Impact of pigeon pea substrate on physico-chemical properties of vermicompost

Abstract

This study, conducted from May, 2023 to January, 2024 at Navsari Agricultural University, Bharuch, India, evaluated the physical properties of vermicomposting pigeon pea stalks using different ratios of cattle dung (CD) and pigeon pea stalk (PPS), supplemented with bacterial biodecomposer consortium (BBC) and earthworms (EE). At 120 and 150 days, lowest pH was recorded in the 50% CD + 50% PPS + 10 g BBC + EE (T8) treatment at 7.14. The significantly lower EC was noted in the treatment of 40% CD + 60% PPS + 10 g BBC (T6) which was 1.48, 1.29 and 1.19 dS/m at 90, 120 and 150 days, respectively. Whereas at 30 and 60 days, it was noted in the treatment of 50% CD + 50% PPS + EE (T2) which was 2.98, 2.67 and 2.14 dS/m, respectively. The total organic carbon content of the 60% CD + 40% PPS + 10 g BBC + EE (T7) treatment was significantly lower at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days (40.20%, 36.80%, 31.50%, 31.00% and 30.30%), and it was found to be statistically comparable to the 50% CD + 50% PPS + 10 g BBC + EE (T8) treatment at 30, 60, 120, and 150 days. The significantly higher moisture content (77.58% at 30 days) was found in the treatment of 50% CD + 50% PPS + EE (T2) which was found statistically at par with the treatment of 60% CD + 40% PPS + EE (T1), 60% CD + 40% PPS + 10 g BBC (T4) and 60% CD + 40% PPS + 10 g BBC + EE (T7). Whereas, at 150 days, it was highest in the treatment of 60% CD + 40% PPS + 10 g BBC (T4) (41.81%) which was at par with the treatment of 60% CD + 40% PPS + EE (T1) and 60% CD + 40% PPS + 10 g BBC + EE (T7).