Effect of macrophyte vermicompost on growth and productivity of brinjal (Solanum melongena) under field conditions

Background Macrophytes (fresh water plants) comprise adiverse group of the flora which play important roles in themaintenance of trophic food chains and biogeochemicalprocesses, but are deleterious when present in excess.However, due to various anthropogenic activities, there isaccumulation of nutrients in aquatic ecosystems resultingin massive macrophytic growth. These weeds do not possessany economic value and remain laid on lake shoresafter harvesting and become a source of odor problem, thusposing a challenge to the lake management authorities regardingtheir proper disposal. However, vermicompostingturns these macrophytes into materials useful in horticulture/agriculture for restoration of soil fertility, in additionto providing a solution to the nuisance of harvested weeds.Results The study was conducted to investigate the effectof different rates (2, 4 and 6 t/ha) of macrophyte-basedvermicompost on germination, growth and yield of Solanummelongena under field conditions. The data revealedthat different rates of vermicompost produced varied andsignificant effect (P.05) as compared to the control ongermination, growth and yield parameters with maximumvalue recorded at 6 t/ha, followed by 4 t/ha and the least at2 t/ha. The dose of 6 t/ha significantly (P.05) increasedgermination (22.56 ± 2.5 %), number of fruits perplant (3.55 ± 0.07) mean fruit weight (73 ± 5.0 g), yieldper plant (1.48 ± 0.05 kg) and marketable fruits(28.66 ± 3.0 %) when compared with the control. Thestudy suggests that macrophyte-based vermicompost as apotential source of plant nutrients for sustainable cropproduction.Conclusion Macrophyte-based vermicompost is an efficientquality yielder and economy enhancer for sustainableagriculture especially for the communities having vegetablegardens around lakes will benefit by using macrophyte vermicompost,a balanced and low-cost organic fertilizer.