Vermicompost of the widespread and toxic xerophyte prosopis (Prosopis juliflora) is a benign organic fertilizer

Prior to the work described in this paper, no report has existed on the use of any xerophyte is generating vermicompost. Now these authors have been able to develop a process with which the highly invasive xerophyte prosopis (Prosopis juliflora) can be vermicomposted. But does prosopis vermicompost (PVC) have any fertilizer value, given that prosopis has strong allelopathy and toxicity? To seek an answer, the authors have assessed the effect of the PVC on the germination and early growth of five common food plants: brinjal (Solanum melongena), chilly (Capsicum annuum), cucumber (Cucumissativus), ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus), and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Thereafter the tomato and the brinjal plants were grown to fruition to assess their yield and nutrient value. Whereas no germination of any seed occurred when the soil was fortified with prosopis leaves, there was 20-100% germination of seeds in different plant species when fertilized with equivalent quantities of PVC. The carbohydrate, potassium, and magnesium contents of prosopis fertilized brinjal and tomato fruits were significantly (p ≤ 0.5) higher than the levels of these nutrients present in the market produce. The prosopis vermicompost displayed pest-repellant attributes as well. The findings indicate that the millions of tonnes of prosopis leaves, which have no utility value and of which falling on earth is harmful to the soil, can be used to generate organic fertilizer.

Keywords: Allelopathy; Lycopersicon esculentum; Organic fertilizer; Prosopis; Solanum melongena.