effect of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate in hydroponic growth of indian borage

UMT 11th International Annual Symposium on Sustainability Science and Management

09th 11th July 2012, Terengganu, Malaysia

e-ISBN 978-967-5366-93-2 210

Effect of Vermiwash and Vermicomposting Leachate in Hydroponics Culture

of Indian Borage (Plectranthus ambionicus) Plantlets.

Shlrene Quaik1, Asha Embrandiri

1, Parveen F. Rupani

1, Rajeev P. Singh

2, Mahamad H.

Ibrahim1

1Environmental Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains

Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia 2Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University,

Varanasi-5, India

Corresponding authors e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate in

hydroponic culture on growth of Indian Borage (Plectranthus amboinicus) plantlets. The vermiwash

and vermicomposting leachate were collected from the vermiwash and the vermicomposting unit of

pre-composted cow dung respectively. Vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate were diluted into

10% (v/v). Phytotoxicity test were carried out with the diluted solutions and water as control with

mung bean(Vigna radiata) seeds. Germination percentage of higher than 80% was obtained. Sodium

and potassium content of both liquids were determined. Potassium is presence in abundance in

vermiwash. The 10% solutions of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate were used as nutrient

solution for hydroponic culture of plantlets of Indian Borage. Results indicate that Indian Borage in

vermiwash showed pronounced root growth (15.73cm 1.3), total chlorophyll content (0.37 mg g-1

0.03) and carotenoids content (3.51 mg g-1

0.8) compared to vermicomposting leachate and control

samples. The study confirmed that both 10% vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate have

potential to be used in hydroponic culture but 10% of vermiwash exhibits superiority in growth as

well as in content of photosynthetic pigments.

Keywords: Vermiwash, vermicomposting leachate, hydroponics, Indian Borage (Plectranthus

ambionicus), plantlets

Introduction

Recently, more focus has been given to vermicomposting technique. This technology uses the

assistance of earthworms to stabilize the organic waste material and produces microorganism rich

medium that enhances the process of composting. Burrows and drilospheres created by earthworms

are abundant in microorganisms and full of readily available plant nutrients. The principle of the

vermiwash collecting unit is designed to allow the percolation of water through these passages and

hence collecting the nutrient and microorganisms along with it. Vermiwash was diluted to 10% and

found to be effective as plant foliar spray [1]. Leachate is produced due to the microorganism

activities that are present in the vermicomposting process. Draining the leachate that is produced can

prevent vermicomposting unit saturation. Regardless of that, leachate that is derived from it is said to

contain high plant nutrients and can be beneficial when used as liquid fertilizer [2]. Dilution of

vermicomposting leachate is advised to prevent plant damage such as scorching of leaves [3]. Indian

Borage (Plectranthus ambionicus) was chosen for the study due to its medicinal properties and has

been reported to exhibit fungitoxic properties [4]. There had been a study on compost leachates for

plant growth in hydroponics culture [5], but non on vermicomposting leachate and vermiwash in

hydroponics culture.

Methods

Set up A : Vermiwash

Vermiwash was prepared with reference to Ismail, 2005 [1]. A 50L plastic container with an

attached tap at the bottom of the container for vermiwash draining was used. Partially composted

cowdung was placed on top of the soil and afterwards, earthworms, Eudrilus eugeniae were

introduced. Moisture level was maintained with 1litre of water. To ensure minimal disturbance to the

drilosphere a dripping system was put in place.



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Set up B: Vermicomposting leachate

A rectangular shape plastic container was set up. The container was slightly tilted (45) at one end

and a drainage tap was installed at the bottom of container. Gravel were placed at the bottom of

container to prevent water saturation. Earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae were used. Water was sprinkled

when necessary to keep the reactor moist but not wet.

Vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate that collected were both stored in separate containers for

further use. The pH of samples was measured with a pH meter (Hach Sension 3), and the electrical

conductivity (EC) with Hach Sension 5. Both liquids were diluted to 10% (v/v) before using in

hydroponics of Indian Borage plantlets. Germination tests were conducted on vermiwash and

vermicomposting leachate with dilution of 10% on mung bean seed (Vigna radiata) to test for

phytotoxicity. A piece of filter paper was placed in the petri plate, 10 seeds of mung bean were

introduced. 3ml of the diluted vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate were poured in everyday.

Distilled water was used as control. The germination was observed for 72 hours, and the germinating

percentage was calculated. The samples were prepared in triplicate and were placed in the dark [6].

Vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate that diluted to 10% (v/v) were used in hydroponics of

Indian Borage plantlets. Distilled water was used in control. Photosynthetic pigments data were

collected.

Results and Discussion

The pH of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate are 7.3 0.17 and 7.4 0.18 respectively. The

value of pH are not significantly different. Leachate that obtained from using other raw material may

have higher or lower pH value. The results show that vermicomposting leachate exhibits higher

electrical conductivity (EC) value which is 1.66 0.02 dS m-1

if compared with vermiwash 1.48

0.07 dS m-1

. Electrical conductivity value indicates the concentrations of dissolved salts.

Fig 1: Sodium and Potassium concentration of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate. The values

are given as mean SD (standard deviation).

Figure 1 shows that vermicomposting leachate contains slightly higher amount of sodium (Na),

whereas vermiwash contains high value of potassium (K). Potassium, as one of the primary nutriets,

is needed in high amount for better plant growth.[7] Figure 2 shows that, germination percentage of

mung bean in 72 hours are highest in 10% vermiwash (80%) followed by treatment of 10%

vermicomposting leachate which is 60% . Germination test was carried out to determine the

phytotoxicity of the vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate. A germination percentage of >50% is

the indicator of the maturity of the compost [8]. Figure 3 reveals that Indian Borage that with 10%

vermiwash treatments have highest root and shoot length if compares and control shows the lowest in

values. It may indicate that vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate have potential to be used in

hydroponics of Indian Borage. Highest root and shoot length may be the results of high concentration

of potassium in vermiwash.

0

50

100

150

200

250

(mg/

L)

Vermiwash

Vermicomposting leachate

Na K



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Fig. 2: Germination percentage of control, 10% vermiwash and 10% vermicomposting leachate on

mung bean. The values are given as mean SD (standard deviation).

Fig 3: Root and shoot length of Indian Borage in control, 10% vermiwash and vermicomposting

leachate. The values are given as mean SD

Fig 4: Total chlorophyll content Borage in control, 10% vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate.

The values are given as mean SD

Toral chlorophyll content of Indian Borage was reported to be higher in vermiwash and

vermicomposting leachate treatment as compared to control. 10% vermiwash in treatment showed

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Control Vermiwash Vermicomposting leachate

%

Germination %

0

4

8

12

16

20


cm Root

Shoot

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8


mg

g-1

dry

wt

Total Chl



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highest content on total chlorophyll (Chlorophyll a + Chlorophyll b) (Fig 4). Indian Borage in 10%

vermiwash hydroponics also shows the highest concentration in carotenoids, followed by 10% of

vermicomposting leachate treatment (Fig 5). Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b

and carotenoids) work as an indicator of plant health as they are the main heavy metal toxicity

targeting site[9]. From the results, it can be said that heavy metal toxicity presence in vermiwash and

vermicomposting leachate are very low or minimal and does not show harm towards plant health. It

has also been reported that adequate amount of potassium supplied promotes the increment of

chlorophyll content in plant [10].

Fig 5: Carotenoids content of Indian Borage in hydroponics in control, 10% vermiwash and 10%

vermicomposting leachate. The values are given as mean SD

Conclusion

This study suggests that vermiwash and vermicomposing leachate derived from pre-composted cow

dung, , can be used in hydroponics culture of Indian Borage with dilution. Nutrients such as Na and K

are present in adequate amount in both solutions. Data on photosynthetic pigments of Indian Borage

show that the plantlets grown in these two are healthy. Hence confirmed that vermiwash and

vermicomposting leachate can be used in hydroponics culture with dilution on Indian Borage

plantlets.

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to extend their gratitude to USM Graduate Assistance Scheme for the

financial support throughout this study and to Prof. Sultan Ahmed Ismail for his moral support.

References

[1] S. A. Ismail. The Earthworm Book (Other India Press, Goa India 2005)

[2] M. Tejada, J.L. Gonzalez, M.T. Hernendez, C. Garcia. Agricultural use of leachates obtained

from two different vermicomposting processes. Bioresource Technology. Vol 99, (2008)

p.6228-6232

[3] J. Frederickson. Vermicomposting trial at the worm research centre: Part 1. Technical

evaluation Integrated Waste Systems. Open University. (2002)

[4] S. Pushpa, K. Ramalakshimi and P. Srinivas Fungitoxic activity of Indianborage

(Plectranthus amboinicus) volatiles. Food Chemistry Vol 114 (3) (2009), p. 1014-1018

[5] M. K. Jarecki, C. Chong and R.P. Voroney. Evaluation of Compost Leachates for Plant

Growth in Hydroponic Culture. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 28 (2005) p. 651-667

[6] G. Ranalli, G. Bottura, P. Taddei, M. Gavarani, R. Marchetti, and C. Sorlini. Composting of

Solid and Sludge Residues from Agricultural and Food Industries. Bioindicators of

0

0.04

0.08

0.12

0.16


mg

g-1

dry

wt

Carotenoids



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(2001) p.415-436

[7] B.L. Bumb and L.L.Hammond, Encyclopedia of Soil Science, 2nd

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Press 2005)

[8] S.P. Mathur, H. Dinel, G. Owen, M. Schnitzer, and J. Dugan. Determination of Compost

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[9] J.L. Hall. Cellular mechanisms for heavy metal detoxification and tolerance. Journal of

Experimental Botany. 53(366) p. 1-11 (2002)

[10] D. Zhao, Oosterhuis, D. M & Bednarz, C. W. Influence of potassium deficiency on

photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and chloroplast ultrastructure of cotton plants.

Photosynthetica, vol 39 (1): p.103 109. (2001)

effect of vermiwash and vermicomposting leachate in hydroponic growth of indian borage

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