Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper


Vol 9, Issue 2, 2007

Page Number: 321-326

EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST AND COMPOST ON GROWTH PARAMETERS OF SELECTED VEGETABLE AND MEDICINAL PLANTS

M. LAKSHMI PRABHA, INDIRA A. JAYRAAJ, R. JAYARAJ AND D. SRINIVASA RAO

Abstract

The agricultural lands are depleted of soil fertility due to continuous cultivation. In order to increase the soil fertility, man uses inorganic fertilizers. Though they promote the growth of crops, susceptibility is the negative impact by over utilization of fertilizers. Application of chemicals is widely practised to control plant disease in modern agriculture. It also provides mutants of pathogens. To overcome all these factors application of organic manure is suggested. The present investigation was aimed to study the effect of inorganic fertilizer, farmyard manure and vermicompost on growth parameters namely root length, shoot length and number of leaves of two. selected vegetable plants Hibiscus esculentus and Solanum melongena medicinal plants. Adhatoda vasica and Solanum trilobatum. The manural potential of three manures: Inorganic Fertilizer (IF), Farmyard Manure (FYM) and Vermicompost (VC) was evaluated at different intervals of time. Vermicompost is a rich source of macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, enzymes and plant growth hormones, so when vermicompost was applied to the plants that help in efficient growth of piants. Our research showed the growth rate was fast and high in vemicompost applied plants when compared to other treatments.