Potentiality of Vermicomposting in the South Pacific Island Countries: A Review

Randy Carlie Pierre-Louis, Md. Abdul Kader, Nandakumar M Desai and Eleanor H John
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Randy Carlie Pierre-Louis: School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva 1168, Fiji
Md. Abdul Kader: School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva 1168, Fiji
Nandakumar M Desai: School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva 1168, Fiji
Eleanor H John: School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva 1168, Fiji

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Incorporation of vermin culture in the composting system produces “vermicompost”, an enriched biofertilizer known to improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. It is applied in granular form and/or in liquid solution (vermiwash), and in both open fields and greenhouses. Vermicompost has been shown to contain plant growth hormones, which stimulate seed germination and improve crop yield, the ‘marketability’ of products, plant physiology, and their ability to fight against disease. In recent years, South Pacific island countries (SPICs) have placed an increasing emphasis on the importance of organic agricultural practices as a means of achieving more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices. However, vermiculture is not practiced in South Pacific island countries (SPICs) largely due to the lack of awareness of this type of application. We consider the inclusion of vermiculture in this region as a potential means of achieving sustainable organic agricultural practices. This study represents a systematic review in which we collect relevant information on vermicomposting and analyze the applicability of this practice in the SPICs based on these nations’ physical, socioeconomic, and climatic conditions. The tropical climate of the SPICs means that they meet the combined requirements of a large available biomass for composting and the availability of earthworms. Perionyx excavatus and Pontoscolex corethrurus have been identified as potential native earthworm species for vermicomposting under the conditions of the SPICs. Eisenia fetida, a well-known earthworm species, is also effectively adapted to this region and reported to be an efficient species for commercial vermicomposting. However, as a new input into the local production system, there may be unforeseen barriers in the initial stages, as with other advanced technologies, and the introduction of vermiculture as a practice requires a steady effort and adaptive research to achieve success. Further experimental research is required to analyze the productivity and profitability of using the identified native earthworm species for vermiculture using locally available biomass in the SPICs.

Keywords: vermicompost; vermiwash; plants nutrients; organic fertilizer; South Pacific island countries (SPICs) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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