Vermicomposting of coirpith with cowdung by Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg and its efficacy on the growth of Cyamopsis tetragonaloba (L) Taub

Resumo

Tendo em vista a crescente conscientização sobre a agricultura orgânica ecológica e a biotecnologia, foram utilizadas fontes naturais de fibra de coco e esterco bovino para produzir vermicomposto, que apresentou um efeito promotor de crescimento aprimorado na cultura Cyamopsis tetragonaloba. Inicialmente, foram determinados os teores de fibra detergente neutra, fibra detergente ácida, lignina, celulose e hemicelulose em três graus diferentes de fibra de coco e esterco bovino. O vermicomposto foi preparado utilizando a minhoca Eudrilus eugeniae com 60 dias de manutenção. Durante a compostagem, os teores de N, P, K e C foram estimados no vermicomposto, bem como no composto de controle. Os valores de N, P e K aumentaram significativamente no vermicomposto. O C:N diminuiu drasticamente na vermicompostagem durante o período experimental. O vermicomposto aumentou o crescimento da cultura C. tetragonaloba testada. As plantas tratadas com vermicomposto eram 9 cm mais altas quando comparadas com as plantas de controle. O uso do vermicomposto também levou a um aumento acentuado na biomassa das plantas.

Abstract

In view of the growing awareness about ecofriendly organic farming and biotechnology, coirpith and cowdung natural sources were used to produce vermicompost which showed enhanced growth promoting effect in the crop Cyamopsis tetragonaloba. Initially, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose contents were determined in three different grades of coirpith and in cowdung. Vermicompost was prepared using the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae with 60 days maintenance. During composting N, P, K and C contents were estimated in vermicompost as well as in control compost. N, P and K values were highly increased in vermicompost. C:N was dramatically decreased in vermicomposting during the experimental period. Vermicompost enhanced the growth of tested C. tetragonaloba crop. Vermicompost treated plants were taller by 9 cm when compared with the control plant. The use of Vermicompost also led to a marked increase in plant biomass.