Effect of Vermicompost on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Crop Prepared from Different Organic Substrates

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major staple crop, and its sustainable productivity depends on balanced use of NPK along with eco-friendly and organic inputs to maintain soil health and avoid nutrient deficiencies caused by excessive chemical use. A field experiment was conducted at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bamanwara farm during the rabi season 2025-26 to evaluate the activity of earthworms on different substrates (FYM, Crop residues and kitchen waste) and its effect on the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) A total 8 treatments of different organic substrates were used for to record the activity of earthworms @ 3000 earthworms per bed was released on same time. The prepared vermicompost were applied in the field conditions with three replications. The maximum activity of earthworms was recorded in T1 (100 % cow dung) followed by T3 (Cow Dung + Buffalo Dung) and T2 (100% Buffalo Dung). The lowest activity was recorded T5 (Buffalo Dung + Crop Residues) and T4 (Cow Dung + Crop Residues) after the Control (100 % FYM). The results revealed that the maximum growth of plants in terms of plant height, no. of tillers and biological yields was maximum in T1 (100 % cow dung) followed by T3 (Cow Dung + Buffalo Dung) and T2 (100% Buffalo Dung) while lowest plant growth was recorded in T5 (Buffalo Dung + Crop Residues) and T4 (Cow Dung + Crop Residues) after the Control (100 % FYM).  Percent increase in the grain yield over the control was 40.91 in T1 (100 % cow dung).