Effect of Nutrient and Microbially Rich Vermicompost on Pomegrante: Soil Microbiology Nutrient Management and Fruit Production

Vermiculture has emerged as an efficient and novel option in bio dynamic farming. Vermicomposting is a simple biotechnological process of composting in which earthworms are used to enhance the process of waste conversion and produce a better end product. Agricultural residue composting is a complex process mediated by microorganisms through lignocellulolytic enzyme system. Further nutritive value of compost can be augmented through the use of earthworm, nutrient supplementation and microbial inoculation. Enriched vermicomposts obtained by macro and micro nutrient supplementation, lignocellulolytic micro organisms inoculation, nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilizing bacterial inoculation had highest N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn nutrients and lowest C : N ratio, indicating high degree of enrichment and superiority over simple compost i.e. FYM. During vermicomposting, vermicompost also had higher cellulase activity and bacterial population. Enriched vermicomposts were found superior in enhancing vegetative growth, yield and yield attributing characteristics and quality characteristics of fruits of pomegranate.