Effects of Vermicompost at Different Propositions on the Growth of Zea mays and Soil Fertility

Microcosm experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of vermicompost at different proportions on the growth of Zea mays and soil fertility in orchard and vegetable soil. The results showed that significant increases were observed in the height, the aboveground and underground biomass, chlorophyll SPAD, total N and K uptake in aboveground and underground parts of Z. mays with the addition of vermicompost (P<0.05).The height of Z. mays was at the highest level of 10% vermicompost in these two types soil. The aboveground and underground biomass were the maximum at the level of 5% vermicopmpost in the orchard soil and 10% vermicompost in garden soil, respectively. When the proportion of vermicompost was 20%, total N and K contents uptake in aboveground parts and total N uptake in underground parts of Z. mays were more remarkable than others. In addition, vermicompost adjusted soil pH. Contents of soil organic matter, available N,P and K increased significantly with the increasing ratio of vermicompost in soil (P<0.05). Principal component analysis showed significant differences in soil fertility between 20% vermicompost and control treatments in two types of soil. As a kind of environmental friendly fertilizer,the study confirmed the promise of vermicompost on crop production and soil fertilization. In the future, it is necessary to produce vermicompost by various agricultural organic wastes and perform suitable proposition of vermicompost according to soil properties.