EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOST ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CAPSICUM ANNUM

Abstract

The study was aimed at understanding the effect of vermicompost on the growth and yield of Capsicum annum. The main aim of this investigation was focused on the assessment of the potency of selected earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae with respect to their biodegradation of Lady’s finger waste into organic manure known as vermicompost. The present  study has been carried out to estimate macro and micronutrients, physiochemical parameters, enzymes and biochemical parameters in vermicompost before and after inoculation of earthworm species and also a comparative study was done on the effect of vermicompost on the growth parameters namely shoot length and number of leaf count in Capsicum annum.The results of the study revealed that the total macronutrients and micronutrients showed elevated levels in vermicompost when compared to control. The enzyme activities amylase, cellulase, invertase, biochemical parameters namely protein; physiochemical parameters namely pH showed elevated levels after vermicomposting. The vermicompost applied plant Capsicum annum showed an increased shoot length and number of leaves when compared to the inorganic fertilizer applied plant. Hence based on the various studies performed it was concluded that this quality of vermicompost obtained from the degradation of the Lady’s finger waste by Eudrilus eugeniae is an effective organic manure which would facilitate increased uptake of the nutrients by the plants resulting in higher growth and yield.