down organic materials to produce a humus-like substance. Vermicompost contains high levels of plant nutrients, enzymes, microorganisms and growth regulators. These components make vermicompost an effective natural fertilizer that increases soil fertility and improves plant health. Vermicomposting also provides significant benefits in terms of environmental sustainability. The breakdown of organic waste by worms facilitates waste management and reduces the burden on landfills. In addition, vermicomposting reduces the use of chemical fertilizers and prevents environmentally harmful chemicals from entering the soil and water resources. Vermicompost has great potential for sustainable agriculture and soil health. However, it needs to be used in an effective and balanced manner. This study comprehensively addressed the benefits and potential harms of vermicompost on soil health and agricultural productivity. Future research and applications will contribute to a more effective and sustainable use of vermicompost.
Keywords
Vermicompost,soil,sustainable,agriculture,organic
How to Cite
BÜYÜKKILIÇ YANARDAĞ, A., & YANARDAĞ , İbrahim H. (2024). Vermicompost Applications in Soils. MAS Journal of Applied Sciences, 9(Özel Sayı), 734–740. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13899379
📄Aira, M., Monroy, F., Domínguez, J., 2007. Microbial biomass governs enzyme activity decay during aging of worm-worked substrates through vermicomposting. Journal of Environmental Quality, 36(2): 448-452.
📄Ansari, A.A., Sukhraj, K., 2010. Effect of vermiwash and vermicompost on soil parameters and productivity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in Guyana. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(14): 1794-1798.
📄Arancon, N.Q., Edwards, C.A., Atiyeh, R.M., Metzger, J.D., 2004. Effects of vermicomposts produced from food waste on the growth and yields of greenhouse peppers. Bioresource Technology, 93(2): 139-144.
📄Arancon, N.Q., Edwards, C.A., Bierman, P., Welch, C., Metzger, J.D., 2004. Influences of vermicomposts on field strawberries: Part 1. Effects on growth and yields. Bioresource Technology, 93(2): 145-153.
📄Arancon, N.Q., Galvis, P.A., Edwards, C.A., 2005. Suppression of insect pest populations and damage to plants by vermicomposts. Bioresource Technology, 96(10): 1137-1142.
📄Atiyeh, R.M., Domínguez, J., Subler, S., Edwards, C.A., 2000a. Changes in biochemical properties of cow manure during processing by earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and the effects on seedling growth. Pedobiologia, 44(6): 709-724.
📄Atiyeh, R.M., Subler, S., Edwards, C.A., Bachman, G., Metzger, J.D., Shuster, W., 2000b. Effects of vermicomposts and composts on plant growth in horticultural container media and soil. Pedobiologia, 44(5): 579-590.
📄Bhardwaj, A.K., Bhardwaj, A.K., Dhiman, K.R., Singh, A., Dadhich, R., 2010. Vermicomposting: A technique for improving soil fertility and crop productivity. Journal of Horticultural Science & Ornamental Plants, 2(1): 23-29.
📄Bhat, S.A., Singh, J., Vig, A.P., 2015. Potential utilization of bagasse as feed material for earthworm Eisenia fetida and production of vermicompost. SpringerPlus, 4: 11.
📄Chaoui, H.I., Zibilske, L.M., Ohno, T., 2003. Effects of earthworm casts and compost on soil microbial activity and plant nutrient availability. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 35(2): 295-302.
📄Domínguez, J., Edwards, C.A., 2011. Relationship between composting and vermicomposting. In Edwards, C.A., Arancon, N.Q., & Sherman, R. (Eds.), Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes, and Environmental Management, CRC Press, pp. 11-26.
📄Edwards, C.A., Arancon, N.Q., 2004. The influence of vermicomposts on plant growth and pest incidence. In Shakir Hanna, S.H., & Mikhail, W.Z.A. (Eds.), Soil Zoology for Sustainable Development in the 21st Century, Cairo: Self-Publisher, pp. 397-420.
📄Edwards, C.A., Arancon, N.Q., 2004. Vermicomposting: Science, and Sustainable Development.
📄Edwards, C.A., Bohlen, P.J., 1996. Biology and Ecology of Earthworms. Chapman & Hall.
📄Edwards, C.A., Burrows, I., 1988. The potential of earthworm composts as plant growth media. In Edwards, C.A., & Neuhauser, E.F. (Eds.), Earthworms in Waste and Environmental Management, SPB Academic Publishing, pp. 211-220.
📄Gajalakshmi, S., Abbasi, S.A., 2004. Neem leaves as a source of fertilizer-cum-pesticide vermicompost. Bioresource Technology, 92(3): 291-296.
📄Karmegam, N., Daniel, T., 2009. Investigating efficiency of vermicompost on the growth and yield of green gram (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) crops. Environmentalist, 29: 287-300.
📄Kumar, A., Sharma, S., 2014. Vermicompost: An eco-friendly approach for sustainable crop production. In Singh, R.P., & Lichtfouse, E. (Eds.), Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, Springer, Vol. 14, pp. 191-230.
📄Lavelle, P., Spain, A.V., Blanchart, E., Martin, A., Martin, S., 1992. Impact of soil fauna on the properties of soils in the humid tropics. In Lal, R., & Sanchez, P. A. (Eds.), Myths and Science of Soils of the Tropics, Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America and American Society of Agronomy, pp. 157-185.
📄Lazcano, C., Arnold, J., Tato, A., Zaller, J. G., Domínguez, J., 2009. Compost and vermicompost as nursery pot components: Effects on tomato plant growth and morphology. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 7(4): 944-951.
📄Lazcano, C., Domínguez, J., 2011. The use of vermicompost in sustainable agriculture: Impact on plant growth and soil fertility. In Miransari, M. (Ed.), Soil Nutrients, Nova Science Publishers, pp. 230-254.
📄Lazcano, C., Gómez-Brandón, M., Revilla, P., Domínguez, J., 2013. Short-term effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil microbial community structure and function. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 49(6): 723-733.
📄Maboeta, M.S., Van Rensburg, L., 2003. Vermicomposting of industrially produced woodchips and sewage sludge utilizing Eisenia fetida. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 56(2): 265-270.
📄Ndegwa, P.M., Thompson, S.A., 2001. Integrating composting and vermicomposting in the treatment and bioconversion of biosolids. Bioresource Technology, 76(2): 107-112.
📄Parthasarathi, K., Ranganathan, L.S., Anandi, V., Zeyer, J., 2007. Diversity of microflora in the gut and casts of tropical composting earthworms reared on different substrates. Journal of Environmental Biology, 28(1): 87-97.
📄Singh, R., Prakash, A., 2008. Vermicompost and soil health. In Prasad, M.N.V. (Ed.), Urbanization, Industrialization, and the Environment, Springer, pp. 161-173.
📄Sinha, R.K., Agarwal, S., Chauhan, K., Valani, D., 2010. The wonders of earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) in farm production: Charles Darwin's 'friends of farmers', with potential to replace destructive chemical fertilizers from agriculture. Agricultural Sciences, 1(2): 76-94.
📄Sinha, R.K., Heart, S., Agarwal, S., Asadi, R., Carretero, E., 2002. Vermiculture technology for environmental management: Study of the action of earthworms Eisenia foetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavatus on biodegradation of some community wastes in India and Australia. The Environmentalist, 22: 261-268.
📄Uçar, Ö., Erman, M., 2020. The effects of different row spacings, chicken manure doses and seed pre-applications on the yield and yield components of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 4(4): 875-901.
📄Yadav, A., Garg, V.K., 2011. Recycling of organic wastes by employing Eisenia fetida. Bioresource Technology, 102(3): 2874-2880.
📄Zaller, J.G., 2007. Vermicompost as a substitute for peat in potting media: Effects on germination, biomass allocation, yields and fruit quality of three tomato varieties. Scientia Horticulturae, 112(2): 191-199.
,
İbrahim Halil YANARDAĞ
2