چكيده لاتين :
Field experiments were conducted during 2002-2003 on clay loam, sandy loam and red loam soil at
Sivapuri, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, to evaluate the efficacy of vermicompost on the physico-chemical
and biological characteristics of the soils and on the yield and nutrient content of blackgram - Vigna
mungo, in comparison to inorganic fertilizers nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium. Vermicompost had
increased the pore space, reduced particle and bulk density, increased water holding capacity, cation
exchange capacity, reduced pH and electrical conductivity, increased organic carbon content, available
nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and microbial population and activity in all the soil types, particularly
clay loam. The yield and quality (protein and sugar content in seed) of blackgram was enhanced in soils,
particularly clay loam soil. On the contrary, the application of inorganic fertilizers has resulted in reduced
porosity, compaction of soil, reduced carbon and reduced microbial activity.