North Eastern States are by default the organic states with the major area coming under the jhum cultivation which is the source of livelihood for the farmers. Productivity of crops grown in jhum is very low as the crops face many challenges including abiotic (e.g. water stress, nutrient stress, acidity etc.) and biotic stresses (e.g. diseases, insect pest and weeds). To tackle these stresses in organic states “Vermiwash” may be an alternate option as it is having the potential of both as a biofertilizer as well as the biocide due to the presence of antibiosis compounds. It is the integral part of non-chemical farming system and eco-friendly in nature. It is a liquid extract collected after the passage of water through a column of worm activation and rich in macro and micro nutrients (Table 1), plant growth hormones (e.g. auxins and cytokinin) and beneficial microorganism viz., heterotropic bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes including nitrogen fixers, phosphate solubulisers and enzymes. A foliar spray of vermiwash is considered as the quick supply of nutrients to higher plants as compared to the soil and root application and is suitable in water scarcity areas. It stimulates the growth and yield of crops and develop resistance to various stresses. Vermiwash can also be used for root or stem dip before transplanting or as a soil drenching to control soil borne diseases.
Extraction of Vermiwash: Low cost vermiwash unit can be set up in a plastic barrel of 15-20 liter capacity. A hole is drilled on one side of bottom of the barrel and a tap is attached to it to draw the extract. The whole setup is mounted on a suitable height with support and a layer of broken bricks or pebbles are filled up to 25 to 30 cm inside the barrel followed by 20 – 30 cm layer of coarse sand or garden soil. This layer serves as the base of the filter unit. Over this 30–45 cm layer of good loamy soil is kept moistened. In this layer, earthworms are introduced (around 2000 in number) and cowdung and hay are placed on the top of this layer and it is moistened every day.
Watery yellowish to black extract of vermiwash drain out of the barrel drop by drop can be collected. To get vermiwash suspend a small bucket with small holes so that water can trickle down continuously. After 10 days vermiwash starts forming and every day 4-5 liters can be collected in the container. The collected vermiwash is ready to use as a foliar spray on crops. Vermiwash unit may also be established with vermi-composting beds for large scale production.
Method for Use: Vermiwash can be used in three ways, they are:
Root dip or stem dip: Seedlings before transplanting can be dipped in vermiwash diluted 5 times with water for 15-20 minutes and then transplanted. Similarly the cuttings can also be dipped in the solution before planting.
Foliar spray: Vermiwash is diluted in water 5 times and sprayed on the foliage of crops. It provides the plant with vital nutrients as well as acts as the biocide.
Soil drench: Vermiwash is diluted 10 times with water and the soil is drenched with the solution to prevent some of the soil borne pathogens.
Bio-control properties: Microbial population present in the vermiwash act as the powerful biocontrol agent due to the production of antibiotics and secretion of extracellular enzymes such as chitinase and lipase which cause lysis of fungal and bacterial phytopathogens. It has the biocontrol traits against Botrytis ceneria, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Corticium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Erysiphe spp. Besides pathogens, insects and pest like aphids, jassids, caterpillars etc. can also be controlled.
CHRISTY B.K. SANGMA, Scientist, Soil Science ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre Jharnapani, Medziphema
