Evaluation of Vegetable Vermicompost on the Chemical Properties of two Different Soils

Authors

  • Nweke, I. A. University of South Africa
  • Chime, E. U. University of South Africa
  • Ogugua U. O. University of South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47941/jap.397

Keywords:

Earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae, chemical properties, vermicompost

Abstract

Vermicompst is a rich source of vitamins and growth hormones and contains most nutrients in plant available form. Ten adult earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) were cultured for three (3) months and three (3) weeks in sack made from old window mosquito net. The resultant product at harvest - vermicompost made of mostly worm casts was used to incubate sandy and clay soils respectively at the ratio of 50g: 300g for two (2) months and replicated five (5) times. The results of  the study shows that the produced vermicompost enriched the two types of soil with favourable pH level, high content of P, Ca, Mg and OM. Available P, pH level, Ca, Mg and OM were significantly (P < 0.05 ) increased and varied among the treatments. Exch. K and microbial biomass (MB) result showed higher value in clay while sand recorded higher value in N, Na and exchangeable acidity (EA). The findings of this study are of evidence that vermicompost improved the fertility of the soils by releasing mineral elements in the forms that are available for uptake of crops.

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Author Biographies

Nweke, I. A., University of South Africa

Student: Department of Soil Science Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of South Africa

 

Chime, E. U., University of South Africa

Student: Department of Soil Science Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of South Africa

Ogugua U. O., University of South Africa

Student: Department of Soil Science Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of South Africa

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Published

2020-04-21

How to Cite

Nweke, I., Chime, E., & Ogugua, U. (2020). Evaluation of Vegetable Vermicompost on the Chemical Properties of two Different Soils. Journal of Agricultural Policy, 3(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.47941/jap.397

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2020)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2020 I A Nweke, E U Chime, U O Ogugua

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