Impact of Vermicompost on Lettuce Cultivated Soil
M. M. Manyuchi1, T. Mudamburi2, A. Phiri3, P. Muredzi4
1Dr. Eng. Musaida Mercy Manyuchi, Department of Chemical and Process Systems Engineering, Harare Institute of Technology, P O Box BE 277, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
2T. Mudamburi, Technopreneurship Department, Harare Institute of Technology, P O Box BE 277, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
3Dr. Eng. Anthony Phiri, Department of Chemical and Process Systems Engineering, Harare Institute of Technology, P O Box BE 277, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe .
4Dr. Perkins Muredzi, Dean, School of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Harare Institute of Technology, P O Box BE 277, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Manuscript received on October 02, 2013. | Revised Manuscript Received on October 13, 2013. | Manuscript published on October 20, 2013. | PP: 41-43 | Volume-1, Issue-11, October 2013. | Retrieval Number: K03371011113/2013©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Vermicomposting is an environmentally friendly technique that is used for organic solid waste management. Waste corn pulp blended with cow dung and office paper was vermicomposted over 30 days to produce vermicompost which is a bio-fertilizer. The vermicompost was applied to soil cultivated with lettuce at the planting and after every four weeks. The impact of vermicompost on the soil was quantified. Application of vermicompost resulted in a 5%, 21.7%, 16.9% and 4.92% increase in soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorous and manganese content respectively. Application of the vermicompost also resulted in a 9.41% and 3.77% decrease in soil electrical conductivity and potassium content respectively. However, application of vermicompost did not alter the copper and zinc content of the lettuce cultivated soil. The lettuce showed vigor and vitality during the period of growth. Vermicompost can be used for sustainable agriculture practices.
Keywords: Bio-fertilizer, lettuce, soil properties, vermicompost.