Field experiments were conducted during 1994–95 and 1995–96 on a red sandy clay loam soil at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai to evaluate the efficacy of vermicomposts prepared from different organic materials like sugarcane trash, ipomea, parthenium, neem leaves and banana peduncle to increase the yield of rice and the soil fertility status. Vermicomposts prepared from the abqve organic materials were tried at 5 and 10 t ha−1 with N, P and K at recommended levels. The results showed that the grain yields were significantly higher in the treatments that received vermicompost from any of the above organic materials plus N, P and K at recommended levels than in the treatmcnt that received N, P, K alone. Organic carbon content and fertility status as reflected by the available status of N, P and K, micronutrients and CEC were higher and bulk density lower in the treatments that received vermicompost plus N, P and K than in the treatment with N, P and K alone. It was found that, vermicompost at 5 t ha−1 would be sufficient for rice crop when applied with recommended levels of N, P and K.
Vermicompost, Ipomea, Parthenium, bananapeduncle
