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Efficacy of the Vermicomposts of Different Organic Wastes as “Clean” Fertilizers: State-of-the-Art

Author

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  • Naseer Hussain

    (Centre for Pollution Control & Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Chinnakalapet, Puducherry 605014, India)

  • Shahid A. Abbasi

    (Centre for Pollution Control & Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Chinnakalapet, Puducherry 605014, India)

Abstract

Vermicomposting is a process in which earthworms are utilized to convert biodegradable organic waste into humus-like vermicast. Past work, mainly on vermicomposting of animal droppings, has shown that vermicompost is an excellent organic fertilizer and is also imbibed with pest-repellent properties. However, there is no clarity whether vermicomposts of organic wastes other than animal droppings are as plant-friendly as the manure-based vermicomposts are believed to be. It is also not clear as to whether the action of a vermicompost as a fertilizer depends on the species of plants being fertilized by it. This raises questions whether vermicomposts are beneficial (or harmful) at all levels of application or if there is a duality in their action which is a function of their rate of application. The present work is an attempt to seek answers to these questions. To that end, all hitherto published reports on the action of vermicomposts of different substrates on different species of plants have been assessed. The study reveals that, in general, vermicomposts of all animal/plant based organic wastes are highly potent fertilizers. They also possess some ability to repel plant pests. The factors that shape these properties have been assessed and the knowledge gaps that need to be bridged have been identified.

Suggested Citation

  • Naseer Hussain & Shahid A. Abbasi, 2018. "Efficacy of the Vermicomposts of Different Organic Wastes as “Clean” Fertilizers: State-of-the-Art," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-63, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1205-:d:141387
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pritam Sangwan & V. K. Garg & C. P. Kaushik, 2010. "Growth and yield response of marigold to potting media containing vermicompost produced from different wastes," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 123-130, June.
    2. M. Ashraful Islam & Sumiya Islam & Ayasha Akter & Md Habibur Rahman & Dilip Nandwani, 2017. "Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil Properties and the Growth, Yield and Quality of Tomato in Mymensingh, Bangladesh," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-7, March.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hongwei Zhang & Jianhui Li & Yingying Zhang & Kui Huang, 2020. "Quality of Vermicompost and Microbial Community Diversity Affected by the Contrasting Temperature during Vermicomposting of Dewatered Sludge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Alise Ose & Una Andersone-Ozola & Gederts Ievinsh, 2021. "Substrate-Dependent Effect of Vermicompost on Yield and Physiological Indices of Container-Grown Dracocephalum moldavica Plants," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Joseph Jjagwe & Allan John Komakech & Jeninah Karungi & Arabel Amann & Joshua Wanyama & Jakob Lederer, 2019. "Assessment of a Cattle Manure Vermicomposting System Using Material Flow Analysis: A Case Study from Uganda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Dhandapani Banupriya & Tabassum-Abbasi & Tasneem Abbasi & Shahid Abbas Abbasi, 2022. "Rapid, Clean, and Sustainable Bioprocessing of Toxic Weeds into Benign Organic Fertilizer," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-20, September.
    5. Cinny Makkar & Jaswinder Singh & Chander Parkash & Sharanpreet Singh & Adarsh Pal Vig & Salwinder Singh Dhaliwal, 2023. "Vermicompost acts as bio-modulator for plants under stress and non-stress conditions," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 2006-2057, March.
    6. Masoume Amirkhani & Hilary S. Mayton & Anil N. Netravali & Alan G. Taylor, 2019. "A Seed Coating Delivery System for Bio-Based Biostimulants to Enhance Plant Growth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-16, September.

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