Abstract

                                Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of vermicompost on growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.) cv. CO1 at Annamalai University Experimental Farm, Annamiali Nagar. Locally, freely and easily available agricultural wastes like sugarcane trash and coirpith were used for compost preparation using earthworm (Euridilus eugeniae) and they were compared with well decomposed farm yard manure application. Enriched organic manure was prepared using 750 kg organic manure ha and the entire quantity of P,O, (80 kg ha), 30 days prior to application. There were twelve treatments comprising of three organic sources viz. well decomposed FYM, coirpith vermicompost and sugarcane trash vermicompost at four levels viz. 12.5 t ha', 10.0 t ha'', 7.5 t ha and 750 kg hat in enriched form. It was observed that when compared to FYM application at different levels, the growth character, yield attributes and yield of soyben were favourably influenced by the application of vermicompost at different levels. Higher growth, nodulation and yield values were recorded when vermicomposts were applied at 12.5 t ha and 750 kg ha' in enriched form.

Key words : Soybean, Vermicompost, FYM.