FARMER'S NOTEBOOK
Coconut leaf vermiwash stimulates crop yield
M.J. PRABU
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It improves the germination rate and vigour of seeds
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— Photo: CPCRI
GROWTH PROMOTER: Vermiwash spray promotes lush growth in crops.
ORGANIC FARMING has been gaining a lot of momentum in Indian agriculture of late. Farmers are encouraged to go for natural, chemical free methods of cultivation for their crops. Animal wastes and plant residues such as dried leaves are converted in nutrient rich vermicompost in organic farming.
Increasing yield
Coconut farmers may have special benefits because researchers at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod in Kerala have developed a technique of making vermiwash from coconut palms to increase crop yield.
Farmers normally used the dried fallen coconut palms as a mulching material for their coconut trees. Now the research team has isolated a local strain of earthworm capable of vermicomposting the highly lignin and phenol rich coconut leaves.
Foliar spray
Vermiwash is the brown coloured liquid fertilizer collected after passage of water through a column of worm culture. It is very useful as a foliar spray for all crops.
It is a collection of excretory products and excess secretions of earthworms along with micronutrients from soil organic molecules.
Vermiwash can be produced by allowing water to percolate through the tunnels made by the earthworms on the coconut leaf - cow dung substrate kept in a 200 litre plastic barrel. Water is allowed to fall drop by drop from a pot hung above the barrel into the vermicomposting system. After 45-50 days, clear brown coloured liquid collects at the bottom of the barrel.
The collection can be carried for another two cycles. Then, the content of the barrel should be removed and fresh substrate along with earthworms should be added.
Farmers can make an exit hole in the tanks built for large-scale vermicompost production and collect the vermiwash regularly.
Alkaline in nature
Fresh coconut leaf vermiwash is alkaline in nature and contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, calcium, magnesium and zinc in appreciable quantities, according to Dr. Murali Gopal, Senior Scientist of the institute.
It also contains sugars, amino acids and phenols along with plant growth promoting hormones such as indole acetic acid, gibberellic acid, and humic acid.
The fresh vermiwash harbours a large number of beneficial microorganisms that help in plant growth and protects it from a number of infestations.
Germination rate
Laboratory studies have proved that coconut leaf vermiwash improves the germination percentage of the seeds and seedling vigour of seeds such as cowpea and paddy crops, according to Dr Murali Gopal.
"Experiments conducted on nutmeg, clove, pepper and vanilla have proved that the application of vermiwash has resulted in better shoot growth and more leaf production," he explained.
Vermiwash application has increased higher root biomass with a number of fine root hairs that improve the water and mineral absorption capacity of plants.
Vermiwash application stimulated the number of microorganisms particularly the free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil especially at the root region of the crops.
"Experiments conducted on bhendi (ladies' finger) showed that gall formation, a common infestation, was greatly controlled by regular application of vermiwash," Dr. Murali Gopal noted.
Dilute before applying
Farmers should take care to dilute the vermiwash before applying as if it is used without dilution it can lead to the death of the crop, according to him.
It is advisable to dilute coconut leaf vermiwash 5 to 10 times with water and then apply it to crops.
For more information readers can contact Dr. Murali Gopal, Senior Scientist, Microbiology Section, CPCRI, Kasaragod - 671124, Kerala,phone:04994-232893, email: mgcpcri@yahoo.co.in
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