The Effects of Vermicompost on Field Turnips and Rainfall Runoff

Compost Science & Utilization, (2007), Vol. 15, No. 1, 34-39

John J. Classen, J. Mark Rice and Rhonda Sherman
Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina

Vermicompost made from separated swine waste solids (0, 10, or 20% by volume of soil) was applied to turnips in small field plots during four growing seasons to determine the effect on plant growth, runoff volume and nutrients in runoff. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer was controlled by supplementing half the plots with inorganic nitrogen to balance the nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for turnips. Vermicompost addition increased fresh weight of fruit and foliage by a factor of two to five and increased dry weight by a factor of three with no increase in nitrogen but higher phosphorus in runoff. Runoff volume was lower in plots that received vermicompost compared to control plots.

Copyright 2007, The JG Press, Inc.