Enhancement in the productivity of ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) with concomitant pest control by the vermicompost of the weed salvinia (Salvinia molesta, Mitchell)

Purpose In a novel attempt, vermicompost derived froman intransigent and noxious weed salvinia was assessed forits fertilizer value and pest repellent properties.Methods In outdoor experiments which simulated the wayvegetables are cultivated by farmers, ladies finger (Abelmoschusesculentus) seeds were germinated and grown insoil supplemented with salvinia vermicompost at fourlevels: 0 (V0), 2.5 (V1), 3.75 (V2) and 5 (V3) t/ha. Besidesassessing germination success and subsequent growth,yield, and biochemical content of the plants, the impact ofpest attacks on them was also studied.Results Salvinia vermicompost significantly enhancedgermination success, growth, and yield of the plants.Maximum growth in terms of shoot length (96.2 cm), rootlength (48.2 cm), shoot and root dry weight (23.31,7.96 g), stem diameter (14.04 mm), and number of leavesand branches (26.8, 4.8) was recorded in V4 (5t/ha).Likewise, the mineral and biochemical content in vermicompost-treated plants was significantly higher than in thecontrols. The vermicompost also induced resistance inplants against pests and disease. Compared to the controls,vermicompost had reduced the fruit borer infection by 65,78 and 82% in V1, V2 and V3, respectively.Conclusion The toxicity of salvinia is largely eliminatedwhen it is vermicomposted, and the product acquires thequalities of a good organic fertilizer. The present work canpotentially lead to the development of an inexpensive,sustainable and eco-friendly method of utilizing billions oftons of phytomass that is generated annually by salvinia,and which presently goes to waste.