Gurvinder SinghLudhiana: A study by researchers at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has found that the use of “vermiwash“ can improve growth, productivity and soil health, offering a sustainable approach to integrated nutrient management.The study, titled “Effect of vermiwash and iron oxide nanoparticles on growth and productivity of chickpea,” was conducted by MSc scholar Rajwinder Kaur, soil chemist Neeraj Rani and assistant professor Nitish Dingra of PAU.The researchers prepared vermiwash using different organic residues, including rice straw, wheat straw, kitchen waste and neem leaves mixed with cow dung in a 1:1 ratio. Laboratory analysis showed that kitchen waste-derived vermiwash contained the highest concentration of nutrients, making it the most suitable medium for synthesising iron oxide nanoparticles.Rajwinder Kaur said vermiwash helps make nutrients, particularly micronutrients, more readily available to plants.“We prepared several formulations using different organic residues, but the vermiwash derived from kitchen waste performed the best,” she said.She explained that only suitable biodegradable kitchen waste was used in the preparation process. Citrus peels, onion skins and ginger were deliberately excluded as they can adversely affect earthworms. Instead, milder organic materials such as banana peels, cucumber peels and similar vegetable waste were used.“I collected the kitchen waste from the university mess and ensured that citrus waste was not added,” she said.She said vermiwash collection can begin within 15 to 20 days of setting up the unit, making it a relatively quick and economical input for farmers.The iron oxide nanoparticles synthesised using vermiwash were tested for seed priming. The study found that a certain concentration produced thebest results, resulting in higher seed germination, improved root and shoot growth and greater biomass.Field trials conducted during the Rabi 2023-24 season at PAU and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Samrala, further demonstrated that integrated nutrient management comprising the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), optimum iron oxide nanoparticles and vermiwash spray significantly enhanced plant growth, yield and quality over conventional practices and untreated control plots. The test was done on chickpea crop.The best-performing treatment also improved nutrient uptake by the crop. Chickpea grains recorded better nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.Neeraj Rani, soil chemist at PAU’s School of Organic Farming said when it comes to supplying nutrients directly to the leaves, foliar application of vermiwash was found more effective than applying vermicompost. She said the trials have shown promising results, indicating that vermiwash could become an effective supplement to conventional nutrient management practices.What is VermiwashVermiwash is a nutrient-dense liquid biofertiliser obtained by passing water through a bed containing earthworms, vermicompost and organic matter. Farmers commonly dilute vermiwash with water and spray it on crops as a foliar feed or apply it to the soil to promote plant growth, improve nutrient uptake, enhance resistance to pests and diseases, and boost crop yield. As an eco-friendly and cost-effective input, vermiwash is widely used in organic and sustainable farming to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
