TY  - BOOK
AU  - Suja P R 
AU  - Sasikumar Nair (Guide)
TI  - Influence of Microflora Associated with Earthworm (Eudrilus Eugeniae Kinberg) and Vermicompost on Growth and Performance of Chilli. (Capsicum Annuum L.)
U1  - 632.3 
PY  - 1999///
CY  - Vellayani
PB  - Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture
N2  - The present investigation on 'Influence of microflora associated with 
earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae Kinberg) and vermicompost on growth and 
performance of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) was done at College of 
Agriculture, Vellayani during 1997-99 as part of a Science, Technology and 
Environment Department (Government of Kerala) funded research project. 
Among the surface microflora of Eudrilus eugeniae, the total number of 
bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were maximum on 45 day of compost 
formation. However, the number of nitrogen fixing bacteria was more on 60 
day. Similarly, in the case of gut micro flora, the total number of bacteria and 
fungi were maximum on 45 day of composting. However, the number of 
actinomycetes was more on 30 day. Nitrogen fixing bacteria could be isolated 
only on 15 day. 
In the vermicompost, the total number: of bacteria fungi and 
actinomycetes were maximum on 30,45 and 60 day respectively. The number 
of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen fixing bacteria were more on 
15 and 30 day of sampling. However, soilborne pathogens such as 
Pseudomonas solanacearum, Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp. were 
absent. 
 
There were significant differences in the growth rate of various isolates 
of nitrogen fixing bacteria in Jensen's nitrogen free broth. The mean optical 
density for isolate 3 was significantly higher than rest of isolates. The 
nitrogen fixing ability of this isolate was also higher. The isolate 3 was 
selected for enrichment of vermicompost. Based on various morphological 
and physiological characters, this isolate was tentatively identified as 
Azotobacter sp. 
Among the different isolates of phosphate solubilizing bacteria, the 
isolate 1 which showed maximum solubilization of tricalcium phosphate in 
modified Pikovskaya's broth was selected for enrichment of vermicompost. 
Based on the various morphological and physiological characters, the isolate 1 
was tentatively identified as Pseudomonas sp. 
In the study on the enrichment of vermicompost with nitrogen fixing 
bacteria on growth of chilli, the shoot fresh and dry weights were significantly 
high in the treatment combination receiving vermicompost enriched with 
Azotobacter sp. along with 50 per cent nitrogen (N3P1K+VN) when compared 
to the control treatment. The per plant yield was significantly high in the 
treatment combination with 100 per cent nitrogen and vermicompost enriched 
with Azotobacter sp. (NIP1K+VN) followed by that receiving 75 per cent 
nitrogen and vermicompost enriched with Azotobacter sp. (N2P1K +VN). 
 
In the study on the use of vermicompost enriched with phosphate 
solubilizing bacteria, there were significantly earlier onset of flowering and 
significantly higher number of fruits formed per plant in the treatment 
combination of 100 per cent phosphorus along with vermicompost enriched 
with Pseudomonas sp. There were no significant differences between 
treatments in the keeping quality of chilli harvested from treatments with 
enriched vermicompost. 
III the interaction study between Eudrilus eugeniae or Megascolex sp. 
and Pythium aphanidermatum, there was 100 per cent seedling mortality in 
treatments such as. POP(F)+P and POP(V)+P where the application of 
Pythium aphanidermatum was coupled with surface injury in the collar region 
of seedlings. But in the absence of such an induced injury, there was no 
incidence of damping off. However, in these treatments the plant growth was 
generally poor in height, fresh and dry weight of roots. At the same time, the 
plant growth was better in treatments without pathogen inoculation. The 
number of branches formed was significantly high in POP(F)+E and 
POP(V)+E treatments where Eudrilus eugeniae was applied when compared 
to that of the control treatment. 
The treatment with vermicompost alone (POP (V» recorded 
significantly earlier onset of flowering. The number of fruits formed per plant 
 
	
and per plant yield were significantly higher in the treatment with farm yard 
manure and Eudrilus eugeniae (POP (F)+E) compared to the control. 
Significant differences between treatments were observed in the onset 
of flowering, number of fruits formed and in the per plant yield of chilli due to 
the combined application of Megascolex sp. and Pythium aphanidermatum. 
Flower initiation was earlier as well as the number of fruits formed were also 
significantly high in the treatments with vermicompost either alone (POP (V» 
or in combination with Megascolex sp. (POP(V)+M). The treatment with 
vermicompost alone recorded the highest per plant yield. 
There were no significant differences between treatments in the keeping 
quality of chilli harvested from treatments with or without the application of 
either Eudrilus or Megascolex sp. and Pythium aphanidermatum. 


UR  - https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810155010
ER  -