Browsing by Author "Ilangamudali, I.M.P.S."

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    Utilization of Different Plant Species available in Coconut Plantation to Produce Nutrient Rich Vermicompost
    (2015-06) Senarathne, S.H.S.; Ilangamudali, I.M.P.S.
    Vermicomposting is a well known technology that produces a valuable organic fertilizer from organic waste. Weeds in coconut plantations are good organic sources for vem1icompost production. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the quality of vermicompost produced by different weed or plant species commonly available in coconut plantations and also to evaluate the effect of these residues on the earth worm activity in the vermicomposting process. Vermicomposts were produced using different plant or weed species collected from coconut plantations in combination with cattle manure. The highest N content and worm growth was found in the vermicompost produced using Puereria phasioloides, Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversiJofia. The highest P content was recorded in vermicompost samples produced using Tithonia diversiJolia and Panicum maximum. Tithonia diversijolia, Pliereria phasioloides and GlirJc idia sepium showes significantly higher K content than the other plant species residues. Organic Carbon content was significantly high in vermicompost made with Tithonia diversiJolia, Gfiricidia sepium, Tephrosia pwpurea, Chromoleana odorata, PaniclInt maximum and Hyptis suaveolens. Worm mUltiplication rate was significantly lower % by Lantana camara, Chromofeana odorata, Hyptis suaveolens and Vernonie zeylanica substrates, possibly due to chemical compounds present in these plant species. The results shows that Gliricidia sepillll1, Puereria phasioloides and Tithonia diversiJolia are the best species for velm icomposting when compared with other weed species in coconut plantations.