Low-Cost Vermi-Composting Technology and Its Application in Bio-Conversion of Obnoxious Weed Flora of North-Western Himalayas into Vermi-Compost

Abstract

A low-cost ​v​e​rmicomposting​ technology was developed for bio-conversion of obnoxious weed-flora of north-western (NW) Himalayas. Using this technology, an extensive on-station and on-farm experimentation was done during 2006–2012 in India utilizing four obnoxious weeds viz. Artemisia vulgaris, Ageratum conyzoides, Erigeron canadensis and Bidens pilosa and farm-yard-manure (control). The on-station study revealed that Artemisia vulgaris vermicompost contained significantly highest nitrogen (N; 1.26%) and phosphorus (P; 0.89%) content while Ageratum conyzoides was the second best alternative for vermicomposting (Nitrogen-1.23%, phosphorus-0.82%, and potassium (K)-0.76%). In the on-farm study, Artemisia vulgaris and Ageratum conyzoides vermicomposts again showed their superiority over farm-yard-manure, indicating their potentiality as vermicomposting materials in NW Himalayas. Higher technology adoption rate for different technology components (71–100%) of low-cost vermicomposting technology in study area again shows its acceptability among Himalayan farmers. In nutshell, this low-cost vermicomposting technology and its application in bio-conversion of obnoxious weed-flora as vermicompost holds great promises for hill agriculture in NW Himalayas.