Macro and micro nutrient profiling of vermicompost derived from cotton-based substrate

Abstract

An experiment was performed at College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, focusing on the nutrient status of vermicompost based on cotton residues obtained from the farm, which was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatments and three replications, lasting from May to October of the year 2022. Over the 150 day period, the compost was analyzed for N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn. Treatment 6 consisting 70% Cow dung, 30% Cotton residues with presence of both earthworms and consortia consistently demonstrated significantly higher macro and micro nutrient content. The process effectively transforms organic waste into a nutrient-rich amendment suitable for agricultural use, improving soil fertility and crop yield potential.