which was significantly increased (7.88 Æ 1.08 mg plant
À1 ) in T 5 treatment
(Fig. 13.10). Though all the vermicompost treatments increased K uptake in tea
plants, the difference was not statistically significant for other treatments.
Application of organic matter improves soil health by increasing chemical,
biochemical and microbial properties in soil (Pramanik et al. 2010). Low K content
in mica waste-amended vermicompost might be attributed to the lower plant growth
in these treatments. However, application of mica waste and vermicompost combination had shown significantly better response over vermicompost prepared
amending same amount of mica waste. Vermicompost is a humic substrate-enriched
organic amendment (Pramanik et al. 2007), and application of mica waste and
vermicompost combination released more K in soil as compared to sole
vermicompost treatment. Humic substrates alter crystal structure of mica waste
and that in turn facilitate release of K from its inter-lattice space (Pramanik et al.
2019). In this study, application of vermicompost in combination with 10% mica
waste (weight basis) had the potential to significantly increase plant growth and K
availability in soil.
13.9 Conclusion
Addition of 50 g mica waste with each kilogram of waste materials was effective to
increase TK content in the final vermicompost; however, mica waste addition at
higher rates leads to the reduction in TK content in vermicompost as compared to
conventional vermicompost. The gut of E. eugeniae harbours KSB, which plays an
important role in solubilizing bound K in injected materials during
vermicomposting. Application of vermicompost, prepared from mica wasteamended organic substrates, did not increase K availability in soil, whereas combined application of conventional vermicompost with mica waste was effective to
increase K availability in soil and that in turn recorded higher plant growth and K
uptake in tea. Under controlled condition, vermicompost in combination with 10%
mica waste (weight basis) had the potential to increase plant growth and K availability in soil.
Acknowledgement The corresponding author is thankful to the Director of Tea Research Association and Deputy Director of North Bengal Regional R&D Centre, Nagrakata, for kindly
providing the facilities to conduct the project work. The work of this chapter was financially
supported by the funding of the National Tea Research Foundation (NTRF), Tea Board of India
(NTRF: 183/2016).
13 Evaluating Method of Mica Waste Application in Earthworm Cast-Treated Soil for. . . 223
À1 ) in T 5 treatment
(Fig. 13.10). Though all the vermicompost treatments increased K uptake in tea
plants, the difference was not statistically significant for other treatments.
Application of organic matter improves soil health by increasing chemical,
biochemical and microbial properties in soil (Pramanik et al. 2010). Low K content
in mica waste-amended vermicompost might be attributed to the lower plant growth
in these treatments. However, application of mica waste and vermicompost combination had shown significantly better response over vermicompost prepared
amending same amount of mica waste. Vermicompost is a humic substrate-enriched
organic amendment (Pramanik et al. 2007), and application of mica waste and
vermicompost combination released more K in soil as compared to sole
vermicompost treatment. Humic substrates alter crystal structure of mica waste
and that in turn facilitate release of K from its inter-lattice space (Pramanik et al.
2019). In this study, application of vermicompost in combination with 10% mica
waste (weight basis) had the potential to significantly increase plant growth and K
availability in soil.
13.9 Conclusion
Addition of 50 g mica waste with each kilogram of waste materials was effective to
increase TK content in the final vermicompost; however, mica waste addition at
higher rates leads to the reduction in TK content in vermicompost as compared to
conventional vermicompost. The gut of E. eugeniae harbours KSB, which plays an
important role in solubilizing bound K in injected materials during
vermicomposting. Application of vermicompost, prepared from mica wasteamended organic substrates, did not increase K availability in soil, whereas combined application of conventional vermicompost with mica waste was effective to
increase K availability in soil and that in turn recorded higher plant growth and K
uptake in tea. Under controlled condition, vermicompost in combination with 10%
mica waste (weight basis) had the potential to increase plant growth and K availability in soil.
Acknowledgement The corresponding author is thankful to the Director of Tea Research Association and Deputy Director of North Bengal Regional R&D Centre, Nagrakata, for kindly
providing the facilities to conduct the project work. The work of this chapter was financially
supported by the funding of the National Tea Research Foundation (NTRF), Tea Board of India
(NTRF: 183/2016).
13 Evaluating Method of Mica Waste Application in Earthworm Cast-Treated Soil for. . . 223