COMPARISON OF VERMICOMPOST AND LEAF MOLD ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CAPSICUM ANNUUM L.VAR. FRUTESCENS (L.) KUNTZE

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of vermicompost on the growth and yield ofCapsicum annuumvar. frutescens (Kantharimilagu). Vermicompost is a rich source of vitamins, enzymes, macro and micronutrients which when applied to plants help in efficient growth. The major thrust of this
investigation was focused on the growth and yield of Capsicumannuumvar. frutescensusing the vermicompost prepared by the earthworm species namely Eudriluseugeniaeon the biodegradation of Banana waste (Musasps) mixed with cow dung 3:1. The present study has been carried out to evaluate thephysico-chemical characteristics, micronutrients and macronutrients, and also a comparative study was done on the effect of vermicompost on growth parameters namely root length, shoot length, number of leaf and number of flower and length of fruits in Capsicum annuumvar. frutescens. The results of the study revealed that the plants treated withvermicompostshowed C/N ratio increasedin macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Na, Mg and C) and micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Mg and Zn) than the plants grown in leaf mold and control.The vermicompost applied plant (Capsicum annuumvar. frutescens) showed increased root and shoot length, number of leaves, number of flowers and length of fruits than the plants which are not treated with vermicompost. Hence based on the various biochemical studies performed it is concluded that this quality of bio solid vermicompost obtained from the degradation of banana wastes by Eudriluseugeniae is an effective biofertilizer which would facilitate the increased uptake of the nutrients by the plants resulting in higher growth and yield.