Effect of Vermicompost Application on Nitrogen Transformation in Soil

Abstract

Aim: To know the effect of vermicompost application on nitrogen transformation in soil. Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Place of Study: Experimental site of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour. Methodology: The present study includes two pot experiments i.e., with and without the effect of root rhizosphere of cauliflower have been conducted. The different of nitrogen were analysed from both the experiments by using standard methods. Results: Available nitrogen content increased slowly and reached to peak at 40th day and 50th day that may be due to the addition of organic substrate through vermicompost which leads to the maximum activity of microbes. Ammonium N content changes in soil are quite similar to the available nitrogen in a greenhouse study. But in incubation study changes is differ. Nitrate nitrogen content changes quite dissimilar to the ammonium content. Nitrate content increased slowly and reached to a maximum at the 40th day after addition of vermicompost in both experiments. N content in cauliflower whole plant significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.88**) to soil available nitrogen content. Conclusion: From the presented study, it may be inferred that ten days prior application of vermicompost can provide maximum support of nitrogen to the plant which can maximize nitrogen use efficiency for crop production.