The Growth-Promoting Effect of Earthworm Vermiwash on House Tomato Plants

Shin-ichi Akazawa (), Tsagaankhuu Badamkhatan, Kennosuke Omiya, Yumi Shimizu, Nana Hasegawa, Kazuki Sakai, Kenji Kamimura, Akiko Takeuchi and Yuki Murakami
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Shin-ichi Akazawa: Department of Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, 888 Nishikatakai, Nagaoka 940-8532, Japan
Tsagaankhuu Badamkhatan: Department of Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, 888 Nishikatakai, Nagaoka 940-8532, Japan
Kennosuke Omiya: Department of Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, 888 Nishikatakai, Nagaoka 940-8532, Japan
Yumi Shimizu: Department of Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, 888 Nishikatakai, Nagaoka 940-8532, Japan
Nana Hasegawa: Department of Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, 888 Nishikatakai, Nagaoka 940-8532, Japan
Kazuki Sakai: Department of Electronic Control Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, 888 Nishikatakai, Nagaoka 940-8532, Japan
Kenji Kamimura: Department of Electronic Control Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, 888 Nishikatakai, Nagaoka 940-8532, Japan
Akiko Takeuchi: Department of Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, 888 Nishikatakai, Nagaoka 940-8532, Japan
Yuki Murakami: Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Nagaoka College, 888 Nishikatakai, Nagaoka 940-8532, Japan

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-14

Abstract: Earthworm vermiwash, a by-product of the vermicomposting process and a light-brown-colored liquid rich in macro- and micronutrients that are essential for plant growth, has recently emerged as a potential tool for sustainable agriculture. It is expected to have antimicrobial, antipest, and soil-stabilizing effects. However, little is known about the optimal composition and dosage of vermiwashes, and the long-term stability is still unknown. Here, we investigated the long-term stability of vermiwash content and conducted a growth test on house tomatoes treated with different concentrations of vermiwash. The phosphate and potassium contents of the vermiwash were remarkably stable over time; however, if the initial ammonium content was high, the content changed with temperature, and nitrate-nitrogen was increased. Our results suggested that the vermiwash can be preserved at any temperature as both nitrogen components are helpful for plant growth. The vermiwash treatment outperformed the other two treatments in terms of plant height and fruit size. The threshold vermiwash nitrogen level was approximately 17.5–35 mg/L per week. Although an ideal ratio is advisable, earthworm vermiwash does not inhibit growth even at high concentrations. Thus, vermiwash is a sufficiently stable, beneficial liquid plant fertilizer.

Keywords: earthworm; Eisenia andrei; Eisenia fetida; vermiwash; liquid fertilizer; tomato; vermiwash stability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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