rate of 80% germination of tomato seeds was observed in Parthenium and sludgemediated vermin extract. The combination of Parthenium and cow dung enhanced
the nutrient value of the compost and increased the germination of Arachis
hypogaea. The toxicity of allelochemicals could be minimized though compost
(Rajiv et al. 2013). When Parthenium-mediated vermicompost was analysed with
vermicompost produced from another weed Argemone mexicana, the higher concentration of nitrogen was seen in Parthenium vermicompost than other weeds.
Overall NPK value is also observed in higher concentration in both the weeds
(Mistry et al. 2015). In various physical, chemical and biochemical characteristics
that were tested, the vermicomposting seemed to be plant-friendly, giving finest
results after applied at concentrations of 1.5% in soil (w/w) (Hussain et al. 2015). In a
similar way, the experiments can be carried out with other terrestrial weeds which
are major constituents of agricultural land and also available in other land covers.
The significance of vermicompost prepared by these terrestrial weeds can be
analysed and can be initiated for a large scale. There are so many terrestrial weeds
and dominating invasive species. The compost prepared out of it can be used as
organic fertilizer and soil conditioner.
Adequate moisture content is the major requirement for efficient vermicompost
by the worms. Basically the moisture level higher than 50% is required. In the initial
characterization for all the plant weed substrates, the moisture level is between 70%
and 80%. The C/N ratio is also in the range of 25–30 for all the plant substrate which
is suitable for the rapid degradation by the earthworms and makes an excellent
environment (Munroe 2007).
Parthenium competition increased with an increase in its dry mass up to 448%
and relative competition index up to 52%, and consistent increases in the uptake of N
(up to 581%), P (up to 700%) and K (up to 669%) were also recorded; competition
period of Parthenium weed competition period is 35 DAE decreased of grain yield
and produces index of maize (Safdar et al. 2016). Over the competitive displacement, it can cause up to 90% degeneration in the herbaceous constituent of natural
plant communities where this weed invades (Mahadevappa 1997). As the growth of
Parthenium increased, NPK-uptake was also increased. In this weed-crop competition with agriculture crops, it was observed that uptake of Parthenium during the
different competition period at the range of 2.7–18.4, 0.2–2.4 and 2.3–17.7 N, P and
K kg/ha, respectively, at its different competition periods (Safdar et al. 2016).
Also a study conducted on the impact of kitchen waste, water hyacinth and
Parthenium weed vermicompost on the growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum
Mill. var. Pusa Ruby) revealed that various vermicomposts in various concentrations
have a positive impact on the growth of tomatoes (Rampal and Sharma 2006). The
study conducted on the vermicompost production potential of various species of
earthworms, viz. Amynthas diffringens, Metaphire houlleti and Octolasion tyrtaeum
on Parthenium weed, reported that each species successfully vermicomposted the
Parthenium weed and the vermicompost production of Octolasion tyrtaeum was
highest among the three species (Rampal and Sharma 2007). Also the physicochemical characteristics of Parthenium weed vermicompost produced by three local
species were observed to be high in Parthenium weed vermicompost (Sharma 2017).
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D. Sharma and A. B. Chowdhary
the nutrient value of the compost and increased the germination of Arachis
hypogaea. The toxicity of allelochemicals could be minimized though compost
(Rajiv et al. 2013). When Parthenium-mediated vermicompost was analysed with
vermicompost produced from another weed Argemone mexicana, the higher concentration of nitrogen was seen in Parthenium vermicompost than other weeds.
Overall NPK value is also observed in higher concentration in both the weeds
(Mistry et al. 2015). In various physical, chemical and biochemical characteristics
that were tested, the vermicomposting seemed to be plant-friendly, giving finest
results after applied at concentrations of 1.5% in soil (w/w) (Hussain et al. 2015). In a
similar way, the experiments can be carried out with other terrestrial weeds which
are major constituents of agricultural land and also available in other land covers.
The significance of vermicompost prepared by these terrestrial weeds can be
analysed and can be initiated for a large scale. There are so many terrestrial weeds
and dominating invasive species. The compost prepared out of it can be used as
organic fertilizer and soil conditioner.
Adequate moisture content is the major requirement for efficient vermicompost
by the worms. Basically the moisture level higher than 50% is required. In the initial
characterization for all the plant weed substrates, the moisture level is between 70%
and 80%. The C/N ratio is also in the range of 25–30 for all the plant substrate which
is suitable for the rapid degradation by the earthworms and makes an excellent
environment (Munroe 2007).
Parthenium competition increased with an increase in its dry mass up to 448%
and relative competition index up to 52%, and consistent increases in the uptake of N
(up to 581%), P (up to 700%) and K (up to 669%) were also recorded; competition
period of Parthenium weed competition period is 35 DAE decreased of grain yield
and produces index of maize (Safdar et al. 2016). Over the competitive displacement, it can cause up to 90% degeneration in the herbaceous constituent of natural
plant communities where this weed invades (Mahadevappa 1997). As the growth of
Parthenium increased, NPK-uptake was also increased. In this weed-crop competition with agriculture crops, it was observed that uptake of Parthenium during the
different competition period at the range of 2.7–18.4, 0.2–2.4 and 2.3–17.7 N, P and
K kg/ha, respectively, at its different competition periods (Safdar et al. 2016).
Also a study conducted on the impact of kitchen waste, water hyacinth and
Parthenium weed vermicompost on the growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum
Mill. var. Pusa Ruby) revealed that various vermicomposts in various concentrations
have a positive impact on the growth of tomatoes (Rampal and Sharma 2006). The
study conducted on the vermicompost production potential of various species of
earthworms, viz. Amynthas diffringens, Metaphire houlleti and Octolasion tyrtaeum
on Parthenium weed, reported that each species successfully vermicomposted the
Parthenium weed and the vermicompost production of Octolasion tyrtaeum was
highest among the three species (Rampal and Sharma 2007). Also the physicochemical characteristics of Parthenium weed vermicompost produced by three local
species were observed to be high in Parthenium weed vermicompost (Sharma 2017).
198
D. Sharma and A. B. Chowdhary