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Evaluation of Vermicompost and its Application Effect on Growth and Yield of

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculetum) in Wondo Genet, Ethiopia

Article · January 2022

DOI: 10.5829/[Link].2022.11.2.16512

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International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Sciences 11(2): 33-39, 2022
ISSN 2311-2492
© IDOSI Publications, 2022
DOI: 10.5829/[Link].2022.11.2.16512

Evaluation of Vermicompost and its Application Effect on Growth and

Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculetum) in Wondo Genet, Ethiopia

Kedir Jemal and Bikiltu Tolossa

Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research , Ethiopia

Abstract: Understanding the soil resource in an area and adoptions of management options to improve the
productivity of crops and soils is necessary for sustainable use. Vermicompost, which is a potential soil fertilizer
for sustainable agriculture has proven to increase yields of a variety of crops, but little is known about its
application rate and timing for optimum productivity of tomato in clay loam soils of Wondo Genet, Ethiopia.
To evaluate vermicompost on tomato productivity, a field experiment was conducted at Wondo Genet
Agricultural Research Center. Factorial combination of N rates from vermicompost (based on N equivalence)
and application period was the treatments. Nitrogen rates was had levels of full dose from inorganic N, 50% of
the RN from vermicompost, 75% of the RN from vermicompost, 100% of the RN from vermicompost and 150%
of RN from vermicompost. Application period had levels of 35, 20 days before planting and at planting.
The design was used RCBD with three times replication for each treatment. The obtained results from the
present research indicated that, the application rate and timing of vermicompost, clearly, had influences on
tomato productivity. Application of vermicompost had significant (p < 0.01) effect on tomato above ground
biomass and tomato yield, but not on plant height and fruit diameter. The highest yield of tomato (12338 kg
ha 1) and above ground biomass (12975kg ha 1) was obtained from the application of 100% of the
recommended nitrogen from vermicompost 30 days before planting, respectively. Additionally, higher tomato
plant height (80.97 cm) and fruit diameter (36.26 cm) were obtained from the application of 100% of the
recommended nitrogen from vermicompost 30 days before planting. From the study the minimum Yield and yield
components were obtained at the application of full dose from inorganic nitrogen alone and statistically inferior
with that of rest trials. Accordingly, application of vermicompost of 100% of the recommended nitrogen from
vermicompost 30 days before planting could be recommended to achieve optimum yield of tomato and improve
soil fertility of the study area.

Key words: Growth Yield Tomato Vermicompost Application Rate Application Timing

INTRODUCTION This will improve the health of the consumers and

improve the benefit that growers would obtain. The
Now a day the world population has faced two concepts of using organic fertilizers and even
challenges. The first is adverse climate change because of composting, though conventional, have been with
uncontrolled greenhouse gas emission and the other is Ethiopian farmers for couple of decades. However, the
health related problem attributed to inorganic product practice on organic fertilizer production and use has
consumption. Organic inputs, on the other hand, partly remained to be quite traditional. Different local producers
substitute inorganic fertilizer and hence contribute in of compost do the composting work from predetermined
reduction of fuel burning that meant for inorganic sources, in own procedure and even apply haphazardly.
fertilizer production as well as minimize emissions due to The absence of commercial compost producer at a
volatilization and denitrification losses. Moreover, the country level might have contributed much to the
integration of organic inputs to agriculture would enrich problem. Research will also have an irreplaceable role to
the quality of produces. end these irregularities through standardizing the system.

Corresponding Author: Kedir Jemal, Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center,

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research., Ethiopia. E-mail: kedirjemal32@[Link].
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 Intl. J. Water Resources & Environ Sci.., 11(2): 33-39, 2022

The functional relationship of volume and proportion of [8] and provides substances involved in plant growth
source, volume and quality of product and yield regulation [9]. These active substances, such as nitrates,
improvement per unit dry weight product need to be phosphorus and soluble aggregates (potassium, calcium
established for major agro ecology’s [1]. and magnesium), are easily assimilated by plants [10].
An additional benefit of recovering and reusing Bduli et al. [11] indicate that the mixture of vermicompost
nutrients from waste streams is that it enables organic with inorganic fertilizers increase crop yields, compared
matter to be returned to the soil, playing a crucial role in to those who only use the latter; Atiyeh et al. [12] its
the maintenance of good overall soil health and functions application also improves the quality of vegetables and
including nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Functional nutrient levels are higher than in traditional crops [13].
relationship of proportion of sources, duration, volume In the vermicomposting process many nutrients are
and quality of organic product and their role on the crop changed to their simplest form, facilitating its absorption
productivity need to be established for major crops, by the plant [14].
soils and agroecology’s. In other hand, recycled nutrients Vermicompost are characterized by high porosity,
provide an important share of total nutritional aeration, drainage, water holding capacity and microbial
requirements for crop production, there is scope to activity. Many studies have demonstrated positive effects
increase this contribution by recovering and reusing of vermicompost on a wide range of crops, including
nutrients from other waste streams [2]. cereals and legumes, ornamental and flowering plants,
Although, industrial fertilizer has helped to improve vegetables [6, 12] and field crops. Application of compost
crop production, its escalating price caused by increased and vermicompost can also increase soil organic carbon,
fossil fuel prices has seriously limited its use. On the other nitrates, phosphates, exchangeable calcium and some
hand, the application of chemical fertilizers over a long other nutrients for plants [15]. Most of these
period has resulted in poor soil health, reduction in investigations have confirmed that manure compost
produce and increase in incidences of pest, disease and vermicompost usually has significant beneficial
environmental pollution [3]. Accordingly, production effects on plant growth. However, there have been very
potential of food crops is still low and as a result few experimental investigations exploring effects of
producers are now looking for other alternatives to these vermicompost and manure compost applications on
fertilizers. Therefore, in order to reduce costs and adopt tomato [15].
more environmentally-friendly practices, research on Traditionally farmers used to apply these fertilizers
alternative substrates is of great interest and several understanding the benefits they have in increasing soil
alternatives have been proposed. Organic fertilizers play fertility as well as crop productivity. However, the
significant role in improving soil fertility and increasing small-scale farmers lack information on the exact rate,
crop production and productivity. The most common quality and of course alternate sources of these fertilizers.
types of organic fertilizers are farm yard manures, In this line research has a lot to do and recommend the
compost, vermicompost, etc. [4]. extension system on how to prepare and use these
The new approaches to the use of organic agricultural inputs properly for sustainable crop
amendments in farming system have proven to be production. Hence, currently the research system has
effective means of improving soil structure, enhancing given due attention to organic fertilizers research and
soil fertility and increasing crop yields. Composting has product development parallel to others. Therefore, the
been recognized as a low cost and environmentally objective of this study was to evaluate vermicompost
sound process for treatment of many organic wastes [5]. characteristics and appropriate rates and period of
A process related to composting which can improve vermicompost applications on the growth and yield of
the beneficial utilization of organic wastes is tomato cultivation.
vermicomposting. Vermicompost, as a mesophilic
biodegradation product resulting from interactions MATERIALS AND METHODS
between earthworms and microorganisms in the
breakdown of organic wastes [6]. Description of the Study Area: To evaluate vermicompost
Vermicompost has a direct effect on plant growth on tomato productivity, a field experiment was conducted
and it is a product with great commercial potential [7]. during December to April of 2020 cropping seasons at
It consists of a chemical mixture of minerals composed of Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center. It is
low amounts of salts having a large ion exchange capacity geographically located at 07 03' 19.1'' to 07 04' 00.2''

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 Intl. J. Water Resources & Environ Sci.., 11(2): 33-39, 2022

North latitude and from 38 30' 08.4'' to 38 31' 01.8'' East was also rich in many soil nutrients such as, nitrogen,
longitude. It receives mean annual rainfall of 1128 mm and Sulphur, potash, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, etc.
minimum and maximum temperature of 11 and 26 C, Vermicompost was also rich in growth hormones and
respectively. The soil textural class of the experimental vitamins and thus acts as a powerful biocide against
area is clay loam with a pH of 6.4. d i s e a s e s a n d n e m a t o d e s
([Link] [Link]).
Experimental Design and Procedure: Factorial Earthworm castings contain abundant essential elements
combination of N rates from vermicompost (based on N that plants need for healthy growth
equivalence) and application period was the treatments. ([Link] com/[Link]).
Nitrogen rates was had levels of full dose from inorganic Research findings show that analysis of earthworm
N, 50% of the RN from vermicompost, 75% of the RN from castings reveal that they are richer in nutrients than
vermicompost, 100% of the RN from vermicompost and surrounding soils, often having 3 times more calcium and
150% of RN from vermicompost. Application period had several times more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
levels of 35, 20 days before planting and at planting. ([Link] com/ [Link]). There is
The design was used RCBD with three times replication a close relationship between the nutrient status of soil
for each treatment. The methods used for mass rearing and organic matter content. Vermicompost contained
and maintaining of earthworms in Wondo Genet plant nutrients in addition to its action as soil
Agricultural Research Center were used for vermicompost conditioners. This all adverse positive effect of
preparation. The materials were produced using the same vermicompost substitution may cause adverse effects on
inputs – cattle manure, with straw used as bedding for the plant growth and yield [17].
vermicomposting and bulking in the composting process Consistent previous researches have shown that the
the products were dried, screened and applied as a addition of vermicompost raises soil fertility and yields to
treatment. TN (%) analysis will be done for vermicompost levels greater than those under synthetic fertilizer
to arrange treatments before application. Incorporation of treatments. In addition to directly supplying nutrients
the vermicompost to 15-20 cm depth will be made just after from the mineralization of organic matter, the mechanisms
application. Non-treatment nutrients such as P, etc. will be of higher availability of nutrients with soils of higher
applied in uniform condition based on the organic matter contents are multiple [18]. Chaoui et al. [19]
recommendation to the specific implementing location. showed that the addition of compost to soil generally
improves tilth, soil structure, infiltration, drainage and
Data Collection and Analysis: Before commencement of water-holding capacity. [9] Reported that the supply of
the experiment physical and chemical characteristics of cattle manure vermicompost has become a profitable
vermicompost and soil used were examined based on activity for many producers.
appropriate procedures [16, 26]. Agronomic data such as
Yield/plant, fruit diameter, plant height and above ground Yield and Yield Components: Application of
biomass data was collected from the randomly selected vermicompost had significant (p < 0.01) effect on tomato
five central plants from each plot. Border rows and plants above ground biomass and tomato yield, but not on plant
were excluded from the sampling to minimize border effect height and fruit diameter (Table 3). The highest yields of
on yield and yield components of tomato. The data tomato (12338 kg ha 1) and above ground biomass
collected were statistically analyzed using statistical (12975kg ha 1) were obtained from the application of
analysis system (SAS) software version 9.4 using the 100% of the recommended nitrogen from vermicompost
general linear programming procedure (GLM). Mean 30 days before planting, respectively (Table, 3).
comparison was carried out using least significant Numerically higher tomato plant height (80.97 cm) and
difference (LSD) at a 5% probability level to compare the fruit diameter (36.26 cm) were obtained from the
differences among the treatments mean. application of 100% of the recommended nitrogen from
vermicompost 30 days before planting even if, statistically
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION significant differences were not observed among
vermicompost applications. From the study the minimum
Table 1 shows that soil had a lower pH, EC, P and Cu, Yield and yield components were obtained at the
compared to vermicompost. The vermicompost contained application of full dose from inorganic nitrogen alone and
high concentrations of organic material, silt and clay and statistically inferior with that of rest trials.

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 Intl. J. Water Resources & Environ Sci.., 11(2): 33-39, 2022

Table 1: Selected chemical characteristics of the experimental soil and vermicompost used for the study
Parameter Element concentration Parameter Element concentration
Experimental soil vermicompost
pH-H2O 6.4 pH-H2O 7.42
Organic C (%) 1.81 Organic C (%) 4.75
Total N (%) 0.20 Total N (%) 2.06
Available P (mg/kg) 9 Available P (mg/kg) 31.56
CEC (meq/100g) 19.8 CEC (meq/100g) 39.10
Exchangeable K (cmol/kg) - Exchangeable K (cmol/kg) 18.38
Exchangeable Na (cmol/kg) 0.08 Exchangeable Na (cmol/kg) 3.19
Exchangeable Ca (cmol/kg) 9.15 Exchangeable Ca (cmol/kg) 50.39
Exchangeable Mg (cmol/kg) 2.51 Exchangeable Mg (cmol/kg) 14.36
C = carbon; N= nitrogen; P = phosphorous; CEC = cation exchange capacity

Table 2: Methods of experimentations Selected chemical characteristics of the experimental soil

Parameters Methods
pH 1:2.5 water
Total N Kjeldahl
% OC Walkley black
av. S turbidimetric
av. P Bray
av. K 1N neutral ammonium acetate
av. Na 1N neutral ammonium acetate
av. Ca 1N neutral ammonium acetate
av. Mg 1N neutral ammonium acetate
CEC 1N neutral ammonium acetate
Texture Hydrometer

Fig. 1: Vermicomposting technologies

Table 3: Effect of vermicompost application rate and time on yield and yield components of tomato
Treatments PH (cm) FD (cm) Yield (kg ha 1) AGB (kg ha 1)
Full dose from inorganic N 71.80 32.79 6946c 7357c
50% of the RN from VC 30 DBP 74.80 32.96 8977bc 9353bc
50% of the RN from VC 45 DBP 73.96 34.44 9246b 9742b
75% of the RN from VC 30 DBP 75.63 33.26 9888b 10294b
75% of the RN from VC 45 DBP 78.86 34.87 10457 ab
11073ab
100% of the RN from VC 30 DBP 80.97 36.26 12338 a
12975a
100% of the RN from VC 45 DBP 73.23 32.43 10226 ab
10798ab
150% of the RN from VC 30 DBP 76.67 33.50 8444 bc
9038bc
150% RN from VC 45 DBP 76.83 33.94 10092 ab
10569b
LSD 0.05 NS NS 2278.6 2206.6
CV (%) 4.99 20.64 13.6 12.58
*. **, ***Significant at p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively; NS= not significant. Means with the same letter in column are not significantly different
at p<0.05; LSD: Least Significant Difference; PH: plant height, AGB: above ground biomass, FD: Fruit diameter, VC: Vermicompost, DBP: Day before
planting and RN= recommended nitrogen.

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 Intl. J. Water Resources & Environ Sci.., 11(2): 33-39, 2022

Fig. 2: Yield of tomato under different rate and time application vermicompost

Higher yield and yield components were found after Previous studies suggest that an integrated soil
the treatments with vermicompost, which is consistent fertility management approach may have more sustainable
with previous research showing that crop plants had agronomic and economic impact than a focus on chemical
increased height after vermicompost was applied in our fertilizer alone. Togun and Akanbi [25] also indicated that
case, the application of different concentration of application of vermicompost and fertilizer improved plant
vermicompost showed increased accumulation of N, P and growth and doubled grain yield in comparison to fertilizer
K, which intern, resulted in increased yields and yield alone.
components and soil quality parameters as well. The
observed changes in plant growth and yields could be as CONCLUSION
a result of buffering activities of vermicompost and
improved nutrition. The obtained results from the present Because of escalating price of industrial fertilizer its
study indicated that the application of the used use become seriously limited. On the other hand, the
vermicompost led to better growth and development of application of chemical fertilizers over a long period has
vermicompost treated plants as they were shown with resulted in poor soil health, reduction in produce and
higher yield and yield components of tomato. Level of increase in incidences of pest and disease and
significance could result from the improved nutrition, environmental pollution. Understanding the soil resource
stimulated rooting and induced changes of metabolic in an area and adoptions of management options to
process and achievement of neutral pH at 100% of the improve the productivity of soils is necessary for
recommended nitrogen from vermicompost treated sustainable use. Use of vermicompost and other organic
planting media [20]. amendments has been proved to enhance agricultural
According to reports from Shankar et al. [21], tomato productivity significantly by improving soil properties
fruits fertilized with vermicompost reach an average such as soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon,
individual weight of ~ 120 g, because the nutrients total nitrogen, available phosphorous, CEC and
available to the plant from vermicompost favor the exchangeable cations. Vermicompost applications also
production of larger and heavier fruits [22]. Vermicompost significantly increased growth and yield of tomato.
had an effect on tomato weight and size, since the These studies should be designed to elucidate the
essential nutrients in the applied vermicompost are similar impacts of organic fertilizers on soil microbial processes
to those reported by [21, 23], who mention that and nutrient cycling on different soil types, to increase
vermicompost provide the nutrients needed for a good tomato yields under sustainable production systems.
plant development. The structural improvement of the Optimizing fertilizer management to maximize yields and
cultivation soil favors the activity of microorganisms, quality while reducing the use of inorganic fertilizer and
which influence the exchange of nutrients and the plant maintaining good-quality soil. Accordingly, application of
potential to grow and increase the production volume of vermicompost of 100% of the recommended nitrogen from
tomato [24]. The nutrients in a medium such as vermicompost 30 days before planting could be
vermicompost are assimilated by the plant in higher recommended to achieve optimum yield of tomato and
concentration since they have greater bioavailability as improve soil fertility of the study area.
observed in the present study, thereby supporting plant
growth and development in a relatively short time, leading Data Availability: The data used to support the findings
to an earlier onset of fruit formation and production of this study are included in the results part of the
compared to the control plants. manuscript

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 Intl. J. Water Resources & Environ Sci.., 11(2): 33-39, 2022

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