Efficacy of Vermicast from Local Earthworms as Growing Media of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of vermicast from local earthworms as a growing medium for eggplant, with the goal of exploring the potential of organic fertilizers in boosting vegetable yields and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. It investigated the efficacy of vermicast derived from local earthworms in enhancing seed germination and seedling growth of eggplant using a randomized complete block design with four treatments and three replications. The experiment compared garden soil, vermicast, carbonized rice hull, and combinations of these growing media, evaluating germination percentage, seedling height, number of leaves, and leaf area. Results showed significant differences among treatments, with vermicast and carbonized rice hull exhibiting superior performance compared with garden soil. Carbonized rice hull showed the highest germination percentage in the second and third weeks, while vermicast from local earthworms led to the tallest seedlings and highest leaf area in subsequent weeks, suggesting its preference for cultivating eggplant seedlings. The study highlights the potential of vermicast from local earthworms as a sustainable and effective organic soil amendment for enhancing eggplant growth.