Effect of four different types of vermicomposts on okra productivity and farm income.

ABSTRACT

Organic based fertilizers is crucial for maintaining soil fertility, increasing crop production, and mitigating climate change. Among various organic fertilizers, vermicompost (VC) has been found to be one of the promising options for enhancing soil fertility and productivity. However, there are limited studies on the agronomic effects of vermicomposts in Nepal. In this study, a pot culture experiment was conducted inside a greenhouse to assess the agronomic and economic effects of four different commercially available vermicomposts, available in both reduced and original moisture forms, on okra. Nine treatments with three replications were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). These treatments included Divya vermicompost with both reduced (DvRM 28.82 %) and original moisture (DvOM 62.17 %); Praramva vermicompost with reduced (PvRM 29.63 %) and original moisture (PvOM 54.65 %), Bio-Comp vermicompost with reduced (BvRM 26.75 %) and original moisture (BvOM 49.77 %), Sathi vermicompost with reduced (SvRM 28.52 %) and original moisture (SvOM 65.18 %), and a control (CK non-fertilized treatment). All VC treatments, whether in reduced or original moisture forms, showed better performance on plant growth parameters and fruit yield compared to the control. There was no significant difference between the four types of VCs, in either moisture form. The average number of fruits per pot in VC treatments (ranging from 5.5 to 8.0 fruits per pot) increased by 94 % compared to CK (3.5 fruits). Similarly, total fruit yield increased by 126 % in VC treatments (ranging from 16213 kg ha-1 to 23193 kg ha-1) compared to the CK (8260 kg ha-1). The benefit to cost ratio (BC) of all the VCs was above 1 (BC > 1), ranging from 1.00 to 1.59, illustrating the economic benefit of using vermicompost in okra cultivation. The findings suggest that farmers should consider the widespread use of vermicomposts to increase both crop productivity and farm profitability, thereby sustaining their livelihoods.