The Role of Vermitechnology in Plant Growth and Nutrient Enhancement
摘要
Rapid urbanization, economic expansion, and population growth have intensified the problem of managing organic waste from domestic agriculture and firms, posing serious environmental and financial dangers. The improper disposal of waste endangers the environment and increases the risk of disease spread. In order to address this global issue, this study reviews the role of vermitechnology in plant growth and nutrient enhancement. The chapter explores the process of vermicomposting for both organic and inorganic materials, including the production of vermiwash as a biocide and fertilizer. It covers the management of organic solid waste (OSW) and earthworms, factors affecting vermicomposting efficiency, and the reduction in material weight during the process. Additionally, it discusses moisture requirements, the interaction between aeration and oxygen availability, the influence of raw material particle size on composting, and plant growth in relation to nutrient availability. The chapter also examines direct nutrient uptake by plants from the soil and the role of symbiotic relationships with soil microorganisms in nutrient acquisition. Notably, the chapter describes vermicomposting as an environmentally friendly technological approach for managing OSW. More so, the chapter emphasizes the critical necessity of vermitechnology to be a method that emerges as a sustainable solution for agricultural and sanitary applications by utilizing the potential of earthworms to digest organic waste. This chapter concludes that the problems created by rising organic waste can be efficiently addressed through the incorporation of vermitechnology, paving the way for a more ecologically conscious and resource-efficient future.