• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2009

In this paper, we assessed the growth of rice seedlings(Chucheong variety) in commercial organic growth medium that was substituted with different ratios of vermicast of oyster mushroom waste grown under potting alone, and potting and floor layering treatment. The commercial organic growth medium was substituted with vermicast at ratios of control, 2%, 4% and 6%, respectively. The control consisted of commercial organic growth medium alone without vermicast. Incorporation of $4%{\sim}6%$ vermicast of oyster mushroom waste into a commercial organic growth medium enhanced the growth of rice seedlings significantly as compared to commercial organic growth medium alone(control), and 2% amended with vermicast in potting treatment. This results demonstrate that substitution with low ratios of vermicast($4%{\sim}6%$) will promote growth of rice seedlings. The growth of rice seedlings in commercial organic growth medium alone without vermicast was enhanced significantly as compared to the substituted with vermicast in floor layering treatment, it may due to nutrient uptake by elongated root from the vermicast when applied to on the floor layering. Floor layering treatment is an effective method for potting processing of vermicast. The vermicast of oyster mushroom waste should have a high safety and great potential as materials of growth media for increasing plant growth, either as soil conditioner, or as substitution or amendments to commercial organic growth medium. For the enhanced growth of rice seedlings, demand to increase with total nitrogen, and decrease with the carbon and nitrogen ratio(C/N) of commercial organic growth medium supplied by such as vermicast.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.299-308
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• 2008

In this study, the effect of commercial organic growth medium amended with different ratios of vermicast on the growth of rice seedlings. The amended ratios of vermicast were 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 20% and 40%, respectively. A bioassay with two rice varieties (Chucheng and Black) was conducted to assesses the amendment effect of vermicast on the seedling growth in two potting methods. In potting treatment, the Chucheng variety with late maturity showed significantly higher values on growth parameters excepted root weight (RW) up to 20% and Black variety with early maturity up to 10% amended with vermicast, respectively. In floor layering treatment, all of the growth parameters significantly increased up to 5% amended with vermicast in both rice variety. The seedling growth of rice in floor layering treatment attained the highest values at lower amended ratios of vermicast than those of potting treated only, it may correspond with increased uptake of nutrient by elongated root grown under the layering amendment of vermicast. Vermicasts can be used as soil amendments or components of plant growth medium for seeding organic agriculture.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.68-76
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• 2010

In the green house, the effect of the mixed material of vermicast and humic acid on the growth of young raddish was investigated. 5, 10, 15, 30 or 50 kg(a.i.) of solid type humic acid was mixed with 300kg(d.w.) of vermicast/10a, each of which was applicated to the soil. And the conventional treatment(600kg of conventional organic fertilizer/10a) and untreatment plot were rendered for comparison. In all the experimental plots treated with vermicast, the number of leaves, leaf length, leaf biomass, root length, root diameter, root biomass of young raddish were higher than those in untreated plot. And in the experimental plots treated with the mixed materials of vermicast and humic acid, growth rate of young raddish was equal to or higher than that in the conventionally treated plot. Fresh biomass of leaves per leol' raddish in the plot treated with 300kg of vermicast + 5kg of humic acid was 1.79 times higher than that in the untreated plot and fresh biomass of root was 2.08 times higher, which was much more effective in its growth rate than that in any other treated plots. There were no prominent changes in soil physicochemical properties after the leol' raddish harvest from the soil treated with vermicast and humic acid, though.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.413-422
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different mixture ratios of vermicasts on the growth of leaf beet(Beta vulgaris var. cicla), young radish (Raphanus sativus L), spinach(Spinacia oleracea) and lettuce(Lactuca sativa) The mixture of ratios of vermicast(fermented pig manure with sawdust) and peatmoss were 100%+0%, 60%+40%, 40%+60% and 0%+100%(control), respectively. The bulk density, particle density, pH, electrolytic conductivity, ash, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, available phosphorous and exchangeable cations increased significantly compared to those grown in the 100% of peatmoss(control). The significantly higher values of plant length, leaf area, shoot dry weight, root weight, root length and biological yield obtained were $40{\sim}100%$ and 40% of vermicast in leaf beet and lettuce, respectively. The young radish and spinach showed that significantly differences of shoot dry weight, root weight and biological yield in the mixture ratios of vermicast were $40{\sim}60%$ and 40% in young radish and spinach, respectively.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.289-296
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• 2009

The effects of the processing mixture of pig manure and various organic wastes on the growth, cast production of earthworm, and conversion of organic matter to earthworm tissues by vermicomposting. The substances used in this experiments were sawdust, rice hull, coffee waste, brewery waste, litters, turfgrass cutting residues, rice bran, vegetable wastes and rice straw and were mixed with pig manure at a ratios of 50:50 (v/v), and pig manure 100% (control), respectively. The highest values of growth parameters, cast production and conversion efficiency of organic matter to earthworm tissues were obtained at the mixtures of pig manure with coffee waste, it may due to the favourable diet conditions to process with pig manure by vermicomposting. But, all of the earthworm died in the pig manure 100% (control) and pig manure with vegetable wastes treatments by vermicomposting was impossible in this experiment. The vermicast contained a higher values of total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable cations and cation exchange capacity than their parent materials with increased availability of nutrients and improved physicochemical properties.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.715-725
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• 2012

This study was performed to make the method of food waste manufacturing for feeding to earthworm and different ratio of earthworm cast was investigated for applying vegetable plants that cultivated in a family or roof garden. We made conventional treatment of gardening soil and prepared soils with earthworm cast (the only fertilizer) at 30, 50, 70 and 100% for planting vegetable plants and then we studied its growth feature. The treatment was repeated three times with 12 weeks for each time. The cultivation of radish and chinese cabbage were managed at the same cultivation level for RDA standard cultivation method, and each sample of soils and plants was analyzed by appropriate analysis method. The growth investigation was performed 12 week after planting, and as for growth characteristics, height, leaf diameter, leaf number, leaf length, fresh weight and dry weight were investigated. The chemical characteristics, soils and plants, were surveyed. As for the growth characteristics investigated, radish and chinese cabbage showed the biggest growth in 70% and 50% treatment with average growth of all characteristics, height, leaf diameter, leaf number, leaf length, fresh weight and dry weight, respectively. Applying these results, a new equation for vermicast recommendation for radish and Chinese cabbage in summer (June-August) was presented. The earthworm cast 50% level with the gardening soil showed the high production in chinese cabbage. In case of radish, earthworm cast 70% with gardening soil level showed great growth, significantly.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.369-383
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• 2012

This experiment was carried out to investigate the optimal stocking rate of earthworm populations grown under different stocking rates. The stocking rate in terms of ratio of biomass of earthworms to biomass of feeds(organic resources) is an important factors for biomass productivity of earthworms and vermicast production. The different stocking rates were 1:16(S-1), 1:32(S-2), 1:48(S-3) and 1:64(S-4), as the ratios of biomass of earthworm to biomass of organic dairy cow manure, respectively. The stocking rate of 1:32(S-2) and 1:46(S-3) were obtained a higher values on increasing rates and conversion efficiency of organic matter to earthworm biomass than other stocking rates. Thus, a stocking rates of 1:32 and 1:46 estimated an optimal stocking rates for maximum biomass productivity of earthworms. A stocking rate of 1:16(S-1) showed a significantly highest values of vermicast production and ratios of vermicasts during the rearing periods.($$P{\leq_-}0.05$$) A stocking rate of 1:48(S-3) showed a highest values of the number of cocoons and vermicasts production per earthworm biomass among the treatment ($$P{\leq_-}0.05$$) The contents of nitrogen, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity and exchangeable cations of vermicasts tended to increase with stocking rate and rearing progressed. Vermicasts have a great deal of potential for crop production and protection in sustainable organic cropping systems.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2013

Effects of pig manure with various composting periods(0, 15, 30, 50, 80 days) on feeding rate, biomass, cocoon production of earthworm(Eisenia fetida) population and physicochemical property of vermicast produced from pig manure were investigated. The feeding rate of earthworm was increased with longer composting period of pig manure. But the biomass production of earthworm population was highest upon the pig manure composted for 30 days. Upon the pig manure composted for 80 days, the biomass was severely reduced. Cocoon production was decreased with longer composting period and especially lower on the pig manure composted for 80 days. Values of pH, EC, C/N ratio of vermicasts produced from pig manure composts were lower than those of pig manures. And the organic material contents of vermicasts were uniformly reduced irrespective of composting duration of pig manure, whose values were 35.9-39.8%. From these results, the optimum composting period of pig manure for vermicomposting could be 15-30 days. And the application of vermicomposting upon the composted pig manure could be an efficient way for the treatment of pig feces, which can stabilize and recycle the organic wastes more rapidly than the conventional composting method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

This study is carried out to find the most optimal soil-plant combination in the urban agriculture by analyzing the association of soil base material which is being used in the urban agriculture with the growth of plants. 4 types of easily purchased soil (bed soil(A), animal vermicast soil(B), earth worm soil(C) and matured compost(D)) verified in aspects of effect and safety of soil in terms of growth of crop is selected as experimental soil and B, C, D type soils are mixed with granite soil at the ratio of 7 : 3. And granite soil(E) is set as a controlled soil and is compared to verify the effect of the experimental mixed soil. Herbaceous plants are classified into the fruit vegetables (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. and Capsicum annuum L.), leafy vegetables (Brassica campestris L. ssp. Pekinensis and Lactuca sativa L.), medicinal vegetables (Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum and Liriope platyphylla F. T. Wang & T. Tang). The results of comparison of growth of herbaceous plants in different soil types showed that fruit vegetables and leafy vegetables in general had excellent growth in D type soil mixture and A type soil in general and had the poorest growth in E type (controlled) soil. 'Chrysanthemum zawadskii var. latilobum' had the excellent growth in D type, B type, C type mixed soil and A type soil and E type (controlled) soil are followed in order. In the case of 'Liriope platyphylla F. T. Wang & T. Tang', the difference in growth by each soil was shown to be insignificant. Therefore, the soil applied in the urban agriculture varies depending on each species of herbaceous plants, but it is considered effective to cultivate herbaceous plant which is economical and productive by using D type mixed soil which can be recycled and inexpensive compared with other experimental soils in the urban agriculture.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.731-742
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• 2014

In the current study, we investigated effects of a combination of earthworm casting, environment-friendly by-product fertilizer, and cultivation soil of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii in a heavy fertilizing culture on diameter, height, numbers of tubercles, and chemical properties of soil thereby elucidating optimal mixture ratio for securing production as well as providing nutrients throughout cultivation period. The Gymnocalycium mihanovichii var 'Ihong', one of grafted cactus for export (Rootstock: 9 cm, Scion: $1.5{\times}1.3cm$ grafted cactus) was cultured in plastic houses of Agricultural Technology Center located in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul from June, 2013 through December, 2013. For the control group, a mixture of sand and fertilizer (50:50) was used as this ratio is widely utilized in farmhouses. In contrast, a variety mixtures of sand and earthworm casting that was produced with food wastes was compared; the mixture ratios were 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, and 0:100 and pH for these mixtures were found to be similar each other (ranging between 7.1 and 7.4) which is in an appropriate range (pH 6.5-7.5) for cultivation of G. mihanovichii. The organic content was increasing along with increasing contents of earthworm casting ratio while it was lower than the treatment practice group (32-43 mg/kg vs. 55 mg/kg). The content of exchangeable cation was also increasing as the ratio of earthworm casting was elevated; although levels of $K^+$, $Na^+$, and $Mg^{2+}$ were lower than the treatment practice group, the level of $Ca^{2+}$ was higher ($9.1cmol^+/kg$ and $11.5-33.7cmol^+/kg$ in the treatment practice group and the earthworm casting group, respectively). Three months after grafting, diameters of G. mihanovichii were compared with the control group; consequently, there was a significant difference noted in between the earthworm casting group and the control group (31.39 mm vs. 32.46-37.59 mm). After 5 months, growth characteristics of G. mihanovichii were evaluated. Similarly, the diameter of G. mihanovichii was significantly increasing in the group with higher ratio of earthworm casting treatment (32.63 mm vs. 32.49-37.59 mm). The height of tubercles was 2.63 mm in the control group while it was significantly elevating along with the ratio of earthworm casting mixture. The more numbers of tubercles, the more incomes for farm-houses; as results, higher mixture ration of earthworm casting resulted more numbers of tubercles compared to the control group (2.7 vs. 3.2-8.3 ea). In particular, in the earthworm casting groups with 80% and 100% ratios, the numbers of tubercles were 6.2 and 8.3 ea, respectively, which is 2.5 times more than those of the control group. These results indicate that earthworm casting treatment may be utilized in G. mihanovichii farming houses for short term production of tubercles. In the group with 40% and 60% of earthworm casting mixture, the numbers of tubercles were found to be 4.5 and 4.8 ea, respectively which is higher than the control group as well; in these groups, there were no issues with soil drainage as well as moss formation. Given the analysis results of growth characteristics of G. mihanovichii, it was concluded that 40% and 60% of earthworm casting mixture might be the optimal ratios.